Chief Information Officer

Job Purpose

To provide strategic technology leadership and serve as the senior IT executive at Charleston Southern University, aligning technology initiatives with the University’s academic mission and operational goals while fostering a culture of innovation, collaboration, and Christian values. This role ensures the effective acquisition, deployment, and management of technology resources across the institution, enabling academic excellence and operational efficiency in support of the University’s Christian mission. This position directly supervises IT staff and is responsible for developing, mentoring, and leading the University’s information technology team.

Essential duties and responsibilities

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Other duties or tasks may be assigned as required. Management may modify, change or add to the duties of this description at any time without notice.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The essential duties and responsibilities include the following:

Strategic Leadership

• Develop and execute a comprehensive IT strategic plan aligned with the university’s mission and growth objectives
• Serve as a campus leader, advising on technology trends, risks, and opportunities
• Lead digital transformation initiatives across academic and administrative functions

IT Operations & Infrastructure

• Oversee campus-wide IT systems, including networks, cloud services, enterprise applications, and data centers
• Ensure high availability, performance, and scalability of IT services
• Manage vendor relationships, contracts, and technology procurement

Cybersecurity & Risk Management

• Establish and maintain a robust cybersecurity program to protect institutional data and systems
• Ensure compliance with relevant regulations (e.g., FERPA, HIPAA where applicable)
• Lead incident response and disaster recovery planning

Academic & Administrative Technology

• Support instructional technologies, learning management systems, and online education platforms
• Collaborate with faculty to enhance teaching through technology
• Oversee ERP systems (e.g., student information, finance, HR systems)

Data Governance & Analytics

• Promote data-driven decision-making through analytics and reporting tools
• Ensure data integrity, governance, and accessibility across departments

Leadership & Team Management

• Lead and mentor IT staff, fostering a culture of innovation, service, and continuous improvement
• Develop staffing plans, training programs, and performance management processes
• Manage IT budget and ensure cost‑effective use of resources

Key Competencies

• Strategic thinking and visionary leadership
• Strong communication and stakeholder engagement skills
• Change management and organizational leadership
• Financial and operational acumen
• Commitment to the university’s Christian mission and values

Supervisory relationships

• Reports to the Chief Financial Officer.
• Directly supervises all Information Technology staff.

Knowledge, skills, and abilities

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required to do so. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Confidentiality requirements

This position requires the individual to have access to confidential records and information. To successfully perform this position, confidentiality of the information with which the individual has contact must be maintained.

Physical demands

• Ability to lift, push and pull up to 50lbs
• Ability to sit and stand for long periods at a time
• Ability to crawl under desk for any technology need

Work environment

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Equipment, tools, computer systems, etc.

• Higher education ERP and administrative systems (e.g., Jenzabar)
• Learning management systems (e.g., Arctic Wolf)
• Network infrastructure, cybersecurity tools, and cloud platforms (e.g., Microsoft 365, Azure, AWS)
• IT service management and help desk platforms (e.g., Top Desk)
• Microsoft Office Suite proficiency

Required

• Bachelor’s degree in Information Technology, Computer Science, or related field (Master’s preferred)
• 8–12+ years of progressive IT leadership experience, preferably in higher education
• Demonstrated success in strategic planning, IT governance, and large‑scale system implementations
• Strong understanding of cybersecurity frameworks and regulatory compliance

Preferred

• Experience in higher education or mission‑driven organizations
• Familiarity with cloud platforms, ERP systems (Jenzabar), and LMS platforms (Blackboard and Canvas)
• Knowledge of emerging technologies (AI, data analytics, digital learning tools)

CHARLESTON SOUTHERN IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

Charleston Southern University is a Christian university and tobacco‑free campus. We do not illegally discriminate based on race, age, color, national or ethnic origin, disability, sex, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions (including but not limited to lactation), religion, genetic information, veteran or military status, or any other basis on which the university is prohibited from discrimination under local, state or federal law, in its employment or in the provision of its services, including but not limited to its programs and activities, admissions, educational policies, scholarship and loan programs, and athletic and university‑administered programs. In order to fulfill its purpose, the university may legally discriminate on the basis of religion in employment.

The university has been granted exemption from certain regulations promulgated under Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 which conflict with the University’s religious tenets and core values.