Chief Information Officer

The Chief Information Officer (CIO) serves as the strategic architect of the University’s digital ecosystem, providing the vision, leadership, and operational oversight necessary to advance the institution’s technological capabilities. Reporting to the Vice President Finance and Operations (VPFO) executive team, the CIO leads a high-performing team of IT specialists and assumes executive accountability for the University’s cybersecurity posture and data privacy.

This role is instrumental in championing modern technical architectures and emerging technologies that increase institutional agility while proactively mitigating risk within a technologically diverse and complex environment.

The CIO establishes and matures a robust IT governance framework, ensuring that digital investments are transparent, prioritized, and purposefully aligned with the University’s unique educational and research missions. By partnering with academic departments, students, senior leadership, and external vendors, the CIO drives a long-term, sustainable view of the IT portfolio. Ultimately, the role focuses on delivering value and fostering a culture of digital excellence that supports the evolving needs of modern learners, faculty, and staff in a postsecondary landscape.

Primary Position Outcomes Strategic Leadership & Innovation

The CIO defines and socializes a forward-looking digital vision that aligns the University’s technology roadmap with its long-term strategic goals. By chairing the evolution of IT capabilities, the CIO ensures that technology serves as a catalyst for institutional growth rather than a utility. This involves driving a clear digital transformation vision that balances the need for complex, large-scale change with the requirement for high-availability service delivery. The CIO acts as a resident futurist, analyzing emerging global trends and cybersecurity threats to challenge traditional thinking and advocate for solutions that enhance the University’s competitive edge.

Strategic Partnerships & Governance

A central pillar of this role is the cultivation of deep, collaborative relationships across academic and administrative departments. The CIO serves as an expert consultant to the campus community, guiding technological direction through influence and business acumen. Beyond the campus, the CIO represents the University within provincial agencies and across the post‑secondary sector to share resources and identify collaborative opportunities. These efforts are underpinned by a robust IT governance framework that uses industry-standard methodologies to prioritize investments, manage the project portfolio, and maintain transparent communication regarding digital risks and opportunities.

Operational Excellence & Fiscal Stewardship

The CIO is responsible for the integrity and performance of the University’s digital infrastructure. By standardizing environments and maturing IT processes, the role identifies efficiencies that improve data integration and system reliability. In collaboration with the VP Finance, the CIO provides rigorous fiscal oversight for operating and capital budgets. This includes articulating the financial impact of proposed initiatives, ensuring accurate quarterly forecasting, and managing multi-year investment cycles to ensure the scalability and longevity of the University’s technological assets.

Digital Security, Risk & Human Capital

The CIO maintains executive accountability for the University’s enterprise security program, ensuring the protection of all digital assets and the privacy of institutional data. This includes the development of comprehensive disaster recovery protocols and proactive lifecycle management to reduce technical debt and vendor risk. At the heart of the IT organization, the CIO leads a diverse team of specialists, fostering a culture of transparency, mentorship, and high performance. Through modern human resource management and effective team structuring, the CIO empowers staff to meet the evolving needs of a technologically diverse campus.

Qualifications & Experience Required

A University degree in Information Technology, Computer Science, Business Administration, or a related field.

Minimum of ten years of progressive leadership experience in complex IT organizations, with a proven track record of executive-level strategy development.

Advanced financial management skills with experience overseeing multi-million-dollar capital and operating budgets.

Exceptional ability to lead through influence, negotiate high-stakes contracts, and resolve complex organizational conflicts.

A critical thinker with superior problem-solving abilities and the courage to make difficult, data-driven decisions.

Masterful communication skills, with the ability to translate complex technical concepts into business value for executive and Board-level stakeholders.

Proven experience in mentoring high-performing teams and fostering an inclusive, service-oriented departmental culture.

An uncompromising commitment to service excellence and the student experience.

Flexibility to travel as required to represent the University at provincial or national technology forums.

Preferred

Deep understanding of the BC post‑secondary landscape, including knowledge of provincial privacy legislation (FOIPPA) and shared service models.

A successful track record of leading digital transformation initiatives specifically within a mid‑sized, specialized academic institution.

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