Get to Know our Client: Indiana Wesleyan University (IWU)
Indiana Wesleyan University (IWU) is a Christ-centered institution committed to transforming lives through higher education. With a rich history rooted in the Wesleyan tradition, IWU is dedicated to academic excellence, spiritual growth, and preparing students for meaningful careers. The university offers a wide range of undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral programs, both on-campus and online, empowering students to pursue their calling in various fields, from healthcare and business to the arts and sciences.
Located in Marion, Indiana, with a strong online presence serving a global community, IWU is focused on fostering a supportive and inclusive environment that integrates faith with learning. Their innovative approach to education not only equips students with the knowledge and skills necessary for professional success but also nurtures their spiritual and personal growth.
IWU is passionate about its mission to create transformative leaders who impact the world with a Christ-centered perspective. Whether students are studying in person on the vibrant campus or virtually from around the world, IWU continues to inspire lifelong learning and leadership in a rapidly changing world.
POSITION OVERVIEW
The Vice President of Information Technology and Chief Information Officer's primary role is to provide vision, leadership, strategic planning, and oversight for information technology and associated data throughout all functions and locations of Indiana Wesleyan University. In addition, the VP/CIO guides the progressive maturity of technology and data to enable students, faculty, staff, administrators, and community members to be freed from tasks that technology does well and empowered to achieve beyond what would otherwise be possible. This leader guides IWU's process of applying technology and data analysis to enhance student learning, provide efficiencies for IWU operations, and increase data-informed decision-making.
This forward-thinking, strategic leader oversees University Information Technology (UIT) while engaging with leaders, faculty, staff, and students in an integrated enterprise approach to workflow, process, data management, technology, and culture. The VP/CIO establishes innovative, agile, and flexible technology tools and services to support learning and discovery; coordinates enterprise-wide change management efforts; oversees the Enterprise Project Management Office (EPMO), and serves as an advisor and strategic partner in implementing IWU's strategic plans related to technology and data. Through partnerships and alignment with the President's Cabinet, the VP/CIO leverages technology and data to build business value and engage intentionally through strategic initiatives that differentiate IWU as a leader in Christian higher education.
Critical to this role is the identification and leadership of innovative and emerging technology solutions implemented across the institution. This VP/CIO must have the ability to work collegially in the development of those initiatives. Must be an effective communicator to a broad range of constituencies is an essential requirement of this position. This VP/CIO must be able to identify and develop leaders within the IT organization.
REPORTING RELATIONSHIP
Reports to the Executive Vice President & Chief Innovation and Strategy Officer.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
- Be an Industry Thought Leader
- Develop and share a strategic vision for the department that supports university goals
- Partner with university senior leaders to use data and digital tools for institutional growth
- Collaborate with unit leaders to align data and resources for greater efficiency across IWU enterprise
- Coordinate change management efforts related to technology, systems, and data
- Oversee Enterprise Project Management Office activities to execute key initiatives
- Ensure efficient delivery of information services to the university
- Cultivate a culture of innovation and excellence
- Develop and steward the IT budget and long-term financial planning to meet current and future technology needs
- Through the university governance framework, work with units and executive leadership to prioritize IT projects, ensuring alignment and awareness across the university
- Partner with units to review and simplify key business processes and workflows to foster enterprise alignment, simplify, gain efficiencies, and optimize the University's IT investment and efforts
- Foster positive customer interactions and continuously improve customer service practices for faculty, staff, and students
- Recruit and continuously develop a high-performing IT team, with emphasis on collaboration, creativity and community
- Facilitate IT participation on university committees
- Prepare the university for new technology trends and educate stakeholders on their impact
- Be an industry Thought Leader
- Champion innovation and technologies to support the institutional mission
- Represent the university in professional organizations; attain and maintain appropriate credentials pertinent to technology, project and change management, and higher education
- Other duties as assigned.
SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY
Staff Employee Supervisory Responsibility
- Hires (makes hiring decisions)
- Oversees work (direct work activities)
- Evaluates work (completes performance reviews/addresses performance concerns)
Staff supervisory responsibilities includes:
- UIT Budget Coordinator
- Information Security Officer
- Administrative Assistant for UIT
- Enterprise Architect
- Deputy CIO and Executive Director of Infrastructure and Enterprise Applications
- Deputy CIO and Executive Director of Client and Engagement Services
Requirements
Education
- MS in Computer Science or related information technology field, or other relevant Masters degree. Significant experience in business theory application is required.
Experience
- 10+ years of IT leadership experience working in a complex enterprise
- Ability to work with colleagues from diverse communities and cultures
- Experience in strategic planning and execution
- Knowledge of higher education, business theory, processes, and operations
- High-level understanding of data standards, IT hardware, software, and systems, both in-house and delegated services and support
- Understanding of computer systems characteristics, features, and integration capabilities
- Experience with systems design and development from current state, and business requirements analysis to implementation, integration, and ongoing management
- Proven experience in IT planning, organization, project, and change management leadership
- Experience in identifying and cultivating employees for career advancement.
Required Skills
- Collaborative leadership style
- Commitment to diversity and equity
- Innovative and forward-thinking
- Experience with budget development and management
- Strong negotiating and contract management skills
- Analytical, evaluative, and problem-solving skills
- Ability to explain technical information to non-technical people
- Ability to apply technology to solve business problems
- Team building and staff development skills
- Ability to manage multiple priorities in a results-oriented environment
- Excellent interpersonal skills, including written and oral communication
- Understanding of project management principles
- Experience in change management principles and techniques
- Knowledge of and commitment to the organization's goals and objectives
- In-depth knowledge of IT-related laws and regulations
- Proven leadership ability
- Self-motivated and directed
- Commitment to service excellence
According to Indiana Wesleyan University's employment policy, all employees must possess a strong Christian commitment and adhere to the standards outlined in the IWU Community Lifestyle Statement. As an educational institution operating under The Wesleyan Church, Indiana Wesleyan University reserves and exercises its privileges under applicable law to prefer employees on the basis of religion and who are the best suited to its religious purpose.