Employment Opportunities
Vice President & Chief Information Officer
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Posting Details
Title Information
Security Sensitive Position? Yes
Hours of Work 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM M-F
Position Details
Position Information
Posting Number TSU203740
Official TSU Title Vice President & Chief Information Officer
Grant Title N/A
Job Description Summary / TWC Summary
Job Summary:
The Chief Information Officer (CIO) provides executive leadership for the
strategic and operational direction of all information technology functions at
Texas Southern University (Texas Southern). The CIO serves as the senior
technology officer of the University, with cabinet-level responsibility for
ensuring that technology investments, capabilities, and governance align with
the Ascend 2030 strategic plan and the institution's broader mission.
The CIO is responsible for the development and execution of the University's
information technology strategy, the modernization of core administrative and
academic systems, the security and resilience of the technology environment,
and the cultivation of a technology workforce capable of supporting both day-
to-day operations and long-term institutional transformation. The role
requires balancing immediate operational priorities with multi-year
modernization commitments, and partnering closely with academic, financial,
and administrative leadership to advance institutional outcomes.
Distinguishing Characteristics:
The CIO will lead the next phase of enterprise technology at Texas
Southern, with the opportunity to advance enterprise IT governance, develop
distributed technology capability across functional areas, modernize
institutional systems including the ERP platform, and lead the integration of
advanced technologies including artificial intelligence as set out in
strategic plan.
Essential Duties Summary Strategic Leadership and Institutional Alignment:
Provide executive leadership for the development and execution of the
University's information technology strategy, ensuring alignment with the
strategic plan and the four guiding priorities: Student Achievement and
Outcomes, Academic Research and Innovation, Operational Excellence, and
Technology and Artificial Intelligence.
Serve as the principal technology advisor to the President, Provost, Chief
Administrative Officer, Chief Financial Officer, and the Board of Regents
on matters of technology strategy, investment, risk, and capability.
Lead institutional decision-making on the modernization of financial,
human resources, and information technology systems as called for in the
strategic plan, including platform direction for the ERP environment,
modernization sequencing, and partner ecosystem strategy.
Develop and maintain a multi-year technology roadmap that balances
operational stability, modernization, and strategic transformation, with
clear accountability mechanisms and measurable outcomes.
Represent Texas Southern's interests in external technology and higher
education forums, including the Texas higher education technology
community, the HBCU technology leadership network, and relevant state and
national higher education organizations.
Governance and Institutional Decision-Making:
Chair a standing enterprise IT governance forum with cross-functional
representation from Finance, Registrar, Admissions, Financial Aid, Human
Resources, Academic Affairs, and Research, providing the institutional
venue for technology investment prioritization, risk assessment, and
platform-direction decisions.
Develop and maintain enterprise IT policies, standards, and procedures
consistent with state of Texas requirements, FERPA, GLBA, HIPAA where
applicable, and the University's compliance and audit posture.
Define and execute a technology investment review process that ensures
alignment between technology spend, institutional priorities, and
measurable outcomes.
Lead institutional decision processes for major technology directions,
including platform migration evaluations, vendor selection, and
architecture decisions, working with business-side leadership rather than
absorbing decisions into the IT organization.
Enterprise Applications and ERP Modernization:
Provide executive sponsorship for the modernization of Texas Southern's
enterprise applications portfolio, with particular emphasis on the
Ellucian Banner environment, the institutional reporting and analytics
layer, and the integration architecture connecting Banner to the broader
application ecosystem.
Lead the institutional evaluation of platform direction for the ERP
environment, including options across managed cloud, SaaS migration, and
hybrid configurations, ensuring that business-side functional leaders are
direct participants in evaluation and decision.
Lead the ongoing stewardship of the Banner application environment,
including structured documentation, knowledge transfer practices, and
longer-term strategies for configuration alignment with evolving
institutional needs and vendor product direction.
Manage the strategic relationship with Ellucian as the institution's
primary ERP vendor, including contract structure, escalation paths,
roadmap influence, and the establishment of quarterly strategic dialogue
alongside the existing operational cadence.
Ensure that integration platforms, identity governance, and data services
support the institution's reporting, compliance, and student-success
goals.
Security, Risk, and Compliance:
Ensure the security, integrity, availability, and resilience of Texas
Southern's information assets, technology systems, and data, including
federally regulated student records (FERPA), financial aid data,
financial systems data, and research data.
Maintain a mature information security program covering identity and
access management, privileged access controls, vulnerability management,
security monitoring and incident response, and security awareness across
the institution.
Lead the institution's approach to disaster recovery and business
continuity, ensuring documented and tested recovery procedures for
critical systems including Banner and dependent applications.
Maintain robust institutional visibility into the security posture of
hosting, SaaS, and managed-services providers, with contractual structures
that support timely security event communication and shared
accountability.
Ensure technology compliance with state of Texas requirements (DIR, TAC
202), federal requirements (FERPA, GLBA, where applicable HIPAA), and
applicable accreditation and audit requirements.
Organization, Talent, and Capability:
Lead, develop, and inspire the Office of Information Technology, providing
direction and mentorship to the OIT leadership team and technology
professionals across the Enterprise Engagement, Enterprise Solutions,
Enterprise Technology, and Enterprise Applications domains.
Build distributed business-side technology capability by partnering with
functional areas (Finance, Registrar, Admissions, Financial Aid, HR,
Research) to embed analyst-level expertise within business units rather
than concentrating all technology expertise in OIT.
Develop an internal technology training program that builds institutional
capability in the use of Banner and adjacent systems, reducing dependence
on external consulting and conference-driven learning.
Strengthen structured knowledge transfer practices that build durable
institutional capability across the technology workforce and partner
ecosystem.
Cultivate an inclusive, mission-aligned technology workforce that reflects
the diversity and values of the Texas Southern community.
Advanced Technology and Innovation:
Lead Texas Southern's institutional approach to the integration of
advanced technologies, including artificial intelligence, across academic
and operational systems as identified in the strategic plan.
Develop a responsible AI governance framework appropriate to a public HBCU
institution, addressing academic integrity, research ethics, equity
considerations, data privacy, and operational use cases.
Identify, evaluate, and pilot emerging technologies that could materially
advance student success outcomes, operational efficiency, research
productivity, or institutional resilience.
Partner with Academic Affairs and faculty leadership to support
technology-enabled teaching, learning, and research, ensuring that
institutional infrastructure supports the academic mission.
Financial Stewardship and Vendor Management:
Develop and manage the annual technology budget, identifying opportunities
for efficiency, consolidation, and reallocation in support of
institutional priorities.
Establish a strategic approach to vendor portfolio management, including
consolidated procurement strategies, total cost of ownership analysis, and
vendor performance accountability.
Lead negotiations and structuring of major technology contracts, including
hosting, software licensing, professional services, and strategic
partnerships, in coordination with Texas Southern procurement and
applicable state procurement frameworks.
Maintain visibility into the institution's full technology contract
portfolio, including renewals, license footprints, escalations, and
contractual obligations regarding security, data, and service levels.
Communication and Stakeholder Engagement:
Communicate technology strategy, priorities, and progress clearly and
credibly to a wide range of constituencies including the President's
cabinet, Board of Regents, deans, faculty, students, staff, and external
stakeholders.
Translate between technical and non-technical audiences, ensuring that
institutional leadership has the information needed to make sound
technology investment and direction decisions.
Build and maintain effective working relationships across the institution,
including the President's office, the Provost, the Chief Administrative
Officer, the Chief Financial Officer, the Controller, the Registrar, the
Director of Financial Aid, deans of the academic schools, and the Board of
Regents.
% FTE 1.0
Hiring Range Commensurate with experience.
Education Master's degree from an accredited institution in computer science, information systems, business administration, public administration, engineering, or a related field.
Required Licensing/Certification N/A
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Characteristic and Qualities: Beyond technical and managerial qualifications, the following personal and professional qualities are particularly important to the success of the CIO at Texas Southern University. These reflect the specific institutional context, the current state of the technology environment, and the demands of the Ascend 2030 strategic plan.
1. Forward-Looking Leadership
The CIO will lead the next chapter of enterprise technology at Texas
Southern, advancing governance, business-side capability, and strategic vendor
partnerships. The successful candidate is energized by the opportunity to
build durable institutional capabilities and to lead the integration of
advanced technologies in service of the University's mission. This is a
forward-looking role with significant scope to shape outcomes.
2. Strategic Patience and Operational Discipline
The technology decisions ahead of Texas Southern including platform
direction, customization remediation, AI integration are multi-year
commitments that do not resolve in any single budget cycle. At the same time,
day-to-day operations cannot be compromised. The CIO must hold both horizons
simultaneously: the discipline to deliver on near-term commitments and the
patience to advance multi-year transformation through institutional decision
cycles.
3. Mission Alignment
Texas Southern University's mission of educational access, leadership
development, and economic mobility for the communities it serves is
foundational to every institutional decision. The CIO must understand and be
energized by this mission, and able to articulate how technology investments
and capabilities advance it.
4. Cross-Functional Communication and Translation
Technology at Texas Southern is a cross-functional enterprise. The CIO must
communicate effectively with cabinet-level academic and administrative
leadership, with deans and department chairs, with functional business leaders
in Finance and the Registrar, with faculty and students, with the Board of
Regents, and with external state and accreditation bodies. The ability to
translate between technical detail and institutional consequence in both
directions is essential.
5. Distributed Leadership Posture
Strengthening business-side technology capability calls for a CIO who
partners with functional leaders in Finance, the Registrar, Admissions,
Financial Aid, HR, and Academic Affairs, sharing decision-making authority and
developing technology fluency across the institution. This requires
confidence, generosity, and a leadership posture comfortable with shared
accountability and are qualities that translate the institution's
collaborative culture into effective technology outcomes.
6. Comfort with Open Institutional Questions
The CIO will lead institutional evaluation of several significant
technology directions, including the strategic evolution of the ERP platform,
the pace and shape of SaaS adoption, and the approach to integrating
artificial intelligence across academic and operational systems. The role
calls for the analytical rigor and decision frameworks that enable sound
institutional choice, combined with the leadership presence to engage diverse
stakeholders constructively.
7. Vendor Management Sophistication
Texas Southern operates significant vendor relationships, including with
Ellucian as its primary ERP partner. The CIO is expected to operate strategic
vendor relationships at multiple levels: operational cadence for incident and
change management, periodic strategic dialogue on roadmap and platform
direction, contract review for commercial structure, and clear escalation
channels for material issues. The role calls for sophistication across the
broader vendor portfolio as well.
8. Personal Resilience and Public Visibility
Senior technology leadership at a public university is a publicly visible
role. The CIO will be accountable for outcomes, present at Board of Regents
and cabinet meetings, and visible to faculty, students, and external
constituencies. The role requires personal resilience, comfort with public
accountability, and the judgment to operate with integrity in a politically
and institutionally complex environment.
9. Commitment to People Development
Texas Southern's technology workforce includes experienced staff with deep
institutional knowledge, talented newer staff with current technical skills,
and partnerships with consulting and managed-services firms. The CIO is
expected to value, develop, and retain this workforce, with attention to
knowledge sharing, structured development paths, and the thoughtful
integration of partner capabilities alongside internal capability.
Work Experience Required Qualifications:
Minimum of 12 years of progressively responsible information technology
leadership experience, with at least 5 years at the senior executive level
(CIO, Deputy CIO, Vice President of IT, or equivalent).
Demonstrated experience leading enterprise technology in a higher
education institution, including direct accountability for the operation,
modernization, or implementation of a higher-education ERP environment
(Ellucian Banner, Workday Student, Oracle PeopleSoft Campus Solutions, or
equivalent).
Demonstrated experience in establishing and operating enterprise IT
governance, including cross-functional steering committees, technology
investment review processes, and institutional decision frameworks.
Demonstrated experience managing strategic vendor relationships in higher
education, including ERP vendors, managed services providers, and SaaS
partners, with accountability for contract structure, performance, and
roadmap alignment.
Strong working knowledge of information security frameworks (ISO 27001,
NIST CSF, SOC 2) and applicable higher education regulatory frameworks
(FERPA, GLBA, HIPAA where applicable).
Experience leading and developing technology organizations with multiple
functional domains, including application services, infrastructure,
security, end-user services, and project management.
Demonstrated success leading institutional change initiatives in a
complex, multi-stakeholder environment.
Preferred Qualifications:
Direct experience with Ellucian Banner (Finance, Student, Financial Aid,
HR), including managed cloud, SaaS, or on-premises configurations.
Experience operating in a public higher education context subject to state
reporting, audit, and procurement requirements, with familiarity
navigating institutional and regulatory environments comparable to Texas
public higher education.
Experience at an institution or organization with a mission centered on
educational access and economic mobility.
Experience leading or sponsoring an institutional ERP modernization, SaaS
migration, or major platform transition.
Experience establishing or participating in higher education AI
governance, advanced analytics, or institutional research and reporting
transformation.
Industry-recognized certifications in IT governance, information security,
or technology leadership (e.g., CGEIT, CISM, CISSP, EDUCAUSE Leading
Change, ITIL).
Active engagement in higher education technology professional communities
(EDUCAUSE, HBCU CIO Network, Texas higher education CIO community).
Working/Environmental Conditions Work Environment and Physical Demand:
Working conditions involve a standard office environment with frequent
interaction with executive leadership, state agencies, auditors,
suppliers, and campus stakeholders. Occasional evening and weekend work
may be required.
Physical demands include prolonged sitting, use of computer equipment, and
occasional lifting of materials. Position requires periodic travel for
professional development, state procurement and finance conferences,
regulatory meetings, and representation of the University before external
organizations and governmental entities.
This job description is intended to be generic in nature and describe the
essential functions of the job. It is not necessarily an exhaustive list
of all duties and responsibilities. The essential duties, functions and
responsibilities may vary based on the specific tasks assigned to the
position.
Desired start date
Position End Date (if temporary)
Posting Detail Information
UA EEO Statement It is the policy of Texas Southern University to provide a work environment that is free from discrimination for all persons regardless of race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, individuals with disability, sexual orientation, or protected veteran status in its programs, activities, admissions or employment policies. This policy of equal opportunity is strictly observed in all University employment-related activities such as advertising, recruiting, interviewing, testing, employment training, compensation, promotion, termination, and employment benefits. This policy expressly prohibits harassment and discrimination in employment based on race, color, religion, gender, gender identity, genetic history, national origin, individuals with disability, age, citizenship status, or protected veteran status. This policy shall be adhered to in accordance with the provisions of all applicable federal, state and local laws, including, but not limited to, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act.
Manual of Administrative Policies and Procedures
Close Date
Open Until Filled (overrides close field) Yes
Special Instructions to Applicants Open to all applicants.
Posting Supplemental Questions
Required fields are indicated with an asterisk ().
Do you have a Master's degree from an accredited institution in computer science, information systems, business administration, public administration, engineering, or a related field?
Yes
No
Do you have a minimum of twelve (12) years of progressively responsible information technology leadership experience, with at least five (5) years at the senior executive level (CIO, Deputy CIO, Vice President of IT, or equivalent)?
Yes
No
Do you have demonstrated experience leading enterprise technology in a higher education institution, including direct accountability for the operation, modernization, or implementation of a higher-education ERP environment (Ellucian Banner, Workday Student, Oracle PeopleSoft Campus Solutions, or equivalent)?
Yes
No
Do you have demonstrated experience in establishing and operating enterprise IT governance, including cross-functional steering committees, technology investment review processes, and institutional decision frameworks?
Yes
No
Do you have demonstrated experience managing strategic vendor relationships in higher education, including ERP vendors, managed services providers, and SaaS partners, with accountability for contract structure, performance, and roadmap alignment?
Yes
No
Do you have strong working knowledge of information security frameworks (ISO 27001, NIST CSF, SOC 2) and applicable higher education regulatory frameworks (FERPA, GLBA, HIPAA where applicable)?
Yes
No
Do you have experience leading and developing technology organizations with multiple functional domains, including application services, infrastructure, security, end-user services, and project management?
Yes
No
Do you have demonstrated success leading institutional change initiatives in a complex, multi-stakeholder environment?
Yes
No
Do you have direct experience with Ellucian Banner (Finance, Student, Financial Aid, HR), including managed cloud, SaaS, or on-premises configurations?
Yes
No
Applicant Documents
Required Documents
Resume
Cover Letter/Letter of Application
Official Transcripts
Optional Documents
Other Document
Reference Letter 1
Reference Letter 2
Reference Letter 3
