Chief Information Officer

The University of Southern California seeks a strategic and collaborative executive to serve as its next Chief Information Officer (CIO). The CIO will play a pivotal role in shaping the future of technology at one of the world's most prestigious universities. This is an exceptional opportunity to lead central technology operations at a private research institution with significant size, resources and breadth of scale.

Who We Are

The University of Southern California is one of the world's leading private research universities. An anchor institution in Los Angeles and a global center for the arts, technology, health and international business, USC's diverse curricular offerings provide extensive opportunities for interdisciplinary study and collaboration with leading researchers in highly advanced learning environments. USC is a constellation of schools, centers, and institutes where some of the brightest minds, working together in a dynamic and collaborative environment, are leading the way to the future of education and a healthier, more joyful and sustainable Los Angeles and world.

The Position

Reporting to the Senior Vice President, Finance and Chief Financial Officer, the CIO will provide the visionary and operational leadership to enable a forward-thinking, enterprise-focused IT organization that champions the strategic use of technology to further the mission of the University. This leader will be tasked with fully evaluating the central IT organization, including processes and structure, and creating a proactive, high service delivery environment. The incoming CIO will actively collaborate with schools and central units, cultivating robust relationships and tailoring central solutions to meet the unique needs of each academic and administrative area. Demonstrating a customer-centric approach, the CIO will prioritize driving efficiency, excellence, and innovation in alignment with the University's overarching goals.

The CIO will lead in developing an IT strategic plan for the organization that addresses the current and future needs of the University. They will also establish a governance structure that leads to effective prioritization of projects and allocation of resources. In addition, the CIO will support an ongoing learning management system upgrade and a future student information system replacement. The CIO will support the optimization of enterprise systems and the process and cultural transformation to leverage the systems effectively.

The ideal candidate will be a dynamic leader with extensive experience and a proven track record in IT strategic planning and execution within a complex and decentralized environment. The CIO should be seen as a service-oriented, collaborative partner capable of cultivating trust, credibility, and consensus among constituents across the campus. The successful candidate should be dedicated to assembling a highly engaged, diverse team that contributes effectively to the University's goals. As an innovative leader, the CIO must possess a global vision and stay abreast of emerging trends in digital technology supporting education and research. Effective listening and communication skills are essential, enabling the CIO to facilitate change and adeptly balance resources and priorities.

Key Responsibilities Include:

• Responsible for creating more agile and innovative IT environments across the university. Provides vision, leadership and direction for managing technology operations (e.g., network services, telecommunications, data security systems). Designs, develops, and implements resources and roadmaps, policies and procedures, and short- and long-range objectives.

• Oversees organizational governance, structures, budgets, and staffing needed to accomplish goals and consistently meet business needs. Ensures projects are on schedule, within budget and completed. Responsible for establishing, maintaining and monitoring numerous metrics for performance and efficiency. Drives the development of advanced data analytics to bolster effective decision-making.

• Provides strategic and operational leadership for IT administration, infrastructure and security, fostering a culture of collaboration and innovation. Identifies user needs and directs teams to ensure IT solutions are designed to meet the specific and often changing needs of individual departments, schools and business units. Mentors staff and student workers.

• Leverages expertise in broad yet relevant areas (e.g., data security, vendor/contract management) to translate visions and strategies into clear priorities. Develops, coordinates, and participates in multifaceted training, ensuring that all appropriate staff are knowledgeable about IT services and pertinent policies and standards. Prepares and delivers presentations as necessary.

• Stays current with new/emerging technology and policy developments, leveraging the latest industry knowledge to drive timely responses to regulatory changes and continuous improvements to best practices. Ensures senior leadership and relevant stakeholders (e.g., general counsel, risk management) are informed in a timely manner of pertinent regulatory changes that may affect operations.

• Organizes and leads complex monitoring functions and compliance oversight groups, and leads or assists investigations of any alleged non-compliance. Provides training for investigators across crucial compliance areas. Promotes an environment that fosters inclusive relationships and creates unbiased opportunities for contributions through ideas, words, and actions that uphold principles of the USC Code of Ethics.

Performs other related duties as assigned or requested. The university reserves the right to add or change duties at any time.

The Candidate for Chief Information Officer will have at minimum:

• Bachelor's degree in business administration, computer science, information technology, engineering or other relevant fields.

• Ten (10) years’ experience in IT, information security or relevant fields.

• Extensive experience working with IT security guidelines and requirements and driving change in security functions within multiple organizations.

• Five years’ experience in leadership roles, driving transformational change.

• Ability to quickly establish credibility partnering effectively to define and deliver strategies, processes, data and programs supporting organizational goals.

• Excellent oral and written communication skills, able to tailor delivery to varied audiences. Experience with contract and vendor negotiations.

• Excellent critical thinking and organizational skills, and an exemplary attention to detail.

• High level of personal integrity; the ability to professionally handle confidential matters, and show an appropriate level of judgment and maturity.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master's degree

• PHR, CCP, GRP and/or other HR certifications.

• CISSP, ClSM, CISA or other similar IT certifications.

• Extensive experience in leadership/management roles in research compliance and/or sponsored research at large, complex organizations.

• Extensive experience leading or managing teams with evolving cultures.

• Proven reputation for discretion, integrity, sound judgment, and responsiveness.

• Experience promoting diversity and inclusion.

Required Documents and Additional Information

All applications, nominations, and inquiries are invited. Applications should include, as separate documents, a resume and a letter of interest.

The annual base salary range for this position spans from $450,000 to $600,000. Upon extending an offer of employment, the University of Southern California takes various factors into account, including the scope and responsibilities of the position, the candidate's work experience, education/training, key skills, internal peer equity, federal, state, and local laws, contractual stipulations, grant funding, and external market and organizational considerations.

USC is an equal opportunity, affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, disability, or any other characteristic protected by law or USC policy. USC will consider for employment all qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with the requirements of the Los Angeles Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring ordinance. We provide reasonable accommodations to applicants and employees with disabilities.

Minimum Education: Bachelor's degree Minimum Experience: 10 years Minimum Field of Expertise: Bachelor’s degree in business administration, computer science, information technology, engineering or other relevant fields. Ten years’ experience in IT, information security or relevant fields. Extensive experience working with IT security guidelines and requirements and driving change in security functions within multiple organizations. Five years’ experience in leadership roles, driving transformational change. Ability to quickly establish credibility partnering effectively to define and deliver strategies, processes, data and programs supporting organizational goals. Excellent oral and written communication skills, able to tailor delivery to varied audiences. Experience with contract and vendor negotiations. Excellent critical thinking and organizational skills, and an exemplary attention to detail. High level of personal integrity; the ability to professionally handle confidential matters, and show an appropriate level of judgment and maturity. Preferred Education: Master's degree Preferred Field of Expertise: PHR, CCP, GRP and/or other HR certifications. CISSP, ClSM, CISA or other similar IT certifications. Extensive experience in leadership/management roles in research compliance and/or sponsored research at large, complex organizations. Extensive experience leading or managing teams with evolving cultures. Proven reputation for discretion, integrity, sound judgment, and responsiveness. Experience promoting diversity and inclusion.