What are the responsibilities and job description for the Chief Information Officer position at CHARLESTON SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY?
Chief Information Officer
Charleston Southern University, the Lowcountry's only Christian university, is a close-knit, dynamic learning community where students from diverse faith backgrounds are guided by committed faculty to reach their personal and career goals. Grounded in the liberal arts tradition and affiliated with the South Carolina Baptist Convention, Charleston Southern offers a quality education in a supportive, values-based environment.
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
To perform this position successfully, an individual must be able to work within the following 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.
Other Skills/Abilities/Specifications:
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
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
- 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.
The following is a non-exhaustive list of some of the tools, equipment, systems, and platforms that are commonly used on the job:
- 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.
To apply, please complete the online application below and attach a resume. Entering untrue or inaccurate information will result in disqualification for consideration of vacant positions, or subsequent termination after hire. This position will remain open until filled. By completing this application you are giving Charleston Southern University the authority to contact any person, educational institution, current or former employer, or company to disclose in good faith any information they may have regarding your qualifications and fitness for employment including, but not limited to, those you have listed in your application materials. Prior to a final offer of employment, the selected candidate will be required to submit to a background check including, but not limited to, employment verification, educational and other credential verification, criminal background check, and reference check. Applicants who will drive for the University will be required to complete a background check on their driving record.