Deputy Chief Information Officer

Job Classification: Associate Vice President
Job code: 9303
Posted salary range: $250,000 - $300,000

Please note, this position is not eligible for H-1B or Green Card sponsorship. This position does not offer a STEM OPT training program.

Position Summary:

The Deputy Chief Information Officer (Deputy CIO) is a senior University technology executive with University-wide responsibility for enterprise infrastructure, operations, and technology support services. Reporting to the Vice President and Chief Information Officer (VPCIO), the Deputy CIO serves as the VPCIO's principal strategic advisor for this portfolio and helps shape and advance the technology strategy supporting teaching, research, clinical care, outreach, and administrative operations across the University.

The Deputy CIO establishes strategic direction, enterprise standards, investment priorities, governance, and performance expectations while holding others accountable for operational execution and measurable outcomes. The Deputy CIO convenes leaders across campuses, colleges, administrative units, and distributed IT organizations to align local needs with University priorities and ensure technology services are reliable, secure, resilient, scalable, accessible, user-centered, and financially sustainable. The Deputy CIO also extends the University's regional leadership by cultivating mutually beneficial partnerships and shared-service opportunities that leverage the institution's enterprise technology capabilities. The ideal candidate has demonstrated executive leadership overseeing enterprise infrastructure, cloud platforms, engineering, technology architecture, IT operations, and customer support within a large, complex organization. Experience leading technology modernization, cloud transformation, enterprise architecture, cybersecurity collaboration, AI enablement, and operational excellence initiatives is highly desirable.

Key Responsibilities:

University-Wide Executive Leadership & Governance:

• Serve as the VPCIO's principal strategic advisor for enterprise infrastructure, operations, and technology support services and as a member of the IT Leadership Team.
• Partner with the VPCIO and University leaders to shape enterprise technology strategy, priorities, governance, and investment decisions for infrastructure and operations in support of the institution's missions.
• Translate institutional priorities into multi-year roadmaps, performance measures, and accountable outcomes.
• Represent the VPCIO, as delegated, with University leadership, governance bodies, external partners, peer institutions, and strategic technology vendors.
• Sponsor major infrastructure and operations modernization and transformation initiatives by establishing executive governance, removing institutional barriers, and holding leaders accountable for delivery and benefits realization.
• Identify opportunities to leverage emerging technologies that improve institutional effectiveness.
• Encourage experimentation while maintaining strong governance and operational discipline.
• Foster collaboration between infrastructure, applications, research computing, cybersecurity, AI, and distributed IT organizations.

Enterprise Technology Strategy, Architecture & Investment:

• In partnership with the VPCIO and industry technology leaders, establish the University's multi-year direction for infrastructure, cloud services, networks, endpoints, and core technology platforms.
• Embed the voice of the customer in infrastructure and operations service strategy through representative feedback loops and service partners and use those insights alongside operational data to set priorities, improve service design, and measure outcomes.
• Lead enterprise governance for infrastructure architecture, engineering standards, lifecycle planning, and exceptions, balancing University-wide consistency with mission-specific needs.
• Advise University leadership on the strategic value, organizational implications, risks, and readiness requirements associated with emerging technologies.
• Ensure technology strategies and standards advance interoperability, scalability, security, accessibility, sustainability, and responsible financial stewardship.
• Partner with the Chief Information Security Officer and other institutional leaders to align technology decisions with University risk tolerance, regulatory obligations, and business objectives.
• Guide modernization of enterprise platforms, cloud services, networks, identity management, endpoint technologies, and core infrastructure.

Enterprise Infrastructure & Operational Resilience:

• Provide executive direction and accountability for enterprise infrastructure, cloud and network services, production operations, data centers, storage, identity services, and operational resilience.
• Establish University-wide expectations for service availability, performance, security, scalability, and operational maturity, and review performance against those expectations.
• Sponsor infrastructure modernization, automation, observability, and platform engineering initiatives, ensuring effective governance and realization of expected benefits.
• Provide executive governance and assurance for disaster recovery, business continuity, capacity planning, and operational readiness, ensuring material risks and gaps are visible to University leadership.
• Align centralized and distributed technology organizations around shared standards and operating practices while accommodating distinct academic, research, clinical, and administrative requirements.

University-Wide User Experience & Technology Support:

• Set the University-wide strategy and investment direction for technology support services, including expected outcomes, service standards, and user experience.
• Engage faculty, staff, students, researchers, healthcare partners, and administrative leaders to identify experience priorities and inform enterprise service decisions.
• Use user feedback, operational analytics, and institutional benchmarks to assess performance and hold senior leaders accountable for continuous improvement.
• Champion an accessible, inclusive, and user-centered service culture across centralized and distributed IT organizations.

Financial, Portfolio & Vendor Strategy:

• Provide executive oversight of the portfolio for infrastructure, operations, and technology support services, including multi-year financial planning, investment prioritization, sourcing strategy, vendor performance, and technology lifecycle management.
• Partner with IT Finance, Procurement, and University leadership to establish investment criteria and sustainable cost-recovery or chargeback practices.
• Lead executive relationships with strategic technology partners and hold vendors accountable for commitments, performance, and University outcomes.
• Drive I&O cost optimization initiatives to maximize the value of infrastructure and platform investments.

Leadership of Leaders & Organizational Effectiveness:

• Build an integrated, high-performing leadership team that aligns centralized services and distributed IT partners around University priorities.
• Shape organizational design, workforce strategy, succession planning, and leadership development to meet evolving institutional needs.
• Foster an inclusive, collaborative, and service-oriented culture grounded in accountability, innovation, and operational excellence.
• Model enterprise leadership by prioritizing University-wide outcomes over organizational boundaries and encouraging the same orientation throughout the leadership team.

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree.
• Substantial experience in progressively responsible technology leadership roles, including executive accountability for multiple enterprise functions and demonstrated success leading senior directors.
• Demonstrated ability to build alignment across executive leadership, governance bodies, and distributed organizations where authority and decision-making are shared.
• Executive-level skills in communication, relationship building, financial stewardship, and organizational change leadership.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Demonstrated financial acumen and experience in cost optimization, cost recovery, and chargeback strategies.
• Demonstrated experience building strategic partnerships with technology vendors and organizations to advance innovation

Pay Range: $250,000 - $300,000 per year; depending on education/qualifications/experience

Time Appointment: 100% Appointment

Position Type: P&A Staff

Please visit the Office of Human Resources website for more information regarding benefit eligibility.

The University offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes:

• Competitive wages, paid holidays, and generous time off
• Continuous learning opportunities through professional training and degree-seeking programs supported by the Regents Tuition Benefit Program
• Low-cost medical, dental, and pharmacy plans
• Healthcare and dependent care flexible spending accounts
• University HSA contributions
• Disability and employer-paid life insurance
• Employee wellbeing program
• Excellent retirement plans with employer contribution
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) opportunity
• Financial counseling services
• Employee Assistance Program with eight sessions of counseling at no cost
• Employee Transit Pass with free or reduced rates in the Twin Cities metro area

While our salary ranges provide a framework, it is important to note that most of the
time, the initial pay may not reach the maximum of the range. This approach ensures
that compensation reflects the value and unique contributions of each candidate while
maintaining equity within our organization. As part of our commitment to fair and
equitable compensation, please be aware that the salary offered to incoming candidates
will be based on their individual credentials and experience.

Applications must be submitted online. To be considered for this position, please click the Apply button and follow the instructions. You will have the opportunity to complete an online application for the position and attach a cover letter and resume or CV.

This position will remain open until filled.

To request an accommodation during the application process, please e-mail jobcentr@umn.edu.

The University recognizes and values the importance of diversity and inclusion in enriching the employment experience of its employees and in supporting the academic mission. The University is committed to attracting and retaining employees with varying identities and backgrounds.

The University of Minnesota provides equal access to and opportunity in its programs, facilities, and employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender, age, marital status, disability, public assistance status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. To learn more about diversity at the U: http://diversity.umn.edu

Any offer of employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a background check. Our presumption is that prospective employees are eligible to work here. Criminal convictions do not automatically disqualify finalists from employment.

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC)

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC), is among the largest public research universities in the country, offering undergraduate, graduate, and professional students a multitude of opportunities for study and research. Located at the heart of one of the nation's most vibrant, diverse metropolitan communities, students on the campuses in Minneapolis and St. Paul benefit from extensive partnerships with world-renowned health centers, international corporations, government agencies, and arts, nonprofit, and public service organizations.

At the University of Minnesota, we are proud to be recognized by Forbes as a Best Employer for Company Culture (2026), Best Employer for Women (2023, 2025, 2026), and Best Employer by State (2022-2026). In 2026, we also received Culture Excellence & Industry Awards recognition for employee appreciation and work-life flexibility.