Senior Director, IT (Hybrid) - Cincinnati, Ohio

Shawn Schaeffer

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Senior Director, IT (Hybrid)

Description

Structure

The Senior Director of IT is an exempt (salaried) position employed by the University of Cincinnati Foundation (UCF) and reports to the Vice President of Technology, Information & Philanthropic Strategy (TIPS).

Focus

The Senior Director of IT is responsible for ensuring that the Foundation’s technology resources are aligned with its strategic priorities and that IT services are consistent, reliable, easy to use, and cost-efficient – and protect one of our most valuable assets – our data. With IT leadership experience, the Sr. Director develops, delivers, and supports technology systems and solutions in support of the fundraising enterprise. The position demands a creative and entrepreneurial approach.

As a non-profit, all colleagues are called upon to roll up their sleeves and transition with ease between being a leader with being a direct service provider. This is a small and agile team; the leader must have a dedication and willingness to get hands-on with IT solutions and services. The incumbent must possess the ability to pivot from being the leader to being the knowledge expert, to being a change management strategist to being the service provider – all with a keen attention to the end-user experience and a deep commitment to partnership.

The position is part of the overall TIPS team. Peers include the Sr. Director of Fundraising Applications; Sr. Director, Gift Administration & Philanthropic Stewardship Data; Director of Reporting & Analytics and Ex. Director of Prospect Development. Together with these peers, TIPS drives all things data and technology for the UC Foundation.

Specific Duties

• Working with the VP to develop & execute a strategic plan for using the transformative power of technology to increase the UC Foundation's fundraising capacity and achieve its mission.
• Lead, oversee, and participate in all UC Foundation technology operations to achieve and proactively address the UC Foundation's needs while ensuring collaboration, partnership, communication, and transparent prioritization.
• Maintain a comprehensive security program that includes risk management; security operations; incident response; infrastructure security; identity and access management; end user awareness/training; and data security and privacy, as well as policies and practices that minimize risk.
• Develop and Lead IT Governance in partnership with the VP.
• Vet and prioritize initiatives and coordinate evaluation, deployment, and management of current and emerging technologies.
• Evaluate and recommend improvements to mature internal operations and work processes using technology.
• Serve as the primary liaison with the university IT department and develop a strategic & strong partnership.
• Plan, build, protect and maintain a sound IT infrastructure.
• Build a robust cybersecurity program in partnership with the VP and perform information security officer duties for the UC Foundation.
• Devise, write, establish, monitor, and enforce IT policies and procedures.
• Initiate, implement and lead the UC Foundation data governance according to PCI, HIPAA, and related compliance standards.
• Coach, mentor, and lead the IT team.
• Model and expect impeccable partnership and excellence when interacting with end-users and partners.
• Serve as the reviewer of technical documents and contracts for third-party vendors to ensure efficient and cost-effective technological equipment and software.
• Other duties, as assigned.

Director’s Team Expectations

This position will serve on the TIPS Director’s team. As a member, the Director will commit to the following:

• Exhibiting the highest levels of teamwork, civility, professionalism, and integrity as a model to other employees
• Focusing on developing, maintaining, and growing partnerships with their team, the TIPS Director’s team, UC IT teams, and all UC Foundation team members
• Owning their continuous improvement and development.
• Demonstrating a commitment to fairness, transparency, collaboration, and openness.
• Caring about the workload and morale of all employees, highlighting when things need to change
• Ensuring the TIPS team is an excellent team by embodying these team values:
  • Assuming good intent - We offer grace & honesty.
  • Communicating thoughtfully - We stay present, listen actively & speak with intention when ready.
  • Having one another’s back - We help one another, make mistakes & learn together.
  • Embracing differences - We embrace all perspectives, experiences, work styles & needs.
  • Remembering the good - We embrace levity, fun & celebration.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree with 5-7 years of progressively responsible IT leadership experience or advanced degree with 2-4 years of experience.
• Strong experience in managing cloud infrastructure, Microsoft 365, and cybersecurity; knowledge of best practices.
• Experience working with Okta cloud identity provider
• Ability to work across the organization to form key relationships
• Ability to build, mentor, and lead technology teams
• Experiencing in designing, implementing, and supporting enterprise systems
• Strong knowledge of change management processes
• An innovative and entrepreneurial spirit
• Ability to maintain current systems with an interest in and ability to implement emerging technologies
• Experience in IT and Data governance strategies and best practices
• Experience working in an environment that supports IT Service Management (ITSM) and ITIL best practices
• Ability to partner with internal and external auditors to evaluate our IT and cyber security maturity.
• Willingness to dig in and get things done
• Fearlessness to question everything in the pursuit to find a better way; willingness to challenge assumptions defining current business practices
• Must possess strong analytical and problem-solving skills, project management skills, and effective communication and documentation skills
• Experience working in a higher education environment preferred

Physical Demands

This position is considered to have light work. Exerting up to 20lbs. of force occasionally, and/or up to 10 lbs. of force frequently, and/or negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects. This position requires the operation of a motor vehicle. This position also requires:

• Climbing
• Standing
• Walking
• Pushing
• Pulling
• Reaching
• Lifting
• Finger use
• Talking
• Hearing
• Repetitive motion of the wrist, hands, and/or fingers

Work Environment

While performing the duties of this job, this position is subject to outside environmental conditions and indoor conditions.

The University of Cincinnati Foundation seeks talented, collaborative and mission-focused individuals to join our advancement team in driving philanthropic support for the University of Cincinnati and UC Health. All offers of full-time employment are contingent upon passing a criminal background check and drug test. Positions requiring a degree are also contingent upon education verification.

Additionally, the UC Foundation requires employees to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 to ensure the health and safety of our workplace. In accordance with guidance from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and public health authorities, we believe that vaccinations are a critical tool for protecting employees and their families, coworkers, donors, visitors and our community at large from the threat of COVID-19. New hires will be required to provide proof of vaccination or request an accommodation based on a medical condition or strongly-held religious belief prior to their first day of employment.

The University of Cincinnati Foundation is committed to diversity, equity, and building an inclusive environment for people of all backgrounds and ages. We are taking steps to meet that commitment. We especially encourage members of traditionally underrepresented communities to apply, including women, people of color, LGBTQ+ people, and people that are differently abled. We know there are great candidates who won’t match everything we’ve described above or who have important skills we haven’t considered. Apply and tell us about yourself!