Careers at Virginia Tech

Do not apply to this posting. The executive search firm Next Generation Partners is assisting Virginia Tech in this search.

Confidential inquiries and nominations can be directed to Phil Goldstein, phil@nextgenpartnersllc.com or 203-583-6070. Applicants should email a resume and cover letter by May 6th to VaTechAVP@nextgenpartnersllc.com

All applications, nominations, and inquiries will be held in the highest confidence.

Virginia Tech seeks a collaborative leader with experience helping organizations build the capabilities necessary to mature IT governance and implement technology strategies to serve as its Associate Vice President for IT Governance, Planning and Strategy (AVP). This is an opportune time to join Tech’s IT leadership team and this position offers substantial opportunity for challenge and professional growth. Virginia Tech is in the midst of implementing a comprehensive IT transformation and will be renewing its technology strategies and strengthening partnerships between the University’s Division of Information Technology and decentralized IT groups. The AVP will partner with IT leaders and campus stakeholders to build many of the foundational capabilities to turn strategic ideas into implemented capabilities. As a member of the senior leadership team of the Division of Information Technology, the AVP will work with stakeholders across the university to determine policies, procedures, projects and strategies that address the informational and technology needs of Virginia Tech. The AVP will represent the division and Virginia Tech on institutional, regional and national committees and initiatives at the direction of the Vice President for IT & Chief Information Officer (VPIT & CIO).

Under the broad direction of the VPIT & CIO and as a member of the IT leadership team, the AVP is responsible for enterprise and technology architecture coordination, IT governance, IT policy, project management, strategic planning and strategic outreach for the Division of Information Technology. In conjunction with IT professionals across the university, the AVP catalyzes IT transformation at Virginia Tech, enables the implementation of the University's technology strategic plan (IT Roadmap), and maintains that plan's alignment with the strategic priorities of Virginia Tech. Key priorities for the AVP include:

• Improve the design of IT governance and facilitate its implementation and continual improvement.
• Oversee the creation, ongoing effective operations, and annual implementation of technology priorities in consultation with enterprise IT governance to ensure progress on the University’s IT roadmap.
• Oversee the establishment and effective implementation of a technology acquisition process across the University, including a workflow for critical reviews such as data flow, enterprise integration, export control, privacy, and security considerations.
• Work in collaboration with the CIO, members of the IT leadership team, and University stakeholders to facilitate the design, adoption, and continual improvement of University-wide IT services.
• Facilitate data-informed decision-making within the the IT organization to inform strategic and tactical decisions.
• Construct methods of regular outreach to Virginia Tech’s IT community, divisions, faculty, students, and staff to understand emerging technology needs, gather feedback on performance of IT services, and seek input and ideas from all stakeholders.
• Forward local, regional and national efforts to cultivate technology expertise and investment to further research, education and outreach.
• Mature project and portfolio management practices and extend capabilities to effectively manage large enterprise projects including the modernization of the University's ERP solution.

The AVP oversees aspects of the IT organization that ensures the success of IT transformation at the university and promotes the Division of Information Technology’s ability to effectively serve the university. The AVP’s team is composed of professionals with expertise in business analysis, enterprise and technology architecture, IT governance, IT policy, project management, strategic planning and strategic outreach. Critical to the division’s success will be the AVP’s effective collaboration with partner units across the university and beyond such as Advancement, Enrollment Management, Finance, Human Resources, MARIA, Research and Innovation and the Virginia Tech Foundation. Collaboration with institutional governance bodies and university collaboration groups such as the IT Council also is crucial. Partnerships within the division are essential to this role's success, as this position supports the division in its efforts to resolve challenges and embrace opportunities in the technology sector.

The position requires an individual with proven collaborative, strategic, executive, and departmental IT management experience, as well as experience creating and sustaining effective IT governance.

• Master's degree or bachelors plus experience that equates to a Master's degree.
• Significant management experience in an information technology organization serving multiple stakeholders with diverse technology needs.
• Experience managing a significant IT function in terms of staff oversight and resources managed.
• Experience successfully managing the implementation of complex projects requiring technology and organizational change.
• Demonstrated experience managing elements of an IT governance capability.
• Understand workflow processes with the ability to identify weaknesses and implement process improvements.
• Demonstrated contributions to advancing diversity, equity, inclusion and access goals in an organization.
• Effective written and verbal communication skills, with experience preparing and presenting information clearly and concisely to a wide range of internal, external and customer constituents, including technical and non-technical executives.
• Demonstrated ability to analyze multi-faceted problems, identify root causes and build actionable improvement plans.
• The ability to motivate and develop staff.
• Proven ability to build and sustain effective teams.
• Proven ability to build relationships with and influence external and internal partners and stakeholders of all levels.
• Highly motivated and agile--capable of responding quickly to changing priorities.
• Have an ability to educate and influence decision-makers and stakeholders.
• Strong organizational, supervisory, and interpersonal skills needed to work effectively with a wide variety of internal and external resources.
• Strong decision-making skills, ability to rely on data for informing decisions.

• Higher education information technology experience.

Regular

Commensurate with Experience

05/06/2024

The successful candidate will be required to have a criminal conviction check.

Dedicated to its motto, Ut Prosim (That I May Serve), Virginia Tech pushes the boundaries of knowledge by taking a hands-on, transdisciplinary approach to preparing scholars to be leaders and problem-solvers. A comprehensive land-grant institution that enhances the quality of life in Virginia and throughout the world, Virginia Tech is an inclusive community dedicated to knowledge, discovery, and creativity. The university offers more than 280 majors to a diverse enrollment of more than 36,000 undergraduate, graduate, and professional students in eight undergraduate colleges, a school of medicine, a veterinary medicine college, Graduate School, and Honors College. The university has a significant presence across Virginia, including the Innovation Campus in Northern Virginia; the Health Sciences and Technology Campus in Roanoke; sites in Newport News and Richmond; and numerous Extension offices and research centers. A leading global research institution, Virginia Tech conducts more than $500 million in research annually.