Associate CIO, Project and Technology Consulting Office

Reporting to the Vice President for Information Technology and Chief Information Officer, the Associate CIO for the Project and Technology Consulting Office leads an organization of project consulting resources and oversees a complex and broad portfolio of strategic and high impact projects and initiatives to ensure information technology is a vital contributor to the overall mission and success of Princeton University.    

The Associate CIO is a key member of the senior leadership team who is principally responsible for the University’s IT governance process, University-wide IT program management, and IT consulting capabilities.  The IT governance process facilitated by the Associate CIO ensures that the University’s IT investment portfolio is aligned with the mission and meets organizational needs for high-quality technology solutions.  Aligned with this, the Associate CIO is also responsible for establishing and maintaining a culture of professional project and program management at the University and leads a team of strategic IT project managers.  The Associate CIO is the principal strategic IT consultant and leads a team of consultants, process analysts and business analysts that are focused on helping our campus partners transform their operations through the use of information technology.  The Associate CIO provides high-level thought partnership for the CIO and serves on a variety of University committees representing OIT.

IT Governance Leadership –

• Responsible for the IT Governance process through which University leadership cooperatively develops and establishes IT strategy and policy. 

• Lead the University’s IT project and portfolio planning process, including proposal review, ensuring efficient resourcing and funding strategies, and preparing the project slate for approval through the governance process. 

• Establish the overall direction for the methods and practices through which the quality of projects and services are measured. 

Project and Program Management Leadership –   

• Direct the Princeton Project and Technology Consulting Office, which is responsible for ensuring the success of University-wide strategic IT projects, including technology and infrastructure transformation, deployment readiness; risk management; ERP systems; capability transfer and support; audit and review.  

• Lead an organization of project and program management consultants who actively manage the complex portfolio University-wide IT projects to improve project success rates, optimize spend, deliver more value by leveraging business process improvements, and maximizing institutional alignment and strategic outcomes.  

• Work with cabinet-level University stakeholders to identify and manage potential risks and other issues associated with critical University-wide projects. 

• Develop and sustain a culture of professional project management across the university through Princeton Project Management Methodology training and by providing professional development opportunities across campus. 

• Responsible for utilization reporting for the entire project portfolio including tracking project progress, key deliverables, milestones and timelines in an open and transparent manner.  

Strategic Leadership –

• Work closely with the Vice President for Information Technology and Chief Information Officer, in collaboration with the other OIT Associate CIOs on strategic OIT initiatives. 

• Develop and sustain the practice of professional IT strategy consulting and manage a team of internal consultants that are trusted advisors for university IT leadership. 

• Lead high-value strategic consulting initiatives for senior university leadership. 

Campus IT Leadership – 

• Serve on a variety of University-wide committees to represent OIT and the University strategic IT mission and objectives. 

• Establish, enhance and maintain effective relationships and communication with all University constituents. 

Essential Qualifications: 

• 10+ years of experience evolving and leading program management services for a mid- to large-size IT organization. 

• Experience leading program management for a large portfolio of complex, high-impact, high-risk IT projects such as digital transformation, ERP implementations, or other mission critical IT projects.  

• Key involvement in architecting and leading IT Governance practices for a large institution.   

• Proven success partnering with executive-level institutional leadership to progress toward a common vision or mission. 

• A minimum of 10 years’ staff management experience. 

• Exceptional communication skills, both written and oral, and active listening skills. 

• A minimum of 15 years of IT project and program management experience, and a demonstrated knowledge and understanding of project management principles, methodologies and of how to successfully implement complex IT projects in federated organizations. 

• A dynamic leader with excellent interpersonal skills, who values and excels at collaboration and customer service. 

• Demonstrated ability to think strategically and facilitate strategic planning sessions.  

• In-depth knowledge of, and familiarity with, IT products and services. 

• A thorough understanding of IT trends and capabilities. 

• A commitment to diversity and to serving the needs of a diverse University community. 

• Education: Bachelor's degree

Preferred Qualifications: 

• Professional consulting experience, ideally in the higher education industry. 

• Experience in mission driven organizations such as higher educational institutions. 

• Appropriate professional certifications, such as PMP. 

Princeton University has retained Boyden Executive Search https://www.boyden.com/ to support the recruitment of this position. Confidential inquiries, applications, and nominations should be sent by email Sara Swisher-Anderson, sswisher@boyden.com, or Leslie Smith, Leslie.Smith@boyden.com, Senior Associates at Boyden.

Princeton University is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. KNOW YOUR RIGHTS