Vice President and Chief Information Officer

The University of Minnesota (UMN)—one of the most prestigious comprehensive, public land-grant research universities in the nation—seeks an innovative, collaborative, and strategic leader to serve as its next Vice President and Chief Information Officer (CIO). The CIO will join the university at an exciting moment in time. Under the leadership of the recently appointed president, Dr. Rebecca Cunningham, strategic planning efforts are nearly complete, and UMN is poised to deepen its commitment to research, teaching, and outreach, expand access to opportunity, advance its land-grant mission, and amplify its impact nationally and internationally. The next CIO will play a pivotal role in positioning information technology (IT) to best support and advance these institutional ambitions. 

UMN is embarking on transformational initiatives that promise to elevate its already preeminent research, education, and outreach missions. Building upon its foundation as a powerhouse in cutting edge data science research with many high quality data sciences activities already existing throughout UMN’s five campuses, UMN’s Data Science and AI Hub (DSAI Hub) aims to make an even larger mark in the field of data science by charting new research directions and enabling the development of new methods, data sets, and software that address society’s grand challenges. Relatedly, late last year, President Cunningham charged an Artificial Intelligence Task Force to recommend how UMN approaches the evaluation, use, and development of emergent AI tools and services across teaching, research, and administrative operations. In tandem, the PEAK Initiative, a systemwide strategic initiative, is transforming how UMN administers critical services across finance, HR, IT, and marketing & communications, bringing streamlined processes, efficiencies, and collaborations to every campus, college, and unit of the university. These forward-looking initiatives provide an extraordinary platform for the next CIO to make a lasting impact on the institution. 

Reporting to the Executive Vice President for Finance and Operations, the CIO will develop an IT strategy that supports the University’s tripartite mission of research, education, and outreach, recognizing the critical role IT will play in advancing the University’s priorities. Given that IT management at UMN is distributed yet highly integrated, the incoming CIO must work in close partnership with stakeholders across the university to enhance an IT governance structure that respects and capitalizes on the opportunities inherent to this hybrid model while best serving the entire UMN community. The CIO will expand high-performance and cloud computing to support AI and other data-intensive activities, and advance priorities such as cybersecurity, privacy, and data governance. At all times, the CIO will work in service of the academic mission, and to this end will provide counsel to the Provost and academic leaders across the institution regarding potential uses and applications of technology to facilitate student learning and faculty research. Looking forward, the CIO will have the opportunity to lay the groundwork for a future ERP implementation, one that will improve administrative efficiency and effectiveness, reduce risk, support compliance, and serve as a critical investment in the face of resource constraints. 

The culture at UMN is deeply relationship-based and places a high value on communication, inclusion, and collaboration. To be successful, the CIO must be a strong relationship builder who is respectful of UMN’s rich traditions and existing structures while able to excite and influence others regarding the possibilities of innovation and evolution. As a leader, they must be open and transparent, accessible, and service-oriented, possessing the emotional intelligence and humility to learn, listen, and authentically build trust across the UMN community and externally.  

The Vice President and Chief Information Officer position is a 100-percent time, 12-month, professional and administrative (P&A) appointment based in Minneapolis. Salary is commensurate with education and experience, with an anticipated salary range of $350,000 - $475,000. 

The University of Minnesota has retained Isaacson, Miller, a national search firm, to assist in this important search. All inquiries, applications, and nominations for this opportunity should be directed in confidence below.

Becca Kennedy and Dan Rodas are leading this search with Amble Ryan and Cortnee Bollard. 

The University of Minnesota shall provide equal access to and opportunity in its programs, facilities, and employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender, age, marital status, familial status, disability, public assistance status, membership or activity in a local commission created for the purpose of dealing with discrimination, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression.