CIO & Digital Transformation Leader for Education Tech

CIO/Vice Chancellor for Enterprise Systems & Digital Strategy

Denver, CO

Description of Job

The Colorado Community College System (CCCS) is the state's largest provider of higher education, with 13 unique colleges and more than 35 locations serving over 130,000 students annually. CCCS's mission is to provide accessible, responsive learning environments where students can achieve their educational, professional, and personal goals. The System Office provides centralized technology management for enterprise‑wide systems, security, and infrastructure, while individual colleges have localized support teams within the centralized framework. The CIO ensures enterprise technology strategy advances system priorities and establishes clear standards, governance, and architectural discipline across the system.

The Opportunity

CCCS is seeking a Chief Information Officer/Vice Chancellor for Enterprise Systems & Digital Strategy (CIO). The CIO is the executive leader responsible for enterprise technology strategy, digital transformation, artificial intelligence strategy, cybersecurity governance, and system‑wide technology modernization.

What You'll Do

• Develop and execute a multi‑year enterprise modernization roadmap that integrates CCCS ERP, learning management systems, student information systems, enterprise applications, cybersecurity, enterprise data platforms, AI capabilities, and digital credential infrastructure.
• Steward a secure, interoperable, AI‑enabled digital ecosystem that strengthens student mobility, accelerates workforce pathways, enhances institutional performance, and ensures long‑term fiscal sustainability across a unified system of accredited colleges.
• Ensure that enterprise investments reduce redundancy, eliminate technical debt, increase automation, and deliver measurable operational efficiency.
• Establish and enforce enterprise technology standards and governance across the system.
• Align digital investments with the CCCS Strategic Plan and workforce priorities, including implementation of a comprehensive learner record and learning‑and‑employment record framework that supports verifiable, skills‑based digital credentials.
• Lead responsible AI adoption to improve predictive analytics, operational efficiency, and student lifecycle automation.
• Build longitudinal, interoperable data exchange from high school through CCCS and employment.
• Partner with the Division of Workforce Solutions & Innovation to align digital infrastructure with high‑demand career pathways.
• Lead enterprise cybersecurity operations, SIEM oversight, incident response, disaster recovery, and strengthen enterprise cybersecurity and risk management.
• Develop and manage the CCCS enterprise technology budget.
• Present capital IT initiatives to the Board and Joint Technology Committee (JTC).
• Ensure compliance with State of Colorado procurement and capital IT regulations.
• Lead enterprise contract negotiation and vendor lifecycle management.
• Serve as a member of the Chancellor's executive leadership team, collaborating with college presidents, system staff, and governance councils to advance strategic goals while maintaining operational excellence, fiscal responsibility, program management, and risk management disciplines.
• Represent CCCS before the legislature, state agencies, and national organizations on technology matters.
• Establish and communicate a vision for IT and orchestrate alignment between departmental objectives and organizational strategic priorities, cultivating an inclusive, high‑performance culture.

Minimum Qualifications, Substitutions, Conditions of Employment & Appeal Rights

• Bachelor's degree in Information Technology, Computer Science, Business Administration, or a closely related field (an additional 4 years of IT leadership experience in a large, complex enterprise technology environment will substitute).
• Five (5) years of executive‑level IT leadership experience in large‑scale enterprise technology organizations, including managing enterprise‑wide IT systems and infrastructure, budget oversight of multi‑million‑dollar annual budgets, establishing and enforcing enterprise technology standards, leading and developing diverse IT teams (10+ staff), and executing IT strategic plans.
• Vendor management and contract negotiation experience.
• Experience in higher education, public sector systems, or similarly regulated environments is preferred.
• Experience with digital credential ecosystems, workforce‑aligned technology platforms, or interoperable data exchange frameworks is highly desirable.

Supplemental Information

• Demonstrated success leading enterprise‑wide technology transformation in decentralized, multi‑entity or multi‑campus organizations.
• Successful large‑scale modernization initiatives, including cloud migration, integration architecture, cybersecurity governance, and enterprise data platform implementation.
• Proven cost optimization, vendor rationalization, technical debt reduction, and ROI frameworks.
• Excellent communication skills, including translating complex technical concepts into clear strategic implications for governing boards, presidents, legislators, and non‑technical audiences.
• Political acumen and ability to navigate complex governance structures, regulatory environments, and institutional dynamics with professionalism and discipline.
• Strong fiscal acumen, capital planning, technology investment modeling, and contract lifecycle management.
• Advanced knowledge of cybersecurity strategy, risk management, business continuity planning, regulatory compliance, enterprise data governance, interoperability standards, and privacy compliance (e.g., FERPA).
• Proven leadership in responsible governance and deployment of artificial intelligence and emerging technologies to enhance operational efficiency and student outcomes.

Work Location/Travel Expectations

• This position is based at the CCCS System‑IT, 9026 Alton Way, Denver, Colorado, with flexibility for alternative work arrangements approved by the Chancellor. Work must be primarily completed in the state of Colorado.
• Some travel to college campuses throughout Colorado is required.
• Occasional national travel is expected.

Equal Employment Opportunity

CCCS believes that when all human qualities are regarded with dignity and respect and everyone has access to the individualized support they need, everyone will have the opportunity to thrive. In all aspects of the employment process, decisions are made based on merit, competence, performance, and business need without regard to race, color, religion, sex, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, creed, ancestry, national origin, marital status, genetic information, military status or any other protected status in accordance with applicable law.

Note: Per the Colorado Job Application Fairness Act, an applicant may redact information from their resume, cover letter, and/or transcripts that identifies their age, date of birth, or dates of attendance at or graduation from an educational institution. If your position requires us to review an official transcript, we will request one as part of our conditional offer process. We are still requesting dates of service (month and year) for positions in the applicant's work history to evaluate work experience against established requirements.