Vice President for Information Technology and Dean of Libraries

The Office of the Vice President for Information Technology and Dean of Libraries at CSU provides transformative technology tools to support the academic, research and outreach programs of the University. CSU is a premier public research university established in 1870 as the land-grant institution for the State of Colorado. The University is committed to equity and inclusive excellence, setting the standard for public research universities in education, research and engagement for the benefit of the citizens of Colorado, the United States, and the world. Student enrollment is approximately 34,000, and the University employs more than 7,200 staff including academic faculty, administrative professionals, and classified staff. As a premier land-grant University for the 21st century, CSU is addressing and solving the great global challenges of our time.

CSU is located in the city of Fort Collins, a dynamic community with a population of approximately 165,000. Situated 65 miles north of Denver at the western edge of the Great Plains and at the base of the foothills of the Rocky Mountains, Fort Collins is a gateway to world-class skiing, hiking, fishing, climbing and biking. CSU is well-recognized in national rankings and is the school of choice for Colorado students, with a longstanding legacy of attracting the best and brightest both nationally and internationally.

The individual in this position oversees a collaborative division that includes the CSU Libraries and its associated units; Academic Computing and Network Services (ACNS); Telecommunications; and Information Systems (IS). The CSU Libraries support the academic mission of the University by providing access to information and research assistance for students, faculty and staff in support of research, teaching and learning. The CSU Libraries is a member of the Association of Research Libraries (ARL) and is home to RapidILL, a unique resource-sharing service; the Information Science and Technology Center (ISTeC); and related units such as the Geospatial Centroid.

ACNS/Telecom provides telecommunications and networking services along with central and distributed computing support to the academic and administrative units of CSU. ACNS implements and maintains central computing server systems, campus networks, computer repair services, and personal computing and applications. ACNS also leads end user training, workshops, seminars, consulting and publications and negotiates software, hardware and maintenance contracts for campus-wide use, and the sale of computer software and supplies.

Information Systems (IS) delivers information technology resources and support to all organizational entities at CSU. The IS Department furnishes essential central administrative services such as human resources, financial management, integrated student systems, data warehousing and reporting/analytics, mobile computing and research services.

The Vice President for Information Technology and Dean of Libraries oversees the University’s information services and technology needs in a distinctive environment where both library services and central IT are housed within the same division. The successful candidate will be able to optimize synergies across the units to meet the University’s increasingly sophisticated information and technology needs, while also recognizing each unit’s professional culture and needs.

Qualified candidates for the position should be strategic and innovative thinkers who have successfully managed and led organizational and operational systems and change within a research library or information technology environment. The individual in this position is responsible for ensuring the quality of the University’s IT and library services; fostering a strong culture of innovation and collaboration; implementing policies; leading strategic planning; managing personnel and financial resources; building relationships with other units across campus; and providing strong leadership for development and fundraising initiatives.

The VPIT&DL facilitates the University’s use of information and digital technologies to enhance the institutional culture, mission and strategy; improve the student experience; and support research, teaching and learning throughout the University. Because of the rapid pace of change in both academic research libraries and IT, the individual in this position will embrace the digital transformation that is revolutionizing higher education and will work closely with each unit in order to position them to meet the long-term needs of the University.

• An earned advanced/terminal degree with professional experience in a related discipline or a terminal degree in Library Science, Computer Science, or Computer Information Systems; 

• A minimum of ten years at the time of application, of progressively responsible administrative and/or leadership experience, including at least two years at the level of dean, department head, director or equivalent within a complex organization;

• Demonstrated innovative and strategic thinking, personnel and fiscal management, and the ability to develop and implement policies and lead strategic planning;

• A commitment to diversity and inclusion demonstrated by persistent effort, active planning, allocation of resources and/or accountability for diversity outcomes;

• Excellent written, organizational, planning, supervisory and problem-solving skills.

• An earned advanced/terminal degree in Library Science, Computer Science or Computer Information Systems or additional advanced degrees in related fields;

• Significant and successful administrative experience, with a record of progressive or extensive leadership responsibilities, providing strategic leadership in a large, complex higher education institution;

• Experience working with and across a diverse set of academic disciplines in a scholarly and and/or administrative capacity;

• Ability to implement a shared strategic vision for the division;

• Personal qualities that will facilitate open, participatory and collaborative relationships with the University community and external constituencies.

Reflecting departmental and institutional values, candidates are expected to have the ability to advance the Division’s commitment to diversity and inclusion.

Conduct joint strategic planning for CSU Libraries, working with advisory groups and donors. Vet directions widely, with CSULibraries management and staff, faculty, ISTeC, CSU administration, and at times the President’s Cabinet and the Council of Deans. Engage in CSU annual planning and budgeting exercise. A significant element here is managing the collections portfolio, soliciting targeted donations, and planning for next year’s collections purchases, cancellations, etc.

Work with a strong management team, consisting of assistant/associate deans, office manager, budget officer, and director of development to provide comprehensive library services of the very highest quality. This includes managing the budget, managing expenses, purchasing, performance evaluations, SALX, and reviewing and adjusting to service statistics collected, meeting with advisory committees, and attending relevant social events.

Provide support and oversight for all CSU Libraries faculty: tenured, tenure-track, and non-tenure-track. Responsible for all elements involved in the tenure and promotion process, including hiring, tenure, promotion, mid-term reviews, and post-tenure reviews. Participation in the Provost’s annual tenure and promotion activity.

Supervise and set strategic directions for central IT units, including ACNS, IS, RAMtech, and Telecommunications. Areas involved are all of our central administrative IT systems: Student, HR, Finance, Research, data warehouse, business intelligence, and various back-end Oracle databases; Identity and Access Management, academic computing, research computing, central data storage, networking, help desk, training, and support. This encompasses participating in the IT Governance function, as defined in our policies, and coordination, communication, and interaction with a large number of internal and external constituents.

Interested applicants must submit a cover letter which addresses how professional experiences align with identified required and preferred qualifications of the position, a current resume, and the names, email addresses, and telephone numbers of at least three (3) professional references. References will not be contacted without prior notification of candidates.
If you have questions, please contact Erika Borges at eborges@colostate.edu.

Colorado State University is committed to providing an environment that is free from discrimination and harassment based on race, age, creed, color, religion, national origin or ancestry, sex, gender, disability, veteran status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or pregnancy and will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. Colorado State University is an equal opportunity/equal access/affirmative action employer fully committed to achieving a diverse workforce and complies with all Federal and Colorado State laws, regulations, and executive orders regarding non-discrimination and affirmative action. The Office of Equal Opportunity is located in 101 Student Services.
 

The Title IX Coordinator is the Executive Director of the Office of Support and Safety Assessment, 123 Student Services Building, Fort Collins, CO 80523 -2026, (970) 491-7407.
 

The Section 504 and ADA Coordinator is the Associate Vice President for Human Capital, Office of Equal Opportunity, 101 Student Services Building, Fort Collins, CO 80523-0160, (970) 491-5836.

Colorado State University (CSU) strives to provide a safe study, work, and living environment for its faculty, staff, volunteers and students. To support this environment and comply with applicable laws and regulations, CSU conducts background checks. The type of background check conducted varies by position and can include, but is not limited to, criminal (felony and misdemeanor) history, sex offender registry, motor vehicle history, financial history, and/or education verification. Background checks will be conducted when required by law or contract and when, in the discretion of the university, it is reasonable and prudent to do so.