Director of Information Technology

About the role

The Director of Information Technology reports to the Vice President of Finance and Administration & Chief Financial Officer and serves as the Institute's senior IT leader responsible for the strategic direction, planning, and operational management of information technology services. This role provides leadership across all aspects of IT, including infrastructure, cybersecurity, enterprise applications, service delivery, data governance, and technology planning. In collaboration with the Claremont Colleges consortium, the Director ensures secure, reliable, and innovative technology services that support approximately 1,000 students, faculty, and staff and advance the Institute's mission. The Director partners with campus leadership to align technology initiatives with institutional priorities, improve operational effectiveness, and enhance academic and administrative experience. Keck Graduate Institute (KGI) was founded in 1997 as the first higher education institution in the United States dedicated exclusively to education and research related to the applied life sciences. KGI offers innovative postgraduate degrees and certificates that integrate life and health sciences, business, pharmacy, engineering, and genetics, focusing on industry projects, hands-on industry experiences, and team collaborations. KGI employs an entrepreneurial approach and industry connections that allow students to become leaders in healthcare and the applied life sciences. Located in beautiful Claremont, California, KGI is a member of the Claremont Colleges, a consortium of five undergraduate liberal arts colleges, two graduate institutions, and The Claremont Colleges Services, which provides shared institutional support services. Each nationally recognized college has its own campus, students and faculty, and distinctive mission, and each offers top-notch curricula, small classes, distinguished professors, and personalized instruction. The Claremont Colleges consistently place at the top of national college rankings, including Forbes, Money and U.S. News and World Report, and the Princeton Review. Education and Experience: A Bachelor's degree in Information Technology, Computer Science, Information Security, or a related field is required, with a Master's degree preferred. The ideal candidate will have a minimum of 7-10 years of progressively responsible experience in information technology, including demonstrated leadership and management experience. Experience in higher education or similarly complex organizations is strongly preferred. The candidate must also have proven experience in IT operations, cybersecurity, enterprise systems, vendor management, and budgeting. An equivalent combination of education, training, and experience that provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the duties of the position may be considered. Essential Functions and Responsibilities: Individuals must possess knowledge, skills and abilities to successfully perform the essential function of the position or be able to explain or demonstrate how the essential functions may be performed, with or without reasonable accommodation, using some other combination of skills and abilities. IT Leadership and Strategy Provide strategic leadership for all IT functions, aligning technology initiatives with institutional goals. Develop and maintain a multi-year IT roadmap, including infrastructure, systems, and cybersecurity priorities. Serve as a trusted advisor to senior leadership on technology trends, risks, and opportunities. Lead campus-wide technology planning efforts and support institutional strategic initiatives. IT Operations and Service Delivery Oversee all IT services, including infrastructure, enterprise applications, help desk, and instructional technologies. Ensure reliable, secure, and high-performing systems, networks, and services. Establish and monitor service levels, performance metrics, and continuous improvement processes. Lead incident response and problem management for critical IT issues. Cybersecurity and Risk Management Develop, implement, and maintain a comprehensive information security program. Lead cybersecurity strategy, risk assessments, and mitigation efforts. Oversee incident response, vulnerability management, and security monitoring. Ensure compliance with applicable regulations, standards, and best practices. Coordinate third-party security assessments, audits, and vendor risk management. Promote campus-wide security awareness and training programs. Infrastructure and Enterprise Systems Oversee IT infrastructure, including networks, servers, cloud services, and data storage. Ensure effective management of enterprise systems and applications supporting academic and administrative functions. Lead technology lifecycle planning, including upgrades, replacements, and modernization initiatives. Business C