Assistant Vice Chancellor, IT Infrastructure and Operations

Monday - Friday 8 AM - 5 PM - or as needed.

Virginia's community colleges have a 50-year track record of educational excellence and innovation to serve the needs of our citizens and strengthen the Commonwealth's economy. When Virginia's General Assembly established the Virginia Community College System in 1966, the need for a comprehensive system was well known. Over the two decades after the end of World War II, leaders in government, business, professional sectors, and academia had called for a new approach to providing educational opportunity. A key concern was Virginia's ability to develop a skilled and knowledgeable workforce to expand the state's economy. Today our community colleges give every Virginian the opportunity to gain a quality education. With 23 colleges on 40 campuses located throughout the state, Virginia's Community Colleges are committed to serving Virginia families, helping them acquire the knowledge and skills to seize the opportunities of today and tomorrow.

SUMMARY AND SCOPE OF POSITION

The Assistant Vice Chancellor for IT Infrastructure and Operations is responsible for the overall planning and execution of VCCS enterprise infrastructure, network, and security operations management. In addition, the Assistant Vice Chancellor is also responsible for collaboration with the VCCS- ITS Security Office, ensuring that security services are adequately and appropriately integrated into all planning and execution for enterprise network and infrastructure services supporting the VCCS mission.

Position Overview:

This position will oversee two technical managers and multiple College Technology Officers (CTOs) within the VCCS ITaaS offering. The Assistant Vice Chancellor will:
Ensure IT Infrastructure Excellence:

Implement state-of-the-art infrastructure solutions to support evolving academic and administrative needs.

Drive system-wide adoption of cloud solutions to enhance scalability, reliability, and cost-efficiency.
Strengthen Network Integration:

Oversee network services, ensuring secure and reliable connectivity across the statewide VCCS Wide Area Network ( WAN).

Implement advanced technologies like SD- WAN to optimize network performance and reduce costs.
Establish Enterprise Architecture Practices

Collaboratively define enterprise architecture standards.

Embed a robust security-first mindset in all aspects of enterprise infrastructure and operations.

Establish relevant centers of excellence and communities of practice as needed to design, operate, and support enterprise infrastructure solutions.
Enhance IT Security Practices

Partner with the CISO to provide architectural and operational support and to ensure compliance with IT Security standards in all aspects of infrastructure and operations.

Enhance incident response capabilities to minimize downtime and safeguard data integrity.
Foster Collaborative Leadership:

Lead ITaaS operations, managing shared service delivery across colleges and establish plans to expand services to additional colleges.

Guide CTOs in their roles to ensure alignment with VCCS's strategic objectives and local college needs.

Education and Experience

* Master's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or related field.

* Security+ or equivalent industry certification.

* 15+ years of hands-on experience with IT Infrastructure Design and Management.

* 10+ years experience in leadership roles.

* Direct, hands-on experience with managing and leading academic technology programs in higher education.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities & Competencies

Knowledge

* Microsoft Windows operating systems.

* Linux/Unix operating systems.

* Cisco and Juniper networking systems.

* Palo Alto and Checkpoint firewall systems.

* VMware virtual computing environments.

* Information Technology Information Library ( ITIL).

* Facilities security design.

* WAN technologies and strategies for cost-effective and high-performance design.

* Classroom technology integration strategies.

* Instructional technology design and support.

* ERP Systems management and support (Peoplesoft).

* Equipment Trust Fund spend planning and management.

* Videoconferencing solutions.

* Netapp, Dell, HP and IBM computer and server solutions.

* Netapp and Dell storage solutions.

Skills

* IT project management.

* IT budget planning, forecasting, and execution.

* Proficiency in establishing IT services framework and IT security policies.

* Ability to recruit, manage, and retain skilled IT staff.

* Ability to establish partnerships with service providers and vendors.

* Building effective working relationships among IT Services, Units within the VCCS System Office, individual VCCS Colleges, and strategic, external interests and organizations.

* Enterprise network design and implementation.

* Wifi infrastructure design.

* IT infrastructure architect.

* Enterprise firewall design and configuration.

* Development, management, and use of new and emerging technologies.

* Developing and supporting Enterprise Resource Planning system operating environments.

* Technology risk mitigation.

* Operating System and infrastructure hardening.

Abilities

* Strategic planning and management for effective infrastructure capable of meeting all VCCS needs while remaining safe and effective on a 24O7 basis.

* Budget forecasting and technical planning for long-term improvements to computing infrastructure and wide area network communications across metropolitan and statewide systems.

* Anticipation and identification of security weaknesses within technology infrastructure which can be exploited to compromise performance, data integrity, and reliability of VCCS operations. Thorough mitigation of all such weaknesses.

* IT security response and management across the statewide infrastructure of the VCCS.

* IT facilities planning.

* Datacenter management.

* Instructional technology support and management.

* Threat assessment and risk mitigation.

* WAN and Metropolitan Area Network design, creation, implementation, and support.

* Ability to perform all these mixed and diverse duties concurrently, on a hands-on basis, across all 23 VCCS colleges and the System Office and Shared Services department.

Competencies

* Communication: The ability to articulate thoughts and deliver information effectively using oral, written, visual and non-verbal communication skills, as well as listening skills to gain understanding.

* Coaching: The ability to facilitate skill development and improved performant by providing clear, specific feedback to others, understanding their goals and working with them to achieve those goals.

* Change Management: The ability to implement strategies for effecting change, delivering the message of change and helping people adapt to change.

* Managing Conflict: The ability to understand all sides of an issue, help others calmly move through emotional or tense situations, and achieve the best solution for everyone involved.

* Performance Management: The ability to set realistic performance expectations, demonstrate awareness of other's work performance, provide regular feedback, and track performance progress.

* Facilitating: The ability to impartially guide a group with an overall goal of reaching consensus, solving problems or accomplishing tasks.

* Diversity, Equity and Inclusion: The ability to effectively manage and communicate across differences, identify and address barriers, and foster an inclusive, equitable work environment.

* Critical Thinking: The ability to carefully consider multiple pieces of information, from a variety of sources and perspectives, to integrate into a rational and beneficial solution.

* Interpersonal Skills: The ability to interact with others in a mutually respectful, genuine, direct, and supportive manner.

* Strategic Management: The ability to formulate objectives and priorities and implement initiatives to bring value to the organization's long-term objectives.

* Project Management: The ability to see the objective, the steps and resources needed to get there, the timeline is followed and the leadership necessary to impart the vision.

* Ability to work at a computer workstation for extended periods up to eight hours per day.

* Ability to speak on the telephone and/or communicate via video conference technology.

* Ability to sit for extended periods without breaks.

* Ability to perform repetitive movements, such as typing, and the use of commonly used office machines and supplies.

* Ability to lift and move a minimum of 10 pounds.

* Ability to communicate and present information in a clear manner.

* Ability to travel independently.

* Ability to travel within the Commonwealth of Virginia as needed for meetings and training.

* Ability to travel outside the Commonwealth as necessary for conferences or professional development.

Travel as required for conferences, meetings and college visits

The Virginia Community College System ( VCCS) provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, political affiliation, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or other non-merit factors.

The Virginia Community College System ( VCCS) is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer and complies with the Americans with Disabilities Acts ( ADA and ADAAA), to provide, reasonable accommodation to applicants in need of access to the application, interviewing, and selection processes when requested.