Job Description

Oklahoma State University (OSU) invites nominations and applications for the position of Chief Information Officer. This position reports to the Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of OSU.

Oklahoma State University

Established in 1890, Oklahoma State University is a modern land-grant university, fostering student success through a blend of tradition and innovation. OSU's goal is to become the preeminent land-grant institution in the country through a bold university strategy. Classified as a Carnegie R1 (Very High Research Activity) university, its leaders are advancing the institution further by supporting excellence across the tripartite mission of student instruction, ground-breaking research, and extending the university's knowledge and expertise to the communities we serve. OSU has more than 35,000 students and employs more than 7,000 faculty and staff across its system, with students from all 50 states and more than 100 nations.

OS has five campuses: Stillwater, which includes the College of Veterinary Medicine; OSU-Tulsa; OSU-Oklahoma City; OSU Institute of Technology in Okmulgee; and the OSU Center for Health Sciences in Tulsa, which includes the OSU Medical Center. OSU also boasts 16 agricultural experiment stations and 77 county extension offices across the state.

The City of Stillwater provides the perfect setting for a comprehensive research university and is important in attracting top faculty members because of the environment the community provides for OSU employees and their families. With a population of more than 48,000, Stillwater is the quintessential college town. It is the tenth largest city in Oklahoma and is conveniently located between the two largest cities in the state, Oklahoma City and Tulsa. As Stillwater's largest employer, OSU is committed to working with business and city leaders to provide economic development opportunities in Stillwater. The city has a diverse economy with a foundation in aerospace, agribusiness, biotechnology, optoelectronics, printing and publishing, and software and standard manufacturing. Stillwater has been named one of the "6th Fastest Growing Small Towns in America" by Forbes.com and one of the top 100 places to live by CNN/Money Magazine.

The Chief Information Officer

Oklahoma State University is seeking a visionary and collaborative Chief Information Officer (CIO) to lead a dynamic, service-driven technology organization supporting the OSU/A&M System. This role serves as the system-wide CIO, providing strategic and operational leadership for Information Technology (IT) services across OSU campuses, while partnering closely with OSU Center for Health Sciences (CHS) and overseeing enterprise-level services that extend to five additional system institutions.

Reporting to the Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, the CIO will work closely with campus IT directors, academic and administrative leaders, and technical teams to deliver innovative, secure and cost-effective technology solutions. Key areas of collaboration include strategic planning, shared service delivery, technology evaluation, cybersecurity, policy development, digital experience and cost-sharing models.

This is a unique opportunity to shape the future of technology at a leading land-grant institution, ensuring that IT services empower students, faculty, and staff to achieve their goals through the effective use of technology.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications:
Bachelor's degree and ten years of progressively responsible IT leadership experience, including: strategic planning and execution, managing enterprise-level IT operations, leading cross-functional teams. Demonstrated success in budget management, staff development, vendor relations and contract negotiations, IT governance, cybersecurity and compliance, digital transformation initiatives, and ability to direct a large-scale information technology organization consisting of decentralized information technology units. Strong leadership and interpersonal skills. Deep understanding of current and emerging technologies. Ability to align IT strategy with institutional goals. Knowledge of regulatory and compliance frameworks (e.g., FERPA, HIPAA, etc.). Knowledge of digital accessibility and requirements. Excellent communication skills, including the ability to explain technical concepts to nontechnical audiences. Experience with ERP systems, cloud
services, and data governance. Strong customer service orientation.

Preferred Qualifications:

Master's degree in business administration, information systems, public administration, higher education leadership, or related field. Experience in higher education and certifications in the areas of cybersecurity and project management. Strong acumen for user experience-focused design and development with proven background in enabling seamless customer-facing and employee digital experiences. Knowledge of data management and governance.

Job Responsibilities

The CIO will provide strategic executive leadership that includes operational responsibility for the university's comprehensive information technology, security and cybersecurity programs, including:

Strategic and Operational Leadership

• Provide vision and direction for the development and implementation of technology strategies that support the academic, research, and administrative goals of OSU and the OSU/A&M System.
• Ensure the delivery of reliable, secure, and efficient EIT operations, including:
• Wired and wireless network infrastructure
• Voice and telecommunications systems
• Server and database administration
• Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems
• End-user support (help desk, executive, and deskside services)
• Data center operations
• Application development and support
• IT security and compliance
• Business continuity and disaster recovery
• Collaborate with campus IT directors, department heads, and technical staff to assess needs, plan joint projects and deliver shared services.
• Lead the development of EIT-related policies and conduct risk assessments to ensure compliance with state and federal regulations
• Represent EIT on university and system-wide committees and working groups
• Support efforts to enhance the digital experiences of various constituents
• Leverage emerging technologies to modernize operations and strengthen delivery of core services
• Assist efforts to maximize the use of data to achieve strategic goals across the OSU/A&M System

Personnel Leadership and Development

• Lead and support a team of approximately 100 IT professionals across the Stillwater, Tulsa and Oklahoma City campuses.
• Work closely with EIT directors and managers to:
• Set strategic direction and performance expectations
• Recruit, retain, and develop top EIT talent
• Delegate responsibilities and oversee project execution
• Foster a culture of collaboration, innovation, and continuous improvement

Financial Management and Budgeting

• Collaborate with EIT leadership to identify and prioritize funding needs for technology initiatives and infrastructure
• Conduct rate structure analysis for telecommunication and ID services
• Identify and implement cost-saving opportunities and operational efficiencies
• Oversee the management of the University Technology Services Fee (UTSF), ensuring transparency through regular reporting and public posting of project and financial information

Application Process

While applications and nominations will be accepted until a successful candidate has been appointed, interested parties are encouraged to submit their materials by June 29, 2026 to receive optimal consideration. Applications (letter of interest addressing the qualifications and responsibilities listed above, current resume, and the names, email addresses and telephone numbers of five references) must be submitted here: CIO Posting. For additional information, please contact our search consultants at Buffkin / Baker:

Mr. Martin M. Baker

Ms. Chelsie Whitelock

Buffkin/Baker

osucio@buffkinbaker.com

To learn more about this opportunity, please view the Chief Information Officer Leadership Profile

Oklahoma State University, as an equal opportunity employer, complies with all applicable federal and state laws regarding non- discrimination. Oklahoma State University is committed to a policy of equal opportunity for all individuals and does not discriminate based on race, religion, age, sex, color, national origin, marital status, disability, or veteran status with regard to employment, educational programs and activities, and/or admissions.

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