Chief Information Officer

Smith College

Northampton, MA

Chief Information Officer

Smith College invites applications, expressions of interest, and nominations for the position of Chief Information Officer (CIO). Smith seeks a visionary, mission-driven, and strategic leader with strong communication and interpersonal skills to lead the alignment of technology with the college's strategic priorities, fostering digital transformation, and enabling a dynamic and inclusive learning environment. The CIO will serve as a key collaborator and thought partner to the college's senior leadership as they look to meet the unique needs of faculty, staff, and students and advance academic excellence, equity, and innovation in the liberal arts.

Smith's mission is to educate women of promise for lives of distinction and purpose. Located in Northampton, MA, Smith College is one of the largest women's colleges in the country and is dedicated to excellence in teaching and research across the liberal arts. A faculty of outstanding scholars interact with students in small classes, as advisors, and through student-faculty research projects. As a dynamic liberal arts institution, Smith emphasizes leadership, public service, research, sustainability, and intellectual freedom.

POSITION DETAILS

The Chief Information Officer (CIO) provides strategic vision, leadership, and management of the college's technology and data infrastructure, ensuring that IT supports the institution's academic and administrative goals. The CIO leads the development and implementation of technology solutions that enhance teaching, learning, research, and operations while maintaining a secure, efficient, and forward-thinking IT environment while also fostering a culture of high performance, collaboration, continuous improvement, and accountability. The CIO reports to the Executive Vice President for Finance and Administration, oversees a departmental budget of $8.9M, and manages Information Technology Services, an organization of ~60 employees with a central salary budget of $8.3M.

We recognize that there is a spectrum of lived and professional experience that will set candidates up for success in this role. While no one candidate will have every experience outlined in the position description, ideal candidates will display the following professional and personal qualities, skills, and characteristics.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required; a degree in information technology, computer science, or a related field is preferred (Master's degree a plus).

• Will also consider an equivalent combination of education and progressively responsible IT leadership experience, preferably in a mission-driven setting.

• Minimum of 7-10 years of relevant experience required.

• Strong understanding of academic and administrative technology needs in a liberal arts environment.

• Proven experience managing IT infrastructure, cybersecurity, and enterprise systems.

• Strategic leadership of IT innovation in an institutional setting.

• Excellent leadership, communication, and problem-solving skills.

• Commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion in technology services.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with cloud computing, digital transformation, and data analytics in higher education.

• Knowledge of learning management systems (LMS) and student information systems (SIS).

• Familiarity with federal and state regulations related to IT security and data privacy.

• Leadership in guiding institutions and senior leaders on the ethical and effective use of artificial intelligence (AI).

• Data governance and data warehouse management experience.

• A "storyteller" adept at communicating not just the what, but the why behind innovation and change.

• A familiarity with shared governance environments.

Key Competencies

• Strategic and mission minded

• Exceptional leadership

• Strong partner and collaborator

• Customer service oriented

• Excellent communicator

• Evangelist of human-centered technology

• Value informed

• Consensus driven

This is a full-time position that will be performed on-site in Massachusetts. Salary commensurate with experience with a generous benefits package. To learn more about Smith's benefits offerings, please visit Smith's HR website.

DSG Storbeck has been exclusively retained for this engagement, which is being led by Holly Jackson, Managing Director. For best consideration, please submit a compelling cover letter and resume by filling out our Talent Profile by Monday, August 18, 2025. For additional information, you may contact the search team at SmithCIO@storbecksearch.com. All inquiries are strictly confidential.

To learn more about this opportunity, please review the position posting on the DSG Storbeck website.

As set forth in our mission and values, Smith College is committed to promoting a culture of equity and inclusion among students, staff and faculty. The college will not discriminate in employment on the basis of age, race, color, ethnicity, national origin, creed, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, genetic information, age, veteran status, physical or mental disability, or any other classification protected by law. Smith College is an equal opportunity employer and complies with all state and federal laws that prohibit discrimination.