Chief Information Officer (CIO)

We are seeking a strategic and experienced Chief Information Officer (CIO) to lead our organization's technology vision and infrastructure.

JOB TITLE : Chief Information Officer

CLASSIFICATION : Full-time, Salaried

REPORTS TO : Vice President for Finance and CFO

DEPARTMENT : Information Technology

LOCATION : Grand Rapids, Michigan

SUMMARY: The Chief Information Officer (CIO) will oversee all aspects of information technology, ensuring alignment with goals, fostering innovation, and maintaining robust security protocols. The CIO will also be a leader in identifying, developing and implementing AI strategies and initiatives to improve quality, service and operating efficiency. This executive role requires a forward-thinking leader with expertise in IT management, cybersecurity, cloud computing, artificial and business intelligence to drive transformation and operational excellence. The core of Cornerstone University is defined and driven by its Christ-centered mission and Biblical confession.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Provide strategic direction for the University’s IT and AI strategies aligned with the University’s mission, vision and strategic initiatives
• Provide executive leadership for cybersecurity strategy, establishing and enforcing best practices to protect institutional data, systems, and infrastructure against evolving threats.
• Lead enterprise-wide initiatives in software, system, and application design, development and implementation.
• Drive innovation through emerging technologies such as AI, machine learning, natural language processing, and other emerging technologies.
• Oversee IT infrastructure to ensure excellence, including networking, cloud infrastructure, distributed systems, and network security measures including firewalls and cybersecurity protocols.
• Develop and implement IT governance frameworks to ensure compliance and risk mitigation.
• Lead disaster recovery planning, business continuity planning, and risk management.
• Oversee vendor negotiations for cloud services, ERP systems, and other third-party solutions.
• Manage the IT budget effectively while prioritizing projects that enhance operational efficiency and support strategic growth.
• Develop and lead a high-performance IT
• Collaborate with senior leadership to align technology initiatives with organizational goals; communicate complex technical concepts to non-technical stakeholders.
• All Cornerstone University employees will regularly interact with students in a variety of projects, activities, and settings. As such all employees are expected to serve as Christian leaders and mentors by effectively living a gospel-centered lifestyle, ministering and discipling through a biblical worldview.
• Performs other related duties as may be assigned.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS and ABILITIES:

• Embody, model, and serve as the chief spiritual, intellectual, and administrative leader of the department.
• Proven leadership skills in senior management roles with a focus on strategic planning and business continuity planning.
• Strong analysis skills for positively influencing system design and application development; ability to manage large-scale distributed systems effectively.
• Extensive background in one or more of the technical aspects of a well-rounded IT department such as:
  • computer networking, cloud computing and IT infrastructure management.
  • user application development, refinement, and retirement
  • software development including mobile applications for iPhone and Android
  • customer service including business analyst and report writing roles
  • cybersecurity

• Successfully demonstrate knowledge and application of AI to enhance quality, outcomes, and efficiency.
• Demonstrated success in project management, leading cross-functional teams and collaborating with senior leaders in fast-paced environments.
• Demonstrated success in application of IT governance frameworks and overall IT compliance.
• experience managing cloud development projects; understanding of ERP systems integration.
• Education, Training and Demonstrated successful experience:
  • Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field
  • At least 10 years of progressively responsible technology and leadership positions.
  • Financial and Budget Management
  • Performance Management/Coaching and Accountability
  • +Interpersonal skills. Ability to engage with and lead people with diverse knowledge and skills.
  • Demonstrated successful organizational skills, well disciplined, able to work under pressure of many priorities and meet deadlines. Results driven.
  • Demonstrated success in long-range planning and achieving desired outcomes.

ESSENTIAL QUALIFICATIONS:

• A personal relationship with Jesus Christ and an active Christian commitment.
• A theology that supports the values and mission of Cornerstone University core commitments evidenced by an ability to affirm and sign the university’s doctrinal statement, “The Cornerstone Confession.”
• Four other foundational pillars, along with the university’s mission and confession, form Cornerstone’s Core Commitments.
  • The Cornerstone Christian World View
  • The Cornerstone Academic Vision
  • The Cornerstone Beautiful Christian Community
  • The Marriage and Human Sexuality Position Statement

These core commitments convey who we are, what we believe and how we live and work together in community. Employees are expected to faithfully attend an evangelical and biblical church whose core beliefs and practices are consistent with Cornerstone’s confession and core commitments.

To learn more about the Cornerstone mission and deliverables, please visit