Director of Information Technology

The Art Academy of Cincinnati is seeking a full-time, experienced, and service-oriented Director of Information Technology Services to join our team. The Director provides leadership and oversight of information technology services across the college, ensuring reliable, secure, and effective technology systems that support AAC’s academic programs, administrative operations, and campus community.  

JOB SUMMARY:  

The Director of Information Technology Services provides strategic and operational leadership for the Art Academy of Cincinnati’s technology infrastructure, systems, and services. The Director oversees network operations, cybersecurity, servers and databases, administrative systems, desktop and user support, computer labs, classroom technology, software and applications, and communications systems to ensure reliable, secure, and effective technology across the college.  

Working collaboratively with faculty, staff, students, and external technology partners, the Director evaluates current and emerging technology needs, leads technology projects and system improvements, manages vendors and resources, and develops policies and procedures that support the effective and responsible use of technology. The position plays a key role in aligning AAC’s technology resources and investments with institutional priorities and the college’s academic and administrative needs.  

This position is full-time and exempt, with hours commonly scheduled Monday through Friday between 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. Flexibility is required to respond to technology issues, system maintenance, special events, and periods of increased institutional activity.  

Essential Duties:  

• Lead and oversee AAC’s technology infrastructure, systems, services, and user support across academic and administrative operations.  
• Assess current and emerging technology needs and develop strategic plans that align IT resources, staffing, and investments with institutional priorities.  
• Maintain reliable and secure network, server, hardware, software, wireless, classroom, lab, and communications systems, and provide responsive technical support to students, faculty, and staff.  
• Administer and support AAC’s institutional platforms, including Campus Café, Blackbaud Raiser’s Edge, Jotform, ADP, Microsoft Teams and SharePoint, TargetX, Guardian, Adobe Creative Cloud, and specialized academic software.  
• Manage system implementations, integrations, upgrades, data exchange, user access, authentication, and other technology projects in collaboration with college departments and external partners.  
• Lead cybersecurity, data security, backup and recovery, business continuity, technology policies and procedures, regulatory responses, and responses to security incidents or breaches.  
• Regularly evaluate technology systems, services, licenses, and infrastructure to identify opportunities for improvement, consolidation, replacement, or additional investment.  
• Supervise IT personnel and contracted technology support, establish priorities, assign work, and support training and professional development.  
• Develop and manage the IT budget, recommend technology expenditures, and advise college leadership on technology needs, risks, priorities, and emerging technologies.  
• Manage technology vendors, consultants, and service providers and evaluate outsourced, shared-service, and cloud-based solutions when appropriate.  
• Maintain appropriate documentation of technology systems, accounts, licenses, equipment, configurations, vendors, and procedures to support security and continuity of operations.  
• Serve as the College HIPAA liaison and Security liaison on the Campus Security Committee and coordinate related technology, privacy, security, and compliance responsibilities.  
• Support technology needs for facilities, classrooms, studios, campus events, and other institutional initiatives, and provide technology guidance and training as needed.  
• Serve as an ex-officio member of the College Facilities and Technology Committee, participate in institutional planning, and represent IT needs and priorities across the college.  
• Additional duties that drive our Vision and fulfill our Mission as assigned and required by the President and Executive Team.  

The ideal candidate will possess:  

• Demonstrated experience managing information technology services, infrastructure, systems, and projects, with strong leadership, organizational, and project-management skills.  
• Broad technical knowledge of networking, servers, cloud-based computing, endpoint management, cybersecurity, data storage, web services, database administration, and emerging technologies.  
• Experience supporting both Mac and Windows environments and the ability to evaluate and implement technology solutions based on institutional needs.  
• Strong strategic thinking and problem-solving skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and respond effectively to changing technology and institutional needs.  
• Excellent written, verbal, interpersonal, and technical communication skills, including the ability to explain technology clearly to users with varying levels of technical experience.  
• A strong service orientation and commitment to providing responsive technology support for students, faculty, and staff.  
• A collaborative and solutions-oriented approach, with the ability to work effectively across departments and with administrators, faculty, staff, students, vendors, consultants, and external partners.  

Reporting Structure  

This full-time, salaried position reports to the President and collaborates closely with the Financial Officer; Executive Director of Academic Affairs and Academic Dean; Executive Director of Enrollment, Marketing, and Student Success; Executive Director of Facilities; Department Heads; faculty; staff; and external technology partners to advance AAC’s mission and maintain reliable, secure, and effective technology services.  

Minimum Qualifications:  

• Bachelor’s degree in Information Technology, Computer Science, Information Systems, Cybersecurity, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of relevant education and professional experience  
• Minimum of two years of IT project management or comparable technology leadership experience  
• Demonstrated technical aptitude and understanding of information technology best practices  
• Experience supporting network operations, hardware, software, servers, cloud-based systems, or related technology infrastructure  
• Proficiency supporting both Mac and Windows operating systems  
• Knowledge of cybersecurity, data security, backup and recovery, access management, and technology risk  
• Strong project-management, planning, organizational, and problem-solving skills  
• Strong time-management skills and attention to detail  
• Effective written, verbal, interpersonal, and technical communication skills  
• Ability to manage multiple competing priorities and respond effectively to urgent technology needs  
• Ability to work collaboratively across departments and with a wide range of constituents  

Desired Qualifications:  

• More than two years of IT management or technology leadership experience, including project supervision, planning, budgeting, and procurement  
• Experience working in higher education, particularly within a small college, art and design college, or similarly collaborative environment  
• Experience administering or integrating higher-education systems such as Campus Café, Blackbaud Raiser’s Edge, Jotform, ADP, Microsoft Teams and SharePoint, TargetX, and Guardian, or comparable platforms  
• Experience supporting Adobe Creative Cloud and specialized academic software used in creative disciplines  
• Experience with system integration, cloud-based services, endpoint management, databases, user access, authentication, and data security  
• Experience developing and implementing cybersecurity and information-security policies and procedures  
• Experience managing technology vendors, consultants, managed service providers, or other outsourced technology services  

Program Summary  

The Art Academy of Cincinnati’s mission is to create and sustain radical, forward-thinking, contemporary visual artists and designers whose creative contributions make a substantial difference in all the lives they touch. AAC, established in 1869, is an independent college of art and design. Degrees granted are the Associate of Science in Graphic Design; the Bachelor of Fine Arts in Creative Writing, Design, Illustration, Painting and Drawing, Photography, Print Media, Digital Arts Animation, and Sculpture; and the Master of Arts in Art Education. Accredited by the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD), AAC is a charter member of both NASAD and the Association of Independent Colleges of Art and Design (AICAD). AAC is also accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and is a member of the Strategic Ohio Council for Higher Education (SOCHE).  

AAC is committed to building a culturally diverse educational environment and encourages candidates representing diverse backgrounds to apply. AAC is committed to policies of equal opportunity and non-discrimination based on sexual orientation, race, color, national origin, religion, sex, gender, gender identity or gender expression, age, disability, or veteran status, as protected by law. This includes all educational programs and activities, admission of students, advertisements, and conditions of employment. This policy is consistent with relevant governmental statutes and regulations, including those pursuant to Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973.  

Application Information  

To apply, please submit the following:  

• Letter of Interest addressing the job summary and qualifications  
• Resume or Curriculum Vitae  
• List of three professional references and contact information, including email and phone numbers  

AAC conducts criminal background checks with E-Verify on all job candidates upon acceptance of a contingent offer.