OU Education Services (OUES) is a nonprofit corporation established to manage and expand online learning for the University of Oklahoma System. As a growing education technology organization, we are dedicated to delivering innovative solutions that enhance learning outcomes, improve student experiences, and support the university's mission of providing high-quality education to learners everywhere.

At OUES, we prioritize collaboration and provide opportunities for our teams to work closely to deliver meaningful, impactful results. We are a talent focused organization and encourage applicants from all regions, we have a preference for candidates who are in or open to relocating to the Oklahoma City metro area. Being part of our vibrant community fosters richer collaboration and a stronger alignment with OU and the OUES mission.

 

OU Education Services is seeking a dedicated and experienced Director of IT to join our team. The Director of IT will be a strategic leader responsible for shaping and executing the organization’s technology vision to support academic and operational excellence. This role oversees all IT infrastructure, business applications, data platforms, and cybersecurity initiatives while ensuring seamless integration of student data management systems across multiple colleges and new partnerships. The Director will align technology platforms with institutional goals, lead digital transformation, and ensure robust analytics, security, and user experience across the student lifecycle.

 

 

 Key Responsibilities:

·       Develop and execute a comprehensive multi-year technology roadmap that includes the implementation of a next-generation data and analytics strategy, modernized ERP systems (CRM,, SIS, LMS), and future-proof infrastructure to support both current and projected  growth.

·       Continuously Identify and evaluate new emerging technologies to improve business processes, drive digital transformation  and innovation, to improve student experience and maintain a competitive edge.

·       Champion an AI-readiness and digital automation plan, including foundational data governance and hygiene, integration strategies, and enterprise architecture to enable intelligent applications and automation.

·       Partner with executive leadership and departments heads to understand their technology needs and provide strategic guidance.

·       Collaborate  with Finance to forecast, plan and maintain IT budget, ensuring strategic investments, cost-effective and measurable ROI on technology initiatives.

·       Serve as the primary advisor to the executive team on the intersection of technology, data, and student success outcomes.

 Platform Execution:

·      Oversee the selection, implementation, and optimization of key business applications and platforms.  (e.g., ERP, CRM, HRIS).

·      Ensure the seamless integration of systems to create a cohesive and efficient technology ecosystem.

·      Drive standardization and rationalization of  IT platforms to reduce complexity and improve operational efficiency.

·      Manage the full lifecycle of business applications, including updates, patches, and retirement strategies.

·      Build and maintain the architecture for learning analytics dashboards and predictive models across the student journey.

·      Oversee integrations with ERP systems aligned with academic and operational processes (e.g., Banner, Workday, Oracle Cloud).

·      Design and implement a data warehouse or learning analytics platform integrating data from LMS, SIS, CRM and other tools to enable visibility into learner behavior and outcomes. 

·      Oversee the design, implementation, maintenance, and support of all IT infrastructure, including networks, servers, data centers, cloud environments, and end-user computing.

·      Manage IT service desk operations, ensuring timely and effective resolution of technical issues.

·      Ensure the availability, performance, scalability and security of all IT systems and applications.

·      Implement and maintain robust recovery and business continuity plans, including regular testing and updates.

·      Monitor and optimize cloud services and vendor-managed infrastructure to ensure cost-effectiveness and compliance

·      Build and maintain the architecture to support learning analytics dashboards, predicative models and AI driven insights across the student journey.

·      Collaborate with academic leaders, marketing, and student success teams to design dashboards and reporting tools that inform recruitment strategies, at-risk interventions, and performance analysis.

·      Lead the design of student journey maps that unify data across platforms to improve personalization, retention strategies and student outcomes.

·      Continuously evaluate analytics tools and emerging technologies to improve forecasting, behavioral modeling, and student lifecycle intelligence

·      Develop, implement, and enforce comprehensive cybersecurity policies, procedures, and controls to protect company data and systems.

·      Lead incident response efforts and conduct regular risk assessments and security audits to identify and address vulnerability assessments.

·      Ensure compliance with relevant data privacy regulations (e.g., GDPR, CCPA, FERPA, HIPPA, etc.)

·      Implement employee cybersecurity awareness and training programs to reduce risks associated with human error.

·      Oversee the security of cloud-based services and third-party platforms, ensuring proper access management, encryption, and monitoring

·       Oversee the procurement of IT hardware, software, and services, ensuring best value and alignment with strategic goals.

·       Manage relationships with IT vendors, negotiate contracts, and ensure service level agreements (SLAs) are met.

·       Evaluate vendor performance and conduct regular reviews to ensure quality, cost-effectiveness, and compliance with security and data privacy requirements.

·       Communicate IT initiatives, performance, and challenges effectively to executive leadership and other stakeholders.

·       Promote cross-functional collaboration and ensure IT effectively supports the needs of all departments.

·       Foster a culture of continuous learning, collaboration, and customer service within the IT department.

·       Define, track, and report on key performance indicators (KPIs) for all IT services and operations (e.g., uptime, response times, project delivery rates, security incidents, budget adherence).

·       Regularly analyze KPI data to identify trends, areas for improvement, and ensure IT performance aligns with business expectations.

·       Implement corrective actions and strategic initiatives based on KPI analysis to continuously enhance IT service delivery and efficiency.

The ideal candidate for the Director of IT position will embody the following behaviors, contributing to a positive and productive work environment:

·       Architect of the Future: Comfortable designing systems for tomorrow, not just maintaining legacy environments.

·       Mission-Aligned Technologies: Shares our vision to expand access and improve outcomes for online learners through technology.

·       Results-Oriented: Drives for outcomes, holding self and team accountable for delivering high-quality IT services and projects on time and within budget.

·       Integrity & Ownership: Acts with transparency and personal accountability, ensuring ethical practices and data security at every level of technology operations.

·       Change Champion: Leads with a growth mindset, embracing change, and fostering an adaptive, learning oriented team culture.

·       Innovation-Minded: Stays ahead of technology trends and anticipates shifts in how education is delivered, measured, and optimized through tech.

·       Player-Coach Leader: All leaders at OUES work as player coaches as we strongly believe in roll-up-your sleeve leadership approach. All leaders take ownership of developing and nurturing their teams.

·       Bachelor’s degree in computer science, Information Technology, Information Systems, or a related field.

·       Master's degree or relevant certifications (e.g., PMP, ITIL, CISSP, AWS/Azure cloud certifications, or data governance/security credentials) a strong plus.

·       Minimum of 8+ years of progressive experience in InformationTechnology, with at least 5+ years in a leadership or management role.

·       Proven experience in developing and executing enterprise-level IT strategies and technology roadmaps.

·       Strong track record of managing complex IT projects platform integrations (ERP, CRM, LMS, SIS), and multi-cloud environments.

·       Demonstrated expertise in data strategy, governance, and analytics initiatives

·       Experience leading cybersecurity programs, risk management, and compliance with data privacy regulations

·       Excellent leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills.

·       Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities.

·       Demonstrated ability to manage budgets and resources effectively.

·       Deep understanding of IT infrastructure, networking, security, and software development lifecycles.

·       Ability to translate complex technical concepts into business terms.

·       Proactive, results-oriented, and a strategic thinker.

·       Strong organizational and time management skills.

·       Demonstrated experience building analytics and reporting infrastructure in an edtech or higher education environment.

·       Deep familiarity with student information systems (SIS), CRMs, and LMS integrations, ideally in a university or Online Program Manager context.

·       Understanding of AI Capabilities such as predictive analytics, chatbot automation, intelligent nudging, or curriculum insights – and experience implementing enabling infrastructure.

·       Exposure to data governance frameworks and privacy compliance (FERPA, GDPR, etc.) in an educational setting

·       Familiarity with digital marketing tools and conversion tracking as part of student acquisition funnel optimization.

·       Proven experience with Edtech, education product development, and Online Program Management (OPM) experience.

·       Strong understanding of integration frameworks and APIs to enable seamless interoperability between diverse platforms and third-party systems

·       Proven ability to lead change management and user adoption initiatives during technology implementations and platform migrations

·       Competitive salary and benefits package

·       401(k)

·       Volunteer days

·       Wellness reimbursement

·       Opportunities for professional development and career growth.

·       Hybrid work environment promoting work-life balance.

 

$149,699 - $164,015 a year