Director of Information Technology

Job Description

The Director of Information Technology reports to the Vice President of Finance and Administration & Chief Financial Officer and serves as the Institute’s senior IT leader responsible for the strategic direction, planning, and operational management of information technology services.

Director of Information Technology

This role provides leadership across all aspects of IT, including infrastructure, cybersecurity, enterprise applications, service delivery, data governance, and technology planning. In collaboration with the Claremont Colleges consortium, the Director ensures secure, reliable, and innovative technology services that support approximately 1,000 students, faculty, and staff and advance the Institute’s mission.

The Director partners with campus leadership to align technology initiatives with institutional priorities, improve operational effectiveness, and enhance academic and administrative experience.

Keck Graduate Institute (KGI) was founded in 1997 as the first higher‑education institution in the United States dedicated exclusively to education and research related to the applied life sciences. KGI offers innovative postgraduate degrees and certificates that integrate life and health sciences, business, pharmacy, engineering, and genetics, focusing on industry projects, hands‑on industry experiences, and team collaborations. Located in beautiful Claremont, California, KGI is a member of the Claremont Colleges, a consortium of five undergraduate liberal arts colleges, two graduate institutions, and the Claremont Colleges Services, which provide shared institutional support services.

A Bachelor's degree in Information Technology, Computer Science, Information Security, or a related field is required, with a Master's degree preferred. The ideal candidate will have a minimum of 7–10 years of progressively responsible experience in information technology, including demonstrated leadership and management experience. Experience in higher education or similarly complex organizations is strongly preferred. The candidate must also have proven experience in IT operations, cybersecurity, enterprise systems, vendor management, and budgeting.

• Provide strategic leadership for all IT functions, aligning technology initiatives with institutional goals.
• Develop and maintain a multi‑year IT roadmap, including infrastructure, systems, and cybersecurity priorities.
• Serve as a trusted advisor to senior leadership on technology trends, risks, and opportunities.
• Lead campus‑wide technology planning efforts and support institutional strategic initiatives.

• Oversee all IT services, including infrastructure, enterprise applications, help desk, and instructional technologies.
• Ensure reliable, secure, and high‑performing systems, networks, and services.
• Establish and monitor service levels, performance metrics, and continuous improvement processes.
• Lead incident response and problem management for critical IT issues.

• Develop, implement, and maintain a comprehensive information security program.
• Lead cybersecurity strategy, risk assessments, and mitigation efforts.
• Oversee incident response, vulnerability management, and security monitoring.
• Ensure compliance with applicable regulations, standards, and best practices.
• Coordinate third‑party security assessments, audits, and vendor risk management.
• Promote campus‑wide security awareness and training programs.

• Oversee IT infrastructure, including networks, servers, cloud services, and data storage.
• Ensure effective management of enterprise systems and applications supporting academic and administrative functions.
• Lead technology lifecycle planning, including upgrades, replacements, and modernization initiatives.

• Develop and maintain business continuity and disaster recovery plans.
• Conduct regular testing and updates to ensure organizational resilience.

• Develop and manage the IT…