Chief Information Officer, Wharton

University Overview

The University of Pennsylvania, the largest private employer in Philadelphia, is a world-renowned leader in education, research, and innovation. This historic, Ivy League school consistently ranks among the top 10 universities in the annual U.S. News & World Report survey. Penn has 12 highly-regarded schools that provide opportunities for undergraduate, graduate and continuing education, all influenced by Penn’s distinctive interdisciplinary approach to scholarship and learning. As an employer Penn has been ranked nationally on many occasions with the most recent award from Forbes who named Penn one of America’s Best Large Employers in 2023.

Penn offers a unique working environment within the city of Philadelphia. The University is situated on a beautiful urban campus, with easy access to a range of educational, cultural, and recreational activities. With its historical significance and landmarks, lively cultural offerings, and wide variety of atmospheres, Philadelphia is the perfect place to call home for work and play.

The University offers a competitive benefits package that includes excellent healthcare and tuition benefits for employees and their families, generous retirement benefits, a wide variety of professional development opportunities, supportive work and family benefits, a wealth of health and wellness programs and resources, and much more.

Posted Job Title

Chief Information Officer, Wharton

Job Profile Title

Associate Dean of Administration, Information Technology

Job Description Summary

Wharton School Overview
Founded in 1881 as the world’s first collegiate business school, the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania is shaping the future of business by incubating ideas, driving insights, and creating leaders who change the world. With campuses in both Philadelphia and San Francisco, Wharton has over 850 staff, a faculty population of more than 235 renowned professors, and 5,000 undergraduate, MBA, executive MBA, and doctoral students. Each year 13,000 professionals from around the world advance their careers through Wharton Executive Education’s individual, company-customized, and online programs. More than 104,000 Wharton alumni form a powerful global network of leaders who transform business every day. Wharton is home to a diverse population of staff, representing a rich array of backgrounds, expertise, and cultures. To learn more, visit www.wharton.upenn.edu.

Job Description

Job Responsibilities

The Chief Information Officer (CIO) of the Wharton School is the leader responsible for driving the strategic planning, implementation, and management of technology resources that support and enhance the School's academic and research missions. The CIO will work in close collaboration with the CFO, Deputy Dean, Dean, and other senior leaders to develop and successfully execute aligned technology strategies that foster innovation in business research and education. This role requires a unique blend of technology expertise and financial insight to ensure optimal allocation of resources, strategic approaches to investment opportunities, and strong return on technology investments.
Key Responsibilities:

• Strategic Leadership: Develop and implement a forward-thinking technology strategy that aligns with the School's need for innovation and excellence in business research and education with disciplined financial oversight. Leverage strong business acumen to make strategic investment decisions, optimizing budget to support innovation, operational efficiency, and long-term sustainability.
• Technology Management: Oversee the planning, implementation, and support of all technology-related needs, including enterprise systems, client technology, custom applications, advanced research, and instructional services.
• Innovation and Advancement: Stay abreast of technological advancements and ensure the School remains at the forefront of utilizing cutting-edge technology to meet academic and research needs. Lead the development and deployment of innovative products and services. Make evidence-based recommendations on where to invest in new technologies, infrastructure improvements, and team development, ensuring resources are aligned with both immediate needs and long-term strategic goals.
• Information Security & Privacy: Promote a culture of information security, privacy, innovation, and digital transformation. Support the School's mission by identifying and reducing risk to acceptable levels. 
• Team Leadership: Lead, mentor, and manage a diverse team of over 135 professionals. Foster a collaborative and high-performance culture that encourages growth and development.
• DEI Focus: Promote diversity, equity, and inclusion within the technology organization. Recognize the importance of diverse viewpoints in driving innovation and problem-solving in IT. Develop and implement strategies to create an inclusive environment where all voices are acknowledged and valued. Foster a collaborative culture that encourages team members from all backgrounds to contribute and grow, ensuring equitable opportunities for professional development and advancement. 
• Budget Oversight: Manage an annual budget of over $35 million, overseeing the budgeting, forecasting, and financial management of all technology-related initiatives, ensuring effective resource allocation. This includes developing financial strategies that maximize return on investment and strategically guide the School's technology growth in alignment with its financial goals and objectives.
• Vendor Partnerships: Build and maintain strong, mutually beneficial relationships with technology vendors. Negotiate and manage vendor contracts to ensure the School receives the best value and services, leveraging these partnerships to drive innovation and efficiency. 
• Stakeholder Collaboration: Engage with faculty, staff, students, and other stakeholders to understand their needs and ensure that technology services meet or exceed their expectations as they are translated into strategically and financially sound technology solutions. Facilitate transparent decision-making processes that balance innovation and technical needs with financial sustainability.

Qualifications

A bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, Finance, Business Administration, or a closely related discipline and 10+ years of extensive IT leadership experience is required, or an equivalent combination of education and experience. 
 

• Experience in higher education or a similar complex, multi-stakeholder environment is highly desirable. 
• Proven Track Record: Demonstrated success in managing large-scale IT projects, overseeing multi-million dollar budgets, developing and implementing IT strategies, and leading digital transformation initiatives that drive institutional value.
• Budget Management: Experience managing substantial budgets and ensuring cost-effective technology investments. Deep understanding of finance and budgeting principles to support data-informed decision-making and resource prioritization.

Technical and Managerial Skills

• Strategic Vision: Ability to develop and implement a long-term IT vision that aligns with the institution's goals and objectives.
• Project Management: Strong project management skills to oversee the execution of IT projects on time and within budget.
• Technical Expertise: In-depth knowledge of IT infrastructure, cybersecurity, enterprise systems, cloud computing, data analytics, and emerging technologies.
• Leadership and Team Management: Proven ability to lead, mentor, and inspire a diverse team of IT professionals.
• Stakeholder Communication: Excellent communication skills to effectively engage with faculty, staff, students, and other stakeholders. Ability to explain complex technical concepts to non-technical audiences and balance needs with financial stability.

Soft Skills

• Problem-Solving: Strong analytical and problem-solving skills to address IT challenges and implement effective solutions.
• Adaptability: Ability to adapt to the rapidly changing technology landscape and respond to emerging threats and opportunities.
• Collaboration: Strong interpersonal skills to foster collaboration across departments and with external partners.

The Wharton School is partnering with global executive search firm, Spencer Group, to assist with this appointment. The search is being led by Spencer Group’s Partner & Head of the Innovation in Education practice, Dr. Micah Coston. Interested candidates should express formal interest by emailing a resume/CV to Evangeline Bailey, Head of Research: evangeline.bailey@spencergroup.com. Please note that submitting your resume/CV to Spencer Group indicates your interest in the position rather than a formal application. This search will remain open until an appointment is made.

Job Location - City, State

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Department / School

Wharton School

$151,000.00 - $300,000.00 Annual Rate

Salary offers are made based on the candidate’s qualifications, experience, skills, and education as they directly relate to the requirements of the position, as well as internal and market factors and grade profile.

Affirmative Action Statement 
Penn adheres to a policy that prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, creed, national or ethnic origin, citizenship status, age, disability, veteran status, or any other legally protected class.

Special Requirements 
Background check required after a conditional job offer is made. Consideration of the background check will be tailored to the requirements of the job.

University Benefits

• Health, Life, and Flexible Spending Accounts: Penn offers comprehensive medical, prescription, behavioral health, dental, vision, and life insurance benefits to protect you and your family’s health and welfare. You can also use flexible spending accounts to pay for eligible health care and dependent care expenses with pre-tax dollars.

• Tuition: Take advantage of Penn's exceptional tuition benefits. You, your spouse, and your dependent children can get tuition assistance here at Penn. Your dependent children are also eligible for tuition assistance at other institutions.

• Retirement: Penn offers generous retirement plans to help you save for your future. Penn’s Basic, Matching, and Supplemental retirement plans allow you to save for retirement on a pre-tax or Roth basis. Choose from a wide variety of investment options through TIAA and Vanguard.

• Time Away from Work: Penn provides you with a substantial amount of time away from work during the course of the year. This allows you to relax, take vacations, attend to personal affairs, recover from illness or injury, spend time with family—whatever your personal needs may be.

• Long-Term Care Insurance: In partnership with Genworth Financial, Penn offers faculty and staff (and your eligible family members) long-term care insurance to help you cover some of the costs of long-term care services received at home, in the community or in a nursing facility. If you apply when you’re newly hired, you won’t have to provide proof of good health or be subject to underwriting requirements. Eligible family members must always provide proof of good health and are subject to underwriting.

• Wellness and Work-life Resources: Penn is committed to supporting our faculty and staff as they balance the competing demands of work and personal life. That’s why we offer a wide variety of programs and resources to help you care for your health, your family, and your work-life balance.

• Professional and Personal Development: Penn provides an array of resources to help you advance yourself personally and professionally.

• University Resources: As a member of the Penn community, you have access to a wide range of University resources as well as cultural and recreational activities. Take advantage of the University’s libraries and athletic facilities, or visit our arboretum and art galleries. There’s always something going on at Penn, whether it’s a new exhibit at the Penn Museum, the latest music or theater presentation at the Annenberg Center, or the Penn Relays at Franklin Field to name just a few examples. As a member of the Penn community, you’re right in the middle of the excitement—and you and your family can enjoy many of these activities for free.

• Discounts and Special Services: From arts and entertainment to transportation and mortgages, you'll find great deals for University faculty and staff. Not only do Penn arts and cultural centers and museums offer free and discounted admission and memberships to faculty and staff. You can also enjoy substantial savings on other goods and services such as new cars from Ford and General Motors, cellular phone service plans, movie tickets, and admission to theme parks.

• Flexible Work Hours: Flexible work options offer creative approaches for completing work while promoting balance between work and personal commitments. These approaches involve use of non-traditional work hours, locations, and/or job structures.

• Penn Home Ownership Services: Penn offers a forgivable loan for eligible employees interested in buying a home or currently residing in West Philadelphia, which can be used for closing costs or home improvements.

• Adoption Assistance: Penn will reimburse eligible employees on qualified expenses in connection with the legal adoption of an eligible child, such as travel or court fees, for up to two adoptions in your household.

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To learn more, please visit: https://www.hr.upenn.edu/PennHR/benefits-pay