Northwestern University

Manager, Information Technology

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Northwestern University

Manager, Information Technology, Facilities Management

NorthwesternUniversityinvites applications and nominations for the position of Manager, Information Technology for Facilities Management.

Founded in 1851, NorthwesternUniversity is consistently recognized as one of the nation’s top universities for its quality of both undergraduate and graduate education. Northwestern is one of 62 North American universities admitted to the prestigious Association of American Universities, and it received $439 million in external research funding in 2007-2008. Northwestern encompasses 240 acres on its Evanston campus and 25 acres on its Chicago campus, both of which are located on Lake Michigan. The University also has a campus in Doha, Qatar.

NorthwesternUniversity has a full-time undergraduate student enrollment of 8,100 and a full-time graduate student body of 7,531. In addition, The School of Continuing Studies enrolls some 1,100 students in part-time, evening, undergraduate, and graduate programs. Through 11 colleges and schools, the University offers 130 undergraduate programs and 70 graduate and professional programs. Home to MacArthur Fellowship recipients, Tony Award winners, and Pulitzer Prize winners, Northwestern employs over 9,600 faculty and staff members.

The Facilities Management Information Technology (FMIT) function supports 285 full- time employees, 248 IT end users, 15 dedicated servers and more than 25 software package applications for technical, operations, security, design, planning, administrative, finance and management functions.

Reporting to the Director of Finance and Administration, the Manager, Information

Technology will plan, coordinate, direct, and design IT-related activities of the organization, as well as provide administrative direction and support for daily operational activities of the IT department. The IT Manager will work closely with the Director of Finance and Administration and the decision makers in other departments to identify, recommend, develop, implement, and support cost-effective technology solutions for all aspects of the organization. This person will also define and implement IT policies, procedures, and best practices in conjunction with NorthwesternUniversity. Specific responsibilities include the following:

  • lead, coordinate and direct from an IT perspective the integration, conversion and transition into a new Facilities Management CMMS, utilizing FAMIS, in conjunction with the conversion to the new university PeopleSoft financial system;
  • determine future Facilities Management (FM) technology needs and develop short- and long-term strategies in coordination with FM operational goals, financial impact, university-wide IT/financial systems initiatives and user requirements;
  • develop and plan technology investments for all FM departments in close coordination with department directors;
  • develop and update FM IT policies and practices in conjunction with Central Administration, NUIT and FM management;
  • plan, develop, implement FM needs and annually update a staffing and succession plan assuring necessary skills, training and employee development for optimal and effective service to FM and FM customers;
  • assist in development and participation in a training regimen for all FM user groups;
  • manage and provide leadership and direction to the six full time IT professionals in all aspects of IT functions including operations, programming, network administration, software and hardware installation and function and user troubleshooting;
  • oversee the effectiveness of FM IT software programming, network and application support of FM users in key technical areas including FAMIS, Lock Shop, Projecto, Marloc security system, and DDC;
  • participate in and recommend improvements, upgrades or change as necessary for improved and optimal operational efficiency for users;
  • upgrade and implement all appropriate IT security measures as required and necessary;
  • recommend changes and insure the communication of security warnings to all FM users in a timely and expeditious manner;
  • oversee and advise recommendations to all FM users on the appropriate hardware/software or accessory equipment for a given application;
  • source, identify, and negotiate with vendors to ensure best technology, service and price for any given application or need;
  • maintain accurate and current records of hardware inventory, purchases, user and disposition of all equipment in accordance with established policy and practice;
  • communicate with Facility Management colleagues on all changes, security threats, enhancements or any influence that may affect optimal and continuous operation of the IT system or any FM user group;
  • ensure the efficient operation of all individual user equipment, effective troubleshooting, problem-solving and needed replacement on a timely basis; and
  • remain current on all changes, new equipment, processes and applications in the information technology field.

Qualifiedcandidates will have a Bachelor’s degree, with a preference in computer science, and a minimum of 3 years of direct management experience in an IT setting. Specific qualifications include:

  • at least 4 years experience in programming and integrating legacy systems with new software platforms;
  • significant and relevant experience in managing a broad variety of information technology functions in a complex, multi-faceted environment;
  • a preference for those individuals with successful experience in a higher educational setting utilizing PeopleSoft and/or CMMS;
  • experience in assessing the strategic and financial determinants of technology decisions and possess the flexibility to make critical decisions in support of the organizations objectives and mission;
  • the ability to strategically focus and conceptualize the necessary long and short term requirements in selection, design, and implementation of complex IT systems in a business/academic environment at all levels;
  • hands on knowledge of programming within a variety of environments: SQL, VB.net and ASP.net;
  • experience with COGNOS tools;
  • strong leadership skills with the ability to interact and work with a broad, multi-disciplined group of professionals, including building relationships and resolving conflicts;
  • excellent analytical, problem solving and decision-making skills and ability to initiate and achieve defined objectives;
  • highly self-motivated and directed;
  • ability to present ideas in business-friendly and user-friendly language;
  • exceptional customer service orientation;
  • excellent written and oral communication skills; and
  • a preference for those individuals with experience in managing software implementations.

All correspondence should be directed to the University’s executive recruitment consultant:

Martin M. Baker, Vice President

Baker and Associates LLC

301 North Main Street, Suite 2449

Winston-Salem, NC 27101