DIRECTOR OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY & SYSTEMS

We continually strive for a workforce that reflects the growing diversity within the State of Illinois. A variety of employee backgrounds, perspectives, ideas and experiences are crucial to our ability to most effectively serve the public. Bilingual skills welcome

Reasonable Accommodation Statement

The State of Illinois is committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodations to people with disabilities. Further, federal law requires employers to provide reasonable accommodation to qualified individuals with disabilities. Please tell us if you require a reasonable accommodation to apply for a job, interview for a job, or for any other activity related to the hiring process. Examples of reasonable accommodation include, but are not limited to, making a change to the application process (if possible), providing documents in an alternate format, using a sign language interpreter, or using specialized equipment.

To be provided a Reasonable Accommodation during the hiring process, you will need to provide a certification of disability from a physician, psychiatrist, school official or an Illinois Department of Human Services (DHS) Division of Rehabilitation Services (DRS) Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) Counselor. Supporting documentation should be uploaded under My Documents → Additional Documents section for each application.

Any questions on Reasonable Accommodations can be directed to Central Management Services Disability Resource Center at CMS.DisabilityResCen@illinois.gov or call (217) 524-7514 for further information and to request or discuss an accommodation.

Sponsorship for Employment

The State of Illinois does not provide sponsorship for employment visa status (e.g. H-1B visa status), nor is the State able to provide extensions of optional practical training (OPT) under the STEM-designated degree program for F-1 students.  To be considered for permanent employment with the State of Illinois, applicants must be currently authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis.

Disclosure of Salary Information

In compliance with the Illinois Equal Pay Act, 820 ILCS 112/1 et seq., the State does not seek, request, or require a job applicant’s wage or salary history.  Employment decisions are not made based on an applicant’s wage or salary history.  To that end, please do not include wage or salary information in your resume or other profile or application materials.

Date:  Jun 4, 2026
Location: 

Springfield, IL, US, 62701

Job Requisition ID:  56668

Job Requisition ID: 56668
Opening Date: 06/04/2026
Closing Date: 07/05/2026
Agency: Illinois Board of Higher Education

Salary: Annual starting salary commensurate with experience, within the range of $120,000 - max $147,500
Job Type: Salaried
Category: Full Time 
County: Sangamon; Adams; Alexander; Bond; Boone; Brown; Bureau; Calhoun; Carroll; Cass; Champaign; Christian; Clark; Clay; Clinton; Coles; Cook; Crawford; Cumberland; DeKalb; DeWitt; Douglas; DuPage; Edgar; Edwards; Effingham; Fayette; Ford; Franklin; Fulton; Gallatin; Greene; Grundy; Hamilton; Hancock; Hardin; Henderson; Henry; Iroquois; Jackson; Jasper; Jefferson; Jersey; Jo Daviess; Johnson ; Kane; Kankakee; Kendall; Knox; LaSalle; Lake; Lawrence; Lee; Livingston; Logan; Macon; Macoupin; Madison; Marion; Marshall; Mason; Massac; McDonough; McHenry; McLean; Menard; Mercer; Monroe; Montgomery; Morgan; Moultrie; Ogle; Other; Peoria; Perry; Piatt; Pike; Pope; Pulaski; Putnam; Randolph; Richland; Rock Island; Saline; Schuyler; Scott; Shelby; St. Clair; Stark; Stephenson; Tazewell; Union; Vermilion; Wabash; Warren; Washington; Wayne; White; Whiteside; Will; Williamson; Winnebago; Woodford
Number of Vacancies: 1
Bargaining Unit Code: None
Merit Comp Code: Agency Excluded from Collective Bargaining Coverage

 

A resume is required.  Please attach a DETAILED Resume/Curriculum Vitae (CV) to the MY DOCUMENTS section of your application.

 

About the Illinois Board of Higher Education (IBHE)

IBHE has been supporting higher education in Illinois for more than 50 years. We are a dedicated team of professionals, overseen by a Board appointed by the Governor, who are working for a strong, equitable higher education system, which we believe is essential for the state to thrive. We work with leaders in colleges, universities, state and federal government agencies, governors, legislators, and other entities to strategically further this mission.

In its strategic plan, A Thriving Illinois: Higher Education Paths to Equity, Sustainability, and Growth, IBHE has identified three goals and 25 strategies to help achieve its vision of a higher education ecosystem that ensures individuals, families, and communities across the state thrive.

  • Equity - Close equity gaps for students who have been left behind.
  • Sustainability - Build a stronger financial future for individuals and institutions.
  • Growth - Increase talent and innovation that drives economic growth.

 

About the position:

As a member of the IBHE extended leadership team, the Director of Information Technology & Systems provides senior-level oversight of assigned unit(s), leads and directs the information technology units including but not limited to network systems, cybersecurity, online applications, database development, website, software and hardware management, and all other information technology systems and support to ensure smooth agency operations for the Illinois Board of Higher Education and supportive and productive relationships with institutional partners and other stakeholders; supports strategic planning and policy development; sets and executes on a comprehensive technology strategy and vision that supports the agency’s mission; serves as a trusted advisor to Executive Director and other Agency Executive Staff on matters of Information Technology & Systems; oversees execution; accountable for overall results and sustainable operation of defined unit(s)

 

IBHE offers the State's competitve benefits package

Major Duties and Responsibilities

  • Provides direct oversight and management of the Information Technology Unit including Agency network systems, cybersecurity, database development, online applications, websites, and all other information technology systems, providing support to ensure smooth agency operation; Sets direction, provides direct oversight and oversees execution of assigned unit(s);contributes to agency annual planning, goal setting, budget development, priority development, and Board presentation and reporting (as required); contributes to a collaborative agency culture
  • Assists in implementing the Agency’s strategic plan for higher education, including ensuring the agency has the technology tools to assess achievement of the plan's goals and objectives
  • Analyzes and reports on complex issues relating to information systems and technology in a higher education policy context
  • Plans, directs, and manages the assigned unit(s) to ensure the development and implementation of cost-effective systems and efficient operations to meet current and future decision-making requirements
  • Leads and Directs both Systems and Data administration areas within the department including all software / hardware within those areas (i.e. networking hardware and software (wired and wireless), networked connections ((intra and inter)net), both on-site and off-site servers (Windows Server and Linux Server OS'), Data stores (databases, data warehouse, file system, etc...))
  • Responsible for the compliance and governance of appropriate industry standards to meet / exceed audit requirements – ensuring effective and secure policies, procedures, and support practices; keeps abreast of current and advancing trends
  • Leads and Directs unit staff efforts to effectively utilize technology to increase the visibility and impact of agency work to stakeholders (e.g., web site design, use of social media, dissemination of reports and analyses)
  • Responsible for supporting other unit technology needs, and managing systems and processes in those efforts
  • Leads the development of public-facing and internal data assets that include IBHE information
  • Serves as a liaison to other state agencies, including the Department of Innovation and Technology (DoIT) and Governor’s Office on various information technology and system priorities as they emerge
  • Supervises and mentors assigned staff; provides leadership for hiring, onboarding, and professional development ensuring their success
  • Other duties as assigned, reasonably within scope of position

Education and Experience

Required

  • Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited college/university in Information Technology, Management Information Systems, Computer Science, or related field
  • Formal education and/or experience in the field of information technology and systems
  • Minimum of 7 years of progressively responsible professional, related experience with at least 5 years of experience managing professional staff
  • 7+ years experience using one or more common query/reporting tools (SSMS, SQL development, TOAD, Cognos, SSRS, Crystal Reports, exporting to MS Excel)
  • 5+ years experience managing Microsoft systems, platforms and products
  • 1+ years experience managing Linux, or other Xinux systems interfacing with Microsoft systems
  • 1+ years experience managing to appropriate industry standards (ISO standards ISO/IEC 27001, NIST 800-53, COBIT 5)
  • Experience building and maintaining a service-oriented culture
  • Experience analyzing programs and developing and implementing an effective course of action
  • Experience estimating and budgeting for future needs and costs of personnel, equipment, supplies and services
  • Experience leading complex changes in a public-facing environment
  • Experience developing, implementing, and interpreting departmental policies and procedures


Preferred:

  • Additional certifications in IT management, project management or computer information systems

Skills and Traits

  • Commitment to public service and passion for education 
  • Excellent interpersonal skills, with a strong focus on collaboration and teamwork with the ability to build and maintain positive working relationships
  • Commitment to confidentiality
  • Demonstrated ability to work with a variety of constituents and stakeholders, such as Board members, senior government executives, elected officials, institutional officers and leaders, and private sector leaders. 
  • Excellent problem-solving and written and verbal communication skills 
  • Strong project-management skills, excellent follow-through, and ability to organize and prioritize 
  • Sound judgement and discretion 

Organizational Chart

Position reports to the Chief Operating Officer/General Counsel 

Position has the following direct reports:  

  • IT Systems Manager
  • Enterprise Systems Manager
  • Database Administrator

​Work Hours: 8:00am - 4:30pm Mon-Fri

Headquarter Location: 1 N Old State Capitol Plz, Springfield, Illinois, 62701**IBHE offers remote and hybrid work arrangements, based on position and supervisor discretion. IL Residency is required. Travel within Illinois is expected, as required by the work.
Agency Contact:
IBHE Human Resources
Email:
HumanResources@ibhe.org
Phone #:
217-782-2551
Posting Group:
Leadership & Management; Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics

 

The main form of communication will be through email. Please check your “junk mail”, “spam”, or “other” folder for communication(s) regarding any submitted application(s). You may receive emails from the following addresses:

  • donotreply@SIL-P1.ns2cloud.com
  • systems@SIL-P1.ns2cloud.com


Nearest Major Market: Springfield