Central New Mexico Community College Chief Information Officer (CIO)

Academic Career & Executive Search is pleased to assist Central New Mexico Community College in its search for Chief Information Officer.

For full consideration please apply by March 2 2026.

Central New Mexico Community College (CNM) is at a strategic inflection point. As New Mexicos largest community college CNM is advancing a bold strategic vision centered on student success workforce relevance equity and long-term financial sustainability. Achieving this vision requires enterprise transformation not incremental optimization and technology is a central lever in that work.

CNM has demonstrated and will continue to demonstrate a commitment to investing in innovation and modernization with a clear expectation that technology investments produce measurable results and sustainable value. This role is designed for an experienced CIO with strong business acumen who is ready to lead at scale shape enterprise direction and leave a lasting institutional legacy.

Reporting directly to the President the CIO serves as a trusted advisor to the President and Executive Cabinet and engages with the Governing Board on technology strategy digital risk and institutional readiness. As a cabinet-level executive the CIO is empowered to modernize enterprise platforms strengthen digital foundations and deliver measurable improvements in institutional performance shaping CNMs future and leaving a lasting institutional legacy.

The CIO is a collaborative strategic partner who balances innovative transformation with operational stability across all mission-critical systems. This role carries clear decision rights and institutional backing to:

• Establish enterprise technology standards and architectural direction.
• Lead prioritization of major technology investments in alignment with institutional strategy.
• Oversee cybersecurity posture digital risk management and institutional resilience.
• Direct vendor sourcing and shared services strategies.

The CIO will provide executive oversight for an established Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) and a highly capable IT leadership team setting enterprise direction and ensuring alignment across cybersecurity digital platforms and institutional priorities.

Serving nearly 30000 learners annually CNMs mission is deeply rooted in access completion and economic mobility positioning the College as a critical driver of the regions educational and workforce success. The ideal CIO will be committed to this mission and ready to lead enterprise change at scale.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
Executive & Enterprise Leadership

• Serve as CNMs senior executive leader for technology-enabled transformation.
• Translate institutional strategy into a clear outcome-driven enterprise IT and digital roadmap.
• Act as a strategic partner to the President and Cabinet on modernization cybersecurity risk and innovation investments.
• Lead CNMs progression toward higher IT maturity moving from reactive service delivery to proactive value-driven enablement.

Enterprise IT Operations

• Ensure reliable secure and resilient delivery of core IT services including infrastructure networks enterprise applications cloud platforms and end-user services.
• Provide executive oversight and strategic alignment for the CISO function ensuring effective cybersecurity identity and access management regulatory compliance and risk mitigation.
• Develop and maximize operational benefits of CNMs participation in the New Mexico Collaborative for Higher Education Shared Services (CHESS) particularly in enterprise shared services cybersecurity and enterprise applications.
• Establish service management disciplines and performance metrics that ensure accountability and transparency.

Digital Growth & Institutional Enablement

• Partner with academic and administrative leaders to modernize instructional student-facing and business processes through technology.
• Collaborate with the Chief Data Officer (CDO) to align enterprise platforms and integration capabilities with data strategy analytics priorities and institutional research needs.
• Enable the staging integration and deployment of data across enterprise systems to support strategic use cases while respecting governance privacy and security requirements.
• Advance enterprise platforms (ERP CRM SIS and integration and analytics infrastructure) to improve interoperability scalability and user experience.
• Support shared services and collaborative delivery models that improve efficiency resilience and return on investment.

Innovation & Future Readiness

• Identify evaluate and selectively pilot emerging technologies (e.g. AI automation advanced analytics digital learning tools) aligned with CNMs strategic priorities.
• Foster responsible experimentation with clear pathways from pilot to scale.
• Balance innovation with governance risk management and institutional capacity to ensure sustainability.
• Embed digital capability as part of CNMs long-term operating model not as isolated initiatives.

Data Enablement as a Strategic Asset

• Champion data as a foundational institutional asset that supports strategy performance management and student success.
• Partner closely with the Chief Data Officer (CDO) to ensure alignment between data governance analytics and enabling technologies.
• Ensure that data platforms integration architectures and cloud environments support reliable timely secure and ethical access to data.
• Coordinate technology deployment timelines with the institutions readiness to use data for decision-making accountability and continuous improvement.

Financial Talent & Resource Stewardship

• Lead IT financial planning budgeting and investment governance with a focus on value realization and ROI.
• Partner with the President and Cabinet to align technology investments with institutional priorities.
• Build and sustain a high-performing IT organization with modern skills clear accountability and service orientation.
• Redesign workforce and service delivery models as needed to support transformation scalability and sustainability.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelors degree in Information Systems Computer Science Business or a related field.
• Seven (7) or more years of senior executive leadership experience in enterprise IT digital transformation or technology-enabled operations.
• Demonstrated success leading large-scale modernization or transformation initiatives.
• Experience overseeing cybersecurity enterprise platforms budgets and vendor ecosystems.
• Proven ability to partner with presidents/CEOs boards and executive teams.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Masters degree in a relevant field (e.g. Information Systems Business Administration Data Analytics).
• Experience in complex mission-driven organizations higher education or public sector.
• Experience operating within shared services or consortium-based environments.

About Central New Mexico Community College

Founded in 1964 as Albuquerque Technical Vocational Institute a locally supported vocational school the College was accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools (now the Higher Learning Commission) in 1978. Degree-granting power was approved by the New Mexico Legislature in 1986 signaling the Colleges transformation into a comprehensive community 2006 the institution changed its name to Central New Mexico Community College (CNM) to better reflect the breadth of offerings and the service area. CNM currently offers Associate of Arts Associate of Science and Associate of Applied Science degrees as well as many certificate programs and non-credit certifications and licensures. Over the last decade CNM has consistently enrolled the largest undergraduate student body in the state.

In U.S. Department of Education statistics CNM consistently ranks among the top five two-year colleges nationwide for the number of associate degrees and certificates awarded to both Hispanics and Native Americans. CNM also consistently ranks among the top 10 for total associate degrees and certificates awarded to all students. As the institution with the largest undergraduate student body in New Mexico CNM provides affordable education to over 30000 learners and offers rewarding career opportunities to over 2000 faculty and staff. For the last decade CNM has been recognized by the Aspen Institute as one of the countrys top 150-200 colleges eligible for the Community College of Excellence Award.

CNM has nine locations for easy student access across CNMs District including seven campuses. The campuses are in each quadrant of Albuquerque and one in nearby Rio Rancho. The campuses include Main Campus near downtown Albuquerque and the University of New Mexico; the Joseph M. Montoya Campus in the Northeast Heights; the Westside Campus; the South Valley Campus; and the Rio Rancho Campus. The College also offers programs and services at the Advanced Technology Center and Workforce Training Center in north Albuquerque and the STEMulus Center and FUSE Makerspace in downtown Albuquerque. Each of the locations has had recent upgrades to facilities technology and signage.

CNM is deeply rooted in the community emphasizing service learning and projects that connect students to local opportunities. The college also provides robust student support services such as tutoring advising and counseling ensuring students have the resources to succeed. Modern facilities equipped with state-of-the-art labs and study spaces enhance the learning experience.

Learn more about CNMs Strategic Plan including mission vision culture statement goals and objectives.

Living in the Area

Living in Albuquerque New Mexico offers a unique blend of culture natural beauty and modern amenities making it an appealing place to call home. The city boasts a rich cultural heritage deeply rooted in Native American Hispanic and Western traditions which is reflected in its vibrant art scene historic landmarks and annual events like the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta. With over 300 days of sunshine a year low humidity short commute times and a relaxed pace Albuquerque is easy to live in and offers an endless mix of culture lively entertainment dining and shopping.

Albuquerque is a haven for outdoor enthusiasts surrounded by stunning landscapes like the Sandia Mountains and the Rio Grande offering year-round opportunities for hiking biking skiing and hot air ballooning. The citys high desert climate ensures plenty of sunshine making it ideal for those who love an active lifestyle. The central location also provides easy access to other attractions such as Santa Fe and the national parks.

The city is home to a strong job market with opportunities in sectors like healthcare education technology and renewable energy. Adding to that are a favorable tax climate the states strong fiscal health and a cost of living below national average. The area offers affordable housing options and access to diverse dining and entertainment. With its unique blend of culture affordability outdoor adventures and career opportunities Albuquerque provides an exceptional quality of life for individuals and families alike.

To Apply

For full consideration please apply by March 2 2026.

Please apply through the application link and do not email applications.

Applications will be reviewed as they are received and should include a cover letter and curriculum vita. Ideally cover letters should not exceed two pages. All applications are treated confidentially.

Inquiries referrals and nominations are also treated confidentially.

Inquiries and questions: Please send to .
Nominations and referrals: Please send the nominees name title and contact information if available to .

Institutional Information
As an EEO employer Central New Mexico Community College will not discriminate in our employment practices based on an applicants race ethnicity color religion sex sexual orientation gender identity national origin age disability serious medical condition or status as a protected veteran or spousal affiliation. Central New Mexico Community College hires only U.S. citizens and individuals lawfully authorized to work in the U.S.