JOB DESCRIPTION AMERICAN UNIVERSITY OF BEIRUT VICE PRESIDENT FOR INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY/CIO TITLE: VICE PRESIDENT FOR INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY/CIO REPORTS TO: PRESIDENT OF AUB LOCATION: BEIRUT, LEBANON BACKGROUND: American University of Beirut: The American University of Beirut (AUB) over the course of its distinguished history, has established an international reputation as one of the leading centers for interdisciplinary teaching and research in the Middle East. AUB was founded in 1866, and has grown to be a private, not-for-profit, coeducational, independent, and non-sectarian institution of higher learning under a charter from the State of New York, providing excellence in education, participating in the advancement of knowledge through research, and serving the peoples of the Middle East and beyond. AUB bases its educational philosophy, standards, and practices on the American liberal arts model of higher education, and has been accredited as an institution since 2004 by the Commission on Higher Education of the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools. Its degrees are also recognized by the Lebanese government through the equivalence committees of the Ministry of Education and Higher Education. The University s professional schools have been actively working on their own accreditation with established US professional accreditation bodies. The Olayan School of Business has recently gained AACSB accreditation, and the Faculty of Health Sciences has recently become the first program outside of North America to gain accreditation by the Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH). The Faculty of Engineering and Architecture is working toward ABET accreditation. AUB has grown into a major university with over 7500 students including over 900 graduate students and 300 medical students who come to AUB from 68 countries. It has 546 full time and 262 part time instructional faculty members and nearly 3,000 staff members. It has awarded some 70,000 degrees. Located in the heart of Beirut, Lebanon on a majestic 73 acre campus overlooking the Mediterranean Sea, AUB offers more than 42 undergraduate academic programs, more than 84 focused graduate and research programs including 8 PhD programs and a Medical Center. In the area of Information Technology AUB offers its students the opportunity to participate in several undergraduate and Master s degree programs in Computer Science, Computer and Communications Engineering, Electrical and Computer Engineering, information and Communications Technology, and Computational Science. AUB also has advanced computing research centers such as the Center for Advanced Mathematical Sciences and the Intel Multiprocessor Lab within the Faculty of Engineering and Architecture. AUB s IT units include the Computing and Networking Services (CNS), Academic Computing Center (ACC), CNS Medical Center, as well as several IT units serving the various faculties. AUB is organized into 6 schools (faculties): Arts and Sciences, Medicine (including the School of Nursing), Engineering and Architecture, Agricultural and Food Sciences, Health Sciences, and the Suliman S.Olayan School of Business. English is the language of instruction in all programs except for coursework in the Department of Arabic and in foreign language courses. AUB has been co-educational since 1922, and its student body is 49% male and 51% female. 1
The majority of AUB s faculty members hold advanced degrees from leading institutions in the US, Europe, and the Middle East. AUB s faculty are committed to and involved in teaching and enabling student learning, advising and mentoring students in the achievement of career goals, sharing in academic policy and decision making, conducting and publishing quality research, participating in University governance, and serving the broader community. A significant number of AUB s faculty takes part in externally-funded research by private or public sources (from the region, Europe or the US) as well as in other scholarly activities that are strongly supported by AUB. AUB believes that good teaching and strong research go hand-in-hand, and that innovation in its programs and classrooms are constantly fueled and enriched by its faculty members who are actively engaged in research. AUB has 81 buildings that include in addition to its extensive classroom, laboratory and administrative facilities: 6 dormitories, the AUB Medical Center, the Charles W. Hostler Student Center, 4 libraries, computer labs, Archaeological Museum, Natural History Museum, and Lebanon's only geological collection. The University s libraries include the central Jafet Memorial Library and two branch libraries: the Engineering and Architecture Library and the Science and Agriculture Library with its annex AREC (Farm) Library. The Saab Memorial Medical Library (SML) is considered to be one of the best medical libraries in the Middle East. The libraries have a long history in Lebanon and in the region which is very much reflected in the rich collections that they own. The Faculty of Agricultural and Food Sciences' Agricultural Research and Education Center, a 247-acre research farm and educational facility, is located in the Bekaa Valley. Part of the strategic plan for AUB is its commitment to continuously improving the level of technology support for the University s plans and programs. AUB was one of the first universities in the Middle East to completely wire its facilities for Internet and LAN activity, and has recently added wireless capability to the campus. A growing number of the courses offered actively use these resources for instruction. AUB is committed to maintaining its stature as one of the premier institutions of learning in the Middle East by continuously investing in its infrastructure, faculty, and staff. At present the University is engaged in an $80MM building program that will thoroughly modernize the campus. Some of the buildings that have been recently completed or are currently at different stages of design and construction include: the CCC Scientific Research Building, the Charles Hostler Student Center, the Olayan School of Business, a new School of Nursing, the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, the Issam Fares Institute for Public Policy and International Affairs, and the Irani Oxy Engineering Complex. AUB recently completed its Campaign for Excellence, the most successful university fund raising campaign ever in the Middle East, generating over $170MM in contributions. The budget for fiscal year 2010 is approximately $230MM. American University of Beirut Medical Center (AUBMC) is the private, not-for-profit teaching center of the Faculty of Medicine. AUBMC, which is accredited by the Joint Commission International (JCIA) on hospital accreditation, includes a 420-bed hospital and offers comprehensive tertiary/quaternary medical care and referral services in a wide range of specialties and medical, nursing and paramedical training programs at the undergraduate and post-graduate levels. Since 1905, AUBMC s medical services have included a nursing school and in 2008, the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) invited AUBMC s Rafic Hariri School of Nursing to become a full member, making it the first member of the AACN outside the United States. The American Nurses Credentialing Center's (ANCC) Magnet Recognition Program awarded AUBMC its prestigious Magnet designation on June 23, 2009. Magnet recognized organizations are those that meet the global standard for professional nursing care and innovative health care reform, and that fully meet the needs of patients, families and communities. Only 5% of all US hospitals are Magnet recognized; and AUBMC is the first healthcare institution in the Middle East and the third in the world outside the United States to earn this award. 2
The mission of AUBMC is to maintain a leadership role in consistently providing excellent, accessible and comprehensive health services to the people of Lebanon and the region while continuing and enhancing its tradition as a distinguished academic and research medical center. AUBMC is active in fine-tuning its systems and services to continuously meet and exceed local and international standards of care, to excel in the services it provides, and to distinguish itself as a premier tertiary care center. The Debs Center, located in New York City, is the corporate and administrative headquarters of AUB in the United States and is a vital link between AUB s Beirut campus and the United States. It houses AUB s Executive, Development and Alumni Relations offices, and is also the site for meetings of the Board of Trustees and its committees. Its staff develops relationships with US foundations, corporations, and individual supporters of the University, maintains liaisons with governmental agencies, monitors the University s investment portfolios, and assists in the international recruiting of students and faculty. AUB is supported by an autonomous and actively engaged Board of Trustees comprised of 45 distinguished international leaders from the fields of business, education, diplomacy, engineering, philanthropy, science and medicine. AUB also maintains a distinguished International Advisory Council. The University believes deeply in and encourages freedom of thought and expression and seeks to foster tolerance and respect for diversity and dialogue. Its graduates are committed to creative and critical thinking, life-long learning, personal integrity and civic responsibility, and leadership. AUB s demonstrated ability to bring people of diverse backgrounds together sets an example of co-existence and harmony for the city of Beirut, the country of Lebanon, and for the Middle East. Its alumni are some of the most well known civic, business, academic and medical professionals in the region. Additional information on the American University of Beirut can be found at the University s website: www.aub.edu.lb. The Location: Beirut, Lebanon Beirut is the capital and largest city in Lebanon. Beirut is one of the most cosmopolitan cities in the Middle East offering its inhabitants and visitors a unique blend of Eastern and Western cultures, and because of its strategic location it has historically been regarded as the crossroads of the three continents of Asia, Africa, and Europe and the gateway to the East. It has been continuously inhabited since the 15 th Century BC. Located on the Mediterranean Sea, Beirut is Lebanon s main seaport, the seat of the Lebanese Parliament and government, and the center of its cultural, artistic, and financial life. 1.5 million of Lebanon s 3.7 million population make Beirut their home; and approximately 90% of the population of Lebanon is literate. Since the Lebanese Civil War ended in 1989, Beirut has been experiencing significant reconstruction and revitalization. The city often referred to as the Paris of the Middle East has been recently rated by The New York Times as its #1 travel destination for 2009 on its 44 Places to Go List, and by Lonely Planet as one of the top 10 liveliest cities in the world. AUB and AUBMC contribute significantly to the quality of life in Beirut. AUB is widely regarded as the regional university of choice in the Middle East, and its campus, which is gated and very safe, offers a green oasis within the heart of the city Beirut is a wonderful host city to AUB s students, faculty and staff. POSITION OBJECTIVES: The Vice President for Information Technology (VPIT) serves as the Chief Information Officer/Senior Officer responsible for directing the University s efforts in implementing priorities for Information Technology across the campus and the Medical Center. Reporting directly to the President of AUB, the VPIT will coordinate closely with the Provost s office, the VP for Finance, and 3
the VP for Medical Affairs (VPMA) to ensure that IT planning and strategies are consistent with AUB s efforts to provide secure, transparent and cutting-edge resources for AUB s faculty, students, research libraries, financial systems, admissions and financial aid offices and patient and medical records. As a Direct Report to the President of AUB, the VPIT serves as a member of the President s Cabinet and will be an advocate for the value of Information Technology solutions to the future success and growth of AUB and AUBMC. The VPIT will be responsible for the development and presentation of the cost/benefit analyses needed to gain the allocation of sufficient funds required for the deployment and support of these solutions. The VPIT will also be responsible for identifying and evaluating new and emerging Information Technology solutions and upgrading and/or replacing existing Information Technology solutions to continuously align IT with the changing needs of AUB/AUBMC. POSITION RESPONSIBILITIES: 1. To support on a university -wide and cost-effective basis all the IT facilities of AUB and AUBMC. Build consensus university-wide for a unified vision for IT. Establish and implement policies and procedures for evaluating and enhancing the Information Technology solutions being delivered as well as for evaluating the performance of the IT support units. Utilize KPIs (Key Performance Indicators) as a basis for measuring the success of the IT solutions and the IT support units. 2. As a member of the President s Cabinet act as an advocate for the value of Information Technology and the IT support units to the success of the vision for AUB/AUBMC. Partner with the members of the Cabinet to define the priorities for implementing new technology solutions or upgrading existing systems. Leverage expertise in systems implementation and vendor management to maximize the value of the Information Technology solutions utilized at AUB. 3. Act as the primary advisor to the President, the Provost, the VP for Finance, the VP for the Medical Center (VPMC), and the Board of Trustees on Information Technology solutions and needs. Provide the President with the cost/benefits analyses needed to support the strategic plan for expanding the IT programs and facilities at AUB and AUBMC. 4. Work closely with the Provost to develop a deeper understanding of academic functions in order to leverage IT solutions to better meet the academic needs and expectations of the University. 5. Establish an effective and transparent IT governance structure that ensures that IT decisions and services are endorsed campus-wide. 6. Key Deliverables: a. Assessment - perform a comprehensive assessment of the current state of Information Technology at AUB. Develop in partnership with the IT staff, IT faculty leaders, and IT stakeholders a creative and unified vision for IT and the IT support units; create and execute against a roadmap with defined milestones for the delivery of enhanced Information Technology solutions and service levels. b. Automation and Innovation improve administrative efficiency by increasing the usage of automation to support administrative and business processes campus-wide. Expand the usage of course management systems. Introduce multi-media applications that will improve learning, skill development, research, and the quality of medical care. c. Effective University-wide ERP System review, evaluate, and make whatever changes are deemed necessary to the current technology supporting the Purchase-to-Pay cycle for the University and the Medical Center. On an on-going basis ensure that the functionality of the ERP system will continue to meet the evolving needs of AUB/AUBMC and the Debs Center. 4
d. Financial Systems - ensure that the proper IT solutions are in place enabling the faculty and staff at AUB, AUBMC, and the Debs Center to perform the necessary financial reporting and auditing to ensure that AUB s finances are optimally managed and accounted for. e. Academic Computing seek out and utilize input from the Provost, Deans, faculty, and staff to facilitate the establishment of priorities for academic computing and related applications including the use of technology for teaching and research. f. Protection and Storage of the University s IT Assets - develop and implement policies and procedures to ensure the protection of the University s IT assets and the integrity, security and privacy of the information entrusted to the University. Develop a strategic plan and delivery roadmap for digitizing and storing the University s archival records. g. Data - promote collaboration and sharing of data across the University and the Medical Center. Establish standards and policies for data integrity, storage, access, and maintenance. Ensure that the data systems are capable of providing all student and patient data and statistics as required by Federal, State and local agencies. h. Libraries ensure that the Information Technology solutions supporting both the University and medical libraries stay current with the changing needs of the users and take advantage of advances in Information Technology. i. AUBMC- evaluate the technology being utilized at AUBMC in support of a better level of patient care. Develop and deploy a strategic plan and delivery roadmap for digitizing the medical records of AUBMC. Automate e-billing and physician s online billing. Automate purchasing and billing systems for medical supplies and general equipment. j. Budgets/Contracts develop and monitor the approved operating and capital budgets for Information Technology. Review all consulting services, HW/SW acquisition, and maintenance contracts. Manage all vendor relationships for the purchase, service and support of Information Technology systems and solutions. Monitor and ensure compliance with all service level agreements. k. Web Enhanced Learning provide technical support for web-enhanced courses, blended learning and online courses. l. Establish an IT executive council with representation from IT faculty, students, and staff that will counsel IT leadership on issues related to educational and research computing, telecommunications, academic software support and training, systems selection and implementation for internal consulting and administrative systems and other information technology, and will recommend policies, guidelines and practices for IT. 7. Provide strategic and technical planning, development, evaluation and integration of the Information Technology systems for the University and Medical Center operations. Oversee the infrastructure, desktop support, and back office computer operations of the University, the Medical Center, and the Debs Center including the local and wide area networks. Ensure that proper systems security and backup procedures are maintained. 8. Technical Support - provide the technical support needed as AUB continues to expand its facilities and course offerings so as to enable AUB to maintain its position as the preeminent university in the Middle East. 9. Training and Communication - provide the inspiration and training to encourage the faculty, staff and students to maximize the value of AUB s investment in Information Technology solutions. Encourage the development and maintenance of user documentation. Communicate and gain support for the strategic plan for IT, and the policies and procedures governing the usage of IT solutions. 10. Customer Satisfaction improve customer satisfaction by increasing the responsiveness of service and the value IT has on achieving AUB/AUBMC s strategic goals, and by communicating the ongoing status of projects, and optimizing the value of solutions delivered for money spent. 5
11. Ensure Availability of Sufficient Systems Capacity and Functionality - perform key project reviews to ensure the availability of sufficient systems capacity and functionality to meet application requirements, and that the applications being developed make efficient use of the available infrastructure. 12. Evaluate the Information Technology resources and identify gaps in staffing so that the appropriate new hires can be made. Manage and mentor the IT staff to improve staff morale and retention and to provide a higher level of customer service. 13. Innovation - propagate the use of innovative and cost effective technologies such as open source solutions. 14. Disaster Recovery develop and maintain a systems recovery and backup plan to respond in the event of power failure, damage to the system, etc. KEY PERFORMANCE INDICATORS: 1. Education the minimum degree required is a Master s Degree in Computer Science or Computer Engineering, MBA, or related equivalent experience. A PhD is highly desirable. 2. Background and Experience demonstrated understanding of the role of the VPIT and the IT support units in supporting institutional transformation. 10 years+ experience as a VP of IT, CIO, or senior manager of Information Technology with a track record of success in a higher education or health care environment desirable. Demonstrated deep understanding of academic environments and technologies for teaching and research. Demonstrated understanding and experience with campus and/or Medical Center IT issues and emerging technologies also desirable. 3. Technical Expertise - possess a deep and broad understanding of technology encompassing ERP systems, open source technologies, web development, data modeling, infrastructure, networks, information security, and new and emerging technologies. Experience deploying and supporting shared and outsourced solutions utilized in a multi-site client-server environment. Experience with operating systems such as Windows, UNIX, and Linux, as well as with solutions such as Oracle Financials, Banner, Kuali, and Moodle desirable. 4. IT Strategic Planning experience in defining and executing IT strategies with the goal of providing direction to key stakeholders, faculty, and staff as well as vendor/partners on the effective use of technology solutions to enable and accelerate the achievement of their short and long term strategic goals. 5. Service Delivery ability to continuously improve the quality of service being delivered. Demonstrated ability to prioritize and to delivery multiple projects on time, on budget, and within a complex multi-site environment. Ability to objectively assess the merits of Build vs. Buy for technology solutions. 6. Business Acumen ability to run technology in a business-like manner and to deliver projects on time and within budget. Possess the ability to prepare and present cost/benefits analyses to provide the necessary financial and business metrics to enable the key decision makers and stakeholders at AUB and AUBMC to make effective decisions regarding the technology supporting their initiatives or strategic vision. Possess an in-depth understanding of the key business issues impacting the university and health care industries. This knowledge can include but is not limited to: knowledge of strategic and operational planning, academic computing, health care economics, personnel administration, financial and cost analyses, trends in the health care industry, primary health care administrative theory and practice, third party billing and reimbursement activities in a managed care environment. 7. Outstanding Organizational and Project Management Skills - develop channels for information to flow University-wide and to the Medical Center allowing everyone to be kept aware of the status of projects and solutions. Possess the ability to set priorities for IT solutions and to position resources effectively. Demonstrate outstanding program and project management skills, and the ability to prioritize, structure, manage, and implement multiple projects through to a 6
successful conclusion. Possess the ability to put in place escalation processes and know how to effectively deal with response times. 8. Leadership and Motivational Skills possess the ability to inspire commitment and a positive attitude in your team. Proactively work with the IT support units to ensure that the technology solutions being delivered continuously meet the evolving needs of the University and the Medical Center. Possess the ability to identify, attract, develop, and retain the talent needed to successfully address the challenges faced by AUB in a highly competitive and challenging market. 9. Outstanding Communication, Influencing, and Presentation Skills demonstrated success in influencing key internal and external relationships to gain their support and to build consensus for the IT solutions proposed. Ability to assimilate well into the culture of AUB and AUBMC. Possess excellent, written, verbal, and interpersonal skills. 10. Flexibility ability to respond rapidly to change and to provide flexible and cost/time effective Information Technology solutions. 11. Budgetary Responsibility experience with effective management of budgets and resources. Ability to allocate and prioritize resources in a cost sensitive manner so as to deliver the best possible return on investment. Ability to provide oversight for all IT service, acquisition and maintenance contracts and service level agreements. 12. Intelligent Sourcing and Vendor Management experience in sourcing products and services from 3 rd parties. Demonstrated ability to select, negotiate with, and manage service providers and vendors to ensure they deliver on time and within budget the services and products specified in their contracts and service level agreements. 13. Cultural Fit previous experience working in an international setting. Experience in academic institutions with a similar setting to that of AUB. Familiarity or with the Middle East or Lebanese culture a plus. Ability to succeed in a collaborative and dynamic academic environment. Ability to relate well to all levels of the user community and to engender grass roots support. Possess a Can Do and positive approach to problem solving. 14. Language Skills English required; Arabic desirable. SELLING POINTS FOR THE POSITION: 1. Scope of the Position as the first ever VPIT for AUB/AUBMC this position will have the opportunity to reshape the delivery of technology solutions and the perception of the value of Information technology to the continued growth and success of AUB/AUBMC. 2. Ability to Set Strategic Direction and Implement Change the VPIT will be restructuring the service delivery model for AUB/AUBMC, a University and Medical Center that is an acknowledged leader in the academic and healthcare communities of the Middle East. The VPIT will have the support of the President and the President s Cabinet to create and implement a Technology Roadmap that will align with the comprehensive strategic plan for AUB. 3. Influence as a Direct Report to the President of AUB and a member of the President s Cabinet, the VPIT will influence the usage of Information Technology across the University and the Medical Center. Additionally, history has demonstrated that new and innovative Information Technology solutions adopted at AUB have then been replicated across Lebanon and in some cases across the Middle East. 4. Key Working Relationships the VPIT will establish close working relationships with the President, the Provost, the VPMC, the VP for Finance, the Deans, and other key stakeholders to leverage IT solutions to support AUB s ability to achieve its strategic plan and mission. 5. Visibility and Status this position is the most visible and key leadership position in Information Technology at AUB/AUBMC, and will be tasked with the delivery of technology 7
solutions that will support the strategic vision for the future growth and success of AUB and AUBMC. 6. Career Path the VPIT will be able to leverage success in this position to expand the Information Technology organization as AUB and AUBMC continues to grow and expand. 7. Compensation compensation for the position is competitive and includes a benefits package normally associated with overseas positions including housing and family travel. As part of this package a very attractive home is provided on campus where the President, Provost, and Deans also reside. Campus living affords a wonderful quality of life for the successful candidate for the position and his/her family. An additional attractive benefit included in the compensation package is that the VPIT s children s education will be provided on campus up through the undergraduate level. 8. Culture the CIO will operate within a dynamic and collegial culture with such positive core values as Teamwork, Caring, Integrity, and Commitment to Excellence. The CIO will be transforming the culture of the Information Technology support units to be more customercentric and service oriented. PROCEDURE FOR CANDIDACY: Inquiries, nominations and applications are invited. Candidates should send a resume, and a letter describing interest in the position to: jhomer@jbhomer.com. The names and contact information for 3 references should also be provided; candidates will be notified before references are contacted. Any material that cannot be emailed may be sent to: Judy Homer, Gina Schiller, or Jeff Hunt c/o JB Homer Associates, 708 Third Avenue, 22 nd Floor, New York, NY 10017. All information will be kept confidential. Confidential inquiries and questions concerning this position may be directed to the consultants at: 212-697-3300. The American University of Beirut is an Equal Opportunity Employer within the framework of Lebanese Law. J B Homer Associates has been retained by the client to conduct this search. All correspondence will remain confidential. We affirm the principles of equal opportunity in employment and will not discriminate against qualified candidates for any unlawful reason including race, religion, gender, national origin, age or disability. Voice: 212-697-3300 Fax: 212-986-5086 www.jbhomer.com 8