Massachusetts College of Art and Design

Chief Information & Technology Officer

Academic Career & Executive Search is pleased to assist Massachusetts College of Art and Design (MassArt) in its search for Chief Information & Technology Officer (CITO).

For full consideration, please apply by January 12, 2026.

MassArt, a recognized leader and the nation’s only independent public college of art and design seeks a visionary Chief Information & Technology Officer (CITO) to lead its next era of innovation. This role offers an extraordinary platform to shape the College’s culture, strategy, and technology enterprise, positioning MassArt at the intersection of art, design, and digital transformation. As a trusted advisor to the President, the CITO will direct the next Technology Master Plan, implement forward-thinking systems and align technology strategy with the College’s academic and operational goals. This is a rare leadership opportunity to build and inspire a high-performing IT team, drive innovation across academic and administrative systems, and ensure MassArt remains ahead of the curve in creative technology solutions.

MassArt is advancing bold institutional initiatives and deepening the integration of data, AI, and digital creativity in the student experience. Implementation of a refreshed Strategic Partnership Plan is underway with a sharpened focus on partnership goals to foster transformative teaching, innovative learning environments, and a thriving creative campus. Its new partnership with CalArts, launching a fully online “Creative AI: Responsible Innovation with Generative Tools Certificate,” exemplifies MassArt’s commitment to exploring the creative potential of emerging technologies and expanding access to cutting-edge digital learning.

In this context, the CITO will serve as a key strategic partner, translating complex technical information into clear, actionable insights for leadership and campus stakeholders. With a focus on innovation, security, and strategy, the CITO will anticipate emerging trends in cybersecurity, academic technology, and enterprise systems while maintaining a robust, resilient IT infrastructure. Collaborating seamlessly across campus with faculty, staff, and students, the CITO will ensure technology enhances MassArt’s creative and academic mission. Operating in a well-resourced environment, the CITO will leverage recently upgraded infrastructure, a cloud-based LMS (Canvas), strong cybersecurity support and a robust enterprise system to implement transformative solutions that advance the College’s goals.

The Chief Information and Technology Officer is a key senior leadership position and member of the President’s Cabinet.  The CITO will report to the President through the Vice President of Strategic Engagement and Chief of Staff.  The department includes Tech Central, the primary hub for technology services, which offers equipment rentals, technical support, and access to computer and print labs. It also oversees IT infrastructure, software procurement, and digital media resources, supporting students, faculty, and staff across campus. With a commitment to innovation and service, the team collaborates closely with academic and administrative units to deliver reliable, forward-thinking technology solutions.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Provide leadership to all aspects of technological integration into the college’s administrative and academic systems and services
• Provide strategic leadership and day-to-day supervision for a team, fostering a collaborative environment while guiding professional development, setting clear expectations, and ensuring accountability to achieve departmental goals
• Ensure that technology investments support institutional strategic plan and priorities
• Advise and support technology as it relates to curriculum development, teaching and learning, and classroom facilities for both students and faculty
• Manage and develop technology resources in consideration of institutional planning and design
• Advise on technological investments, policy development, and resource allocation
• Manage all operations in the Ellucian Colleague administrative student information system, as well as its integrated systems, LDAP, LMS (Canvas) security, admission, and advancement
• Ensure data integrity, security, privacy, and workflow among the college’s integrated systems
• Ensure development, delivery, and high-standard support of the college’s academic technology needs and CMS integration
• Partner with academic and administrative teams to enhance the delivery of advanced analytics and business intelligence solutions that empower MassArt with accessible data and support informed, data-driven decision making
• Ensuring alignment of technology policies and practices with institutional goals and compliance standards
• Oversee budgets and planning, representing technology concerns
• Refine the college-wide technology strategy to be responsive to the needs of the college community and enhance processes and services
• Represent the college in collaborative activities, including the COF consortium, the state college/university system, and other alliances
• Advise and implement proactive best practices, integrated systems, and other initiatives as appropriate
• Manage communication across Technology departments, constituents, and stakeholders
• Drive and develop partnerships and collaboration with staff, faculty, and students to best serve the college’s technological needs
• MassArt is committed to maintaining safe learning, living, and work environments. Ensure that all actions and decisions are falling with the scope of Massachusetts State Universities' Equal Opportunity, Nondiscrimination, and Title IX Plan. 

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Master’s degree or Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, or a related field and 7 years of experience in technical management in a higher education or similar environment directly related to the duties and responsibilities of the position including significant technical knowledge of networking, systems, applications, security, business continuity, and disaster recovery
• A minimum of five years’ experience with management and budget responsibilities in an IT-related field
• Demonstrated understanding of the spectrum of technology activities, including infrastructure, academic computing, administrative systems, and crisis prevention management
• Experience managing/implementing an enterprise resources planning system
• Excellent interpersonal skills and experience managing a diverse team
• Excellent oral and written communication skills

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Advanced degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, or a related field
• IT management experience in a higher education setting
• Experience working in a unionized public college
• Experience working in a creative, fine arts, and/or design environment
• Experience working with Ellucian Colleague

About the Institution  

Founded in 1873, Massachusetts College of Art and Design (MassArt), is the nation's first and only independent, free-standing public college of art and design. MassArt is an inclusive community of thinkers, doers, makers, educators, innovators, and leaders striving to shape the future through art and design. They've spent 150 years demonstrating the truly amazing things that happen when a world-class art and design education is an option for every deserving student. Located in Boston's hub of arts and culture along the Avenue of the Arts, MassArt enrolls 1,900+ students and offers a comprehensive range of undergraduate and graduate degrees in 18 disciplines, as well as continuing education and youth programs.   

MassArt prepares artists, designers, and educators from diverse backgrounds to shape communities, economies, and cultures for the common good. MassArt provides state-of-the art facilities and studios housed in nine buildings along Huntington Avenue in the Fenway neighborhood of Boston, close to the Museum of Fine Arts and the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum. The college offers twenty-two areas of concentration in fine arts, design and art education, and awards one undergraduate degree, the Bachelor of Fine Arts, and graduate degrees including the Master of Fine Arts, the Master of Art in Teaching, Master of Education, Master of Design Innovation, and the Master of Architecture. The college also offers certificate programs in Communication Design, Fashion Design, Furniture Design, and Interior Design.

The College is NECHE (New England Commission of Higher Education) accredited and a member of AICAD (Association of Independent College of Art and Design), as well as the Colleges of Fenway, a collaboration of five neighboring Boston-based colleges in the Fenway area representing more than 12,000 undergraduate students and the ProArts Consortium (six institutions of higher education dedicated to the visual and performing arts).

Living in the Area 

With a population of nearly 700,000, Boston often feels like a small town with the perks of city life. It is a cosmopolitan city offering cultural diversity, a rich culinary and arts scene, and proximity to world-class schools, employers and health care. It is on the cutting edge of medicine and technology but traditional in its love of sports and the city’s deep history. With a modern, attractive, and completely walkable downtown, Boston is dotted with Revolutionary period historic sites along the Freedom Trail and preserved old streetscapes mixed in with modern commercial office buildings. The scenic Charles River offers endless opportunities for outdoor activities.

Arts and culture amenities in downtown Boston and the entire surrounding area are exceptional, and most, like the Boston Pops and the Museum of Fine Arts, are well known beyond the city limits.

The surrounding suburbs offer an excellent alternative to city living with access to a well-used commuter rail system. Each neighborhood has its own town center that is functional, accessible by the rail system, and filled with local businesses.

Education, at all levels, is outstanding in Boston and the surrounding areas. Public schools are nationally recognized and are a driver for people moving to the area. Additionally, the entire Boston Metro area is centrally located near everything Massachusetts and the Northeast has to offer – skiing in New Hampshire, beaches in Cape Cod, and trips to New York City are all only 2 to 3 hours away.

Why work at MassArt

Massachusetts College of Art and Design offers a dynamic, inclusive, and creative work environment with a comprehensive benefits package, including:

• Health Insurance: Medical insurance along with life insurance, and long-term disability through the Commonwealth’s Group Insurance Commission (GIC). MetLife Dental and vision coverage is also offered through MetLife
• Retirement Plans: Participation in the Massachusetts State Employees’ Retirement System and additional optional savings plans including 403b and 457b plans
• Flexible Spending Accounts: Healthcare spending account as well as a dependent care assistance program. Both are pre-tax annual use or lose programs
• Employee Assistance Program: AllOne Health is our EAP provider offering a variety of free confidential assistance to all our employees
• Generous Paid Leave: Vacation, sick, and personal
• Other Leaves: FMLA, PFML, and other state or federal programs
• Commuter Transit and Parking Benefits: Qualified transportation program allows use of pre-tax dollars to purchase passes, a monthly subsidy for non-drivers, and access to Longwood Medical Area shuttles
• Professional Development: Access to training, workshops, and creative resources
• Campus Perks: Free admission to the MassArt Art Museum (MAAM), cultural events, and employee discounts at local museums
• Work-Life Balance: Wellness programs and flexible scheduling options (where applicable)
• Collaborative Culture: Join a mission-driven community committed to equity, innovation, and the arts

To Apply 

For full consideration, please apply by January 12, 2026.

To be viewed by the search firm, you must apply directly at: https://acesrch.applicantstack.com/x/detail/a21esjylgpa0

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 MassArtCITO@acesrch.com.

Nominations and referrals: Please send the nominee’s name, title, and contact information if available to nominations@acesrch.com.

Salary range for this position: $180,000-$195,000

Institutional Information

MassArt provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, age, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, disability, military status, genetic information, pregnancy or a pregnancy-related condition, or membership in any other legally protected class. MassArt complies with all applicable federal, state, and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment in every location in which the college operates. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment.