Vice President of Information Services

North Dakota State University Foundation

Fargo, ND

About NDSU Foundation

The NDSU Foundation is the nonprofit fundraising and alumni organization of North Dakota State University. Its team raises gifts, manages the endowment, runs alumni programs, and supports the campus through scholarships, named faculty positions, research, and facilities. The endowment passed $600 million in 2026 and is made up of more than 1,600 individual funds.

The Foundation's roots go back to the NDAC Alumni Association, founded in 1901. The development foundation and the alumni association now operate as one organization under the NDSU Foundation name. Foundation President and CEO John Glover leads the staff, while the Trustees and an Executive Governing Board oversee the Foundation's business affairs. Much of what the Foundation produces depends on relationships with donors and alumni that lasts for decades, which means the information behind those relationships has to be accurate, secure, and reliable.

About the Opportunity

The NDSU Foundation is seeking a Vice President of Information Services to lead its technology and data work. The Vice President sits on the senior leadership team, reports to the Senior Vice President of Finance and Operations/CFO, and has five direct reports across technical services, data services, prospect research, and Salesforce administration.

The role owns the Foundation's technology environment: infrastructure, applications, information security, data governance, and records management. A large share of that work supports fundraising and the donor lifecycle from prospect research, data services, and the Salesforce CRM.

The Vice President sets the Foundation's direction on digital tools and AI, carries the long-term technology roadmap, the budget, vendor management, and technology risk. The Vice President also represents the Foundation on NDSU's Information Security Committee and aligns its records practices with NDSU and NDUS standards. The Foundation's 2025-2027 Strategic Plan includes a goal to invest in its people, programs, technology, and infrastructure to support and accelerate its business strategies.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES TO ACHIEVE SUCCESS

The Key Accountabilities for the position include but are not limited to the following:

Leadership & Supervision

Lead the Information Services department as a member of the senior leadership team, and develop staff through regular coaching and training. Set the strategy and budget for information services, advise senior leadership on technology costs, risks, and recommended improvements.

Technology Services

Oversee the Foundation's software, hardware, network, and website including backup and disaster recovery plans. Review current systems and vendors for efficiency, value, security, and usability, and train staff to use any new platforms.

Data Governance & Data Management Oversight

Design and manage the Foundation's data infrastructure and the policies that keep donor and alumni information accurate and confidential. Oversee data services, prospect research, and Salesforce CRM administration so the fundraising team can trust its data and monitor donor relationships.

Information Resource Security & Data Privacy

Protect the Foundation's systems and data through access controls and compliance with data privacy laws and payment card industry standards. Lead the internal Security Committee and ongoing staff security training and represent the Foundation on NDSU's Information Security Committee.

Records Retention & Document Management

Direct the Foundation's records retention program to meet NDSU and NDUS standards and oversee the Executive Manager's work on it. Manage the document management platform, lead the Records Information and Organization Committee, and work with NDSU on retention policies.

REQUIREMENTS OF THE POSITION

Education & Experience:

Bachelor's degree in information systems, computer science, data management, cybersecurity, business, or a related field, or equivalent education and experience
Seven or more years of progressively responsible experience in technology, data, information systems, or a related field, including senior leadership and management
Experience leading enterprise technology planning, application or infrastructure operations, data governance or data management, information security and privacy, and significant technology-enabled change
Experience managing budgets, projects, contracts, vendors, and technology investments
Foundation or nonprofit experience preferred

Skills & Knowledge:

Strong prioritization skills
Builds and maintains positive working relationships
Identifies and solves problems to improve organizational effectiveness
Makes decisive, well-informed decisions
Excellent written and verbal communication and listening skills
Works independently and works effectively with othersA strategic leader who is also hands-on
Proficiency in Microsoft Office and the Microsoft cloud platform, and knowledge of Salesforce

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS

Competitive salary based on experience and qualifications
Health, Dental, and Vision Insurance
401(a) and optional 403(b) Plans
Dependent Care and Medical Flex Accounts
Paid Time Off (PTO) and Paid Holidays
Life and Short-Term Disability Insurance
Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
Professional Development Opportunities
Additional voluntary benefits available

THE SEARCH

Sagency, an executive search and leadership consulting firm, has been retained in the search for this Vice President of Information Services position.

Sagency consultants will review and evaluate all interested parties to help the hiring team review a final group for consideration.

The search will be conducted in a professional manner and all potential candidates will be given consideration. Candidate conversations and information will be handled with great discretion and confidentiality. Sagency and NDSU Foundation are equal-opportunity employers.

If after reading this Opportunity Profile, you feel that your experience, skills, and passion are a good match for the organization and this role, we would like to engage with you. Please read below for the first part of the application and selection process.

The initial steps of the application and selection process:

Step 1: Interested candidates complete the online application.

● Upload your resume.

● The online application will be posted until the position is filled.

Step 2: A Sagency Executive Search Consultant may schedule an initial phone call with qualified applicants.

Step 3: A Sagency Executive Search Consultant will schedule a 60-minute interview with select candidates.

Step 4: If you are selected and choose to move on to interviews with our client, you will be asked to complete an online assessment.

Step 5: First-round interviews with the client.

NDSU Foundation

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Vice President of Information Services