Job Details: Executive Director

Description: The Lonestar Education and Research Network (LEARN) has an outstanding career opportunity available for an experienced network executive.
LEARN: The Lonestar Education and Research Network (LEARN) has an outstanding career opportunity available for an experienced network executive. LEARN was formed in late 2003, and today is governed by 34 member organizations representing a broad spectrum of public and private higher education institutions and systems, health science centers, and other non-profit consortia in Texas. LEARN is a non-profit regional optical network providing advanced network services to the major centers of the State. Its growing network currently consists of over 3,000 route miles, most of which is fiber under long term IRU's. The Board of Directors is composed of representatives from all member institutions http://www.tx-learn.org/members_inst.cfm.

LEARN's central office is currently in Austin, the capital of Texas, with staff working remotely around the State. LEARN is a member of National Lambda Rail (NLR) and is an Internet2 connector. LEARN's current annual budget is approximately $3,000,000 and is financed from membership dues and fees for services.

Reporting to the Board of Directors, the Executive Director is the general manager and chief executive officer of the Lonestar Research and Education Network (LEARN.) The Executive Director represents LEARN in state and national academic networking venues and is responsible for advancing LEARN's interests in and influence within these venues. The Executive Director implements resolutions of the Board, and represents LEARN within the context of the policies and purposes established by the Board. The Executive Director keeps the Board informed of performance against approved goals, staff performance, and other key matters related to program objectives, and implements personnel policies adopted by the Board.

The Executive Director oversees, and provides effective leadership for the Association's activities, affairs, and staff, and is responsible for:

• Leading the overall day-to-day operations of the organization including the engineering and operations of the network, administration and finance, customer support and the supervision of the personnel employed by LEARN.
• Working collaboratively with the Board, advisory committees, and key constituencies to enhance LEARN's value to its customers and partners and ensure its continued viability.
• Drafting operational policies and making policy recommendations to the Board.
• Providing leadership in the development of business and project proposals and annual budgets.
• Sustaining positive and productive relationships with the State of Texas, other regional and national network organizations, and State and Federal agencies supporting network research and development.
• Coordinating strategic planning activities and the development of annual operating plans.
• Providing leadership for coordinating business development, including the promotion and marketing of LEARN, and LEARN projects.

The Executive Director currently supervises three technical and two administrative staff, and assists in the coordination of a number of additional volunteer technical staff.

KNOWLEDGE/SKILLS: The successful candidate will have demonstrated outstanding leadership in the management of information technology organizations that have strong network operations. Experience working with state and national government, professional organizations, and institutions of higher education is highly desirable. The Executive Director will have:

• An understanding of telecommunication technology trends.
• The ability to work in an association environment that requires an understanding of the sometimes conflicting needs of multiple constituencies (public and private universities, research universities, community colleges, and academic medical centers, state government and private companies, etc.), and successfully facilitating work of committees composed of volunteers.
• A proven record of leading and managing complex successful organizations and projects within budget.
• The ability to create an efficient, effective and sustainable organization that is responsive to the needs of its constituencies.
• A solid knowledge of the financial and technical issues related to the operation of wide area networks.
• Strong negotiation skills.
• Experience in overseeing contract personnel and direct reports.
• The skills to work effectively in both strategic and operational areas.
• Strong analytic capabilities.
• An understanding of the education, basic science, clinical, computer science, and research communities.
• The ability to effectively coordinate contract personnel and vendor relationships.
• Good entrepreneurial abilities.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.

QUALIFICATIONS: A Bachelors degree, advanced degree preferred. At least ten years experience in network or IT management with a record of progressively increasing responsibilities. Well-qualified candidates will have a successful record of achievement, leadership, and success in administrative roles in higher education, experience with similar organizational entities, and a commitment to excellence in IT. Starting salary is commensurate with experience and qualifications.
Apply by October 1, 2008 with electronic letter and resume to LEARNSearch@txstate.edu

Requests for confidentiality of applications will be honored. An AA/EEO employer.

Posting Date: Sep 2 08