Technology Advisor

Position Title:

Technology Advisor

Compensation:

$50,000 - $60,000

Department:

Unified Technology Support_A

About this opportunity:

Join Information Technology at Ball State University as a Technology Advisor. We are seeking an exceptional communicator and customer service professional with deep expertise in desktop and mobile computing technology. In this role, you will collaborate on campus projects and initiatives to research, propose, and procure technology solutions aligned with strategic university goals. You will also coordinate day-to-day vendor relationships and help guide the evolution of technology at Ball State. This is a great opportunity to help shape the future of technology provided by Ball State University.

What you'll do and what you'll bring:

Position Function: Serve as an integral team member who assists with the coordination and procurement of technology for campus initiatives.  Research and propose technology solutions to match the needs of campus partners and associated projects. Serve as the vendor relationship coordinator for Information Technology (IT) and act as the day-to-day point of contact for IT vendors. Collaborate with IT leadership, technical teams, campus partners, budget personnel, and external vendors on technology initiatives and projects.

Duties and Responsibilities:

1. Coordinate the overall annual College Technology Plans for all Academic colleges. This may include communicating directly with Deans, Associate Deans, and support staff; Ensure requested technology meets University standards and recommend alternatives as needed; Work with Technology vendors to assure correct and best-priced equipment.

2. Serve as a technology advisor in making recommendations to campus departments on the best technology to meet their needs. Maintain up-to-date knowledge of computer technology.

3. Work with Technology Helpdesk and Desktop Support units, collaborating on orders, scheduling, and installation timelines of new equipment for all campus partners. Communicate directly with partners to set and manage expectations on anticipated timelines.

4. Coordinate with technology vendors and suppliers in support of assigned IT initiatives, procurement activities, and projects. Serve as a point of contact for specific vendor engagements, product inquiries, implementations, and purchasing activities within the scope of assigned responsibilities. Facilitate consistent communication between vendors, IT subject matter experts, IT leadership, and campus stakeholders to support project timelines, deliverables, pricing, and technical requirements. 

5. Contact technology vendors for product information, price quotes, availability of items, and order requirements or restrictions. Work with vendors and negotiate when possible to obtain the best overall pricing. Work with vendors to ensure IT Security has the needed Security documentation such as ISO 27001 and/or SOC type 2 reports. Establish and maintain relationships with external vendors to coordinate progress and escalate vendor issues as needed.

6. Work with IT leadership on all technology planning, allocations and budgets ensuring accurate allocations and yearly budgeted amounts are accurately maintained. Work with the vendors and coordinate any contracts with the IT leadership.

7. Collaborate and support IT leadership on projects and strategic initiatives, including the IT Software Review process and other projects as needed. Attend and facilitate meetings, and communicate objectives effectively to team members and partners.
8. Onboard new technology vendors as needed by coordinating required information and documentation.

9. Collaborate on periodic vendor reviews, which may involve scheduling, reviewing proposals, meeting coordination, proposal reviews, competitor identification, vendor research, requesting public records from other universities, organizing, and serving as the point of contact for vendor engagements.

10. Coordinate Request for Proposals (RFP) and Request for Quotes (RFQ) as needed for technology projects. Provide essential documentation and consistent communication as needed to support these processes.

11. Provide timely communication and updates on projects, initiatives, and activities to IT leadership via their preferred means of communication (i.e. ticketing system, email, verbal etc..)

12. Perform other related duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications:

1. Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university by date of appointment.
Or, in lieu of a Bachelor's degree:
2. Associate's degree plus an additional combination of education or experience in Information Technology equivalent to two years.
Or
3. High school diploma or GED plus an additional combination of education or experience in Information Technology equivalent to four years.

 

At least two years of experience working in a technology procurement, vendor relations, project management, technology support role, or related field.

 

Excellent oral and written communication skills; exceptional customer service skills; strong analytical and problem-solving skills; strong organizational skills.

 

Preferred Qualifications:

Bachelor's degree in computer technology, information systems, computer science, communication, or related area.

 

Additional years of technology support, project management, and vendor relations experience.

 

How to apply:

Jerry Pierce at rjpierce@bsu.edu

Please list three professional references within the online application.

Supporting Documents Upload Instructions:

Important:  Do not use the Autofill feature when uploading your resume.

Please follow the upload instructions to attach the required supporting document listed below.

Required Document:

• Resume

Optional Document:

• Cover Letter

What we offer:

At Ball State University, we understand the importance of balancing professional responsibilities with personal well-being. That's why we offer paid 24 vacation days, 12 sick days and 10 holidays a year. Plus, our paid parental leave (6 weeks) is there for life's most significant moments. We offer affordable health and dental insurance, robust long-term disability and life insurance plans, as well a range of retirement benefits to provide financial security to you and your family. These benefits ensure that you can focus on your work and personal growth without worrying about the unexpected.

When you work for us, you are family. And to show our support of your family, we will cover 90 percent of your child's (or children's) undergraduate college tuition at Ball State. We do the same for you.  In fact, we'll cover 100 percent of the tuition costs for you to earn your undergraduate degree and 80 percent of your graduate tuition.  This offer is good from the very first day you start. It's just one way we do our part to uplift you.

Let's fly together toward a secure and prosperous tomorrow.

Curious about our excellent benefits package?

We have developed a calculator that shows you the value of our core benefits. Select the Total Compensation Calculator - Professional and download the spreadsheet. If you are applying for a 10-month position or one with Burris or Indiana Academy, please select the corresponding calculator.