Director of Information Security, Information Technology at Northwest Missouri State University, MO

About the Department

This is an internal posting for candidates who are already employed at Northwest Missouri State University. Only internal candidates within the Information Technology Department will be considered for this position.

EMPLOYMENT TERMS: Full-time position

PRIMARY DUTY: The Director of Information Security will be instrumental in deploying, operating, and scaling a high-performance network that ensures exceptional availability and robust security. This position requires the ability to blend emerging technologies with industry-standard security best practices to protect the university’s information assets from internal and external threats.

Position Duties

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

1. Reports to the Assistant Vice President (AVP) for Information Technology. The Director is responsible for the development and delivery of a comprehensive information security program for Northwest Missouri State University.

2. Develop, implement, maintain, and evaluate security policies, practices, standards, systems, and procedures. Maintain a written information security plan and supporting security architecture documentation.

3. Investigate potential violations of computer and network security and coordinate responses to incidents.

4. Develop procedures to ensure confidentiality, integrity, and availability of university data and software. Collaborate with the Directors of IT Infrastructure, Enterprise Applications, and Technology Services to identify and implement appropriate security controls, tools, and procedures.

5. Direct and coordinate the development and delivery of security awareness programs to educate the campus community on the safe and ethical use of information technology resources.

6. Remain informed of developments in existing and proposed state and federal legislation and regulatory requirements pertaining to information system security and privacy. Keep university leadership informed of legal and regulatory impacts related to information privacy, data processing, and/or security standards and techniques.

7. Advise management regularly on the status of information security and confidentiality conditions, including regulatory and standards compliance, risk areas, and recommended improvements or mitigation strategies.

8. Research and monitor trusted external intelligence sources and leverage knowledge to detect events of interest. Assist with malware detection and forensic investigations. In conjunction with IT staff, plan, recommend, and authorize security assessments, including vulnerability scans and penetration testing.

9. Evaluate proposed vendors, products, and processes for compliance with Northwest’s information security policy.

10. Perform additional duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

REQUIREMENTS:

Education: Bachelor’s degree from a four-year college or university, or an equivalent of completed coursework for a Bachelor’s degree

Experience: Minimum of five years of experience in information technology, including demonstrated expertise in at least two of the following areas: firewall access control technologies, risk management, vulnerability management, identity management, Windows or Unix security, cloud security, encryption technologies, or endpoint security controls.

Preferred Knowledge: Working knowledge of information security frameworks and standards relevant to higher education, including NIST, ISO/IEC 27001, CIS Controls, EDUCAUSE/Internet2 HEISC guidance, and applicable federal and state compliance requirements (e.g., FERPA, GLBA, HIPAA).

Skills: Strong problem-solving skills and a commitment to continuous learning; Self-starter with a proactive, solution-oriented approach; Excellent interpersonal and communication skills; Ability to handle sensitive and confidential information with discretion; Proficient in written and verbal communication; Team-oriented with the ability to collaborate effectively across departments

Other Qualifications

WORKING CONDITIONS: This position will work the normal hours of 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. with an hour lunch break. This position may be flexible with the hours worked to include nights and weekends when needed.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES: Work requires supervising and monitoring performance for the Information Security team including providing input on hiring/disciplinary actions and work objectives/effectiveness, administering performance evaluations, and realigning work as needed; Actively observe performance and behavior of team members and provide appropriate supervision, mentoring and coaching to correct problem behaviors, encourage positive professional behavior and teamwork, and assist team members with professional development.

EQUIPMENT/MATERIALS USED: Computers and software

TYPICAL PHYSICAL DEMANDS: Ability to lift up to 20 pounds

COMMUNITY: Northwest Missouri State University is located in Maryville, Missouri, a community of 12,000 with a diverse economy and a strong industrial base. Maryville is located 45 miles north of St. Joseph, Missouri, 90 miles north of Kansas City, Missouri, and 110 miles southeast of Omaha, Nebraska. For more information visit the city’s website at www.maryville.org.

UNIVERSITY: With an enrollment of about 10,000 students, Northwest is a coeducational, primarily residential four-year university that offers a broad range of undergraduate and selected graduate programs on its Maryville campus as well as its Northwest-Kansas City location at the Northland Innovation Center and through Northwest Online.

Founded in 1905 and ranked by U.S. News and World Report among the top public regional universities in the Midwest, Northwest places a high emphasis on profession-based learning to help graduates get a jump start on their careers. Students have opportunities to build their résumés with experiences on campus in nearly every area of study, including the Horace Mann Laboratory School, National Public Radio affiliate KXCV, the R.T. Wright Farm, Mozingo Outdoor Education Recreation Area and Knacktive, a student-driven integrated digital marketing communications agency.

The University also is a national model for student success and career placement with 96 percent of graduates securing employment or continuing their education within six months of completing a degree at Northwest, according to the most recent data.

Furthermore, its vibrant and diverse learning community offers more than 150 student organizations, and textbooks and a laptop are included in tuition, which is among the lowest in the nation, saving students an estimated $6,800 over four years. Northwest also offers 1,200 student employment positions, allowing students to build professional skills through its internationally benchmarked student employment program. Designated the Missouri Arboretum, the Northwest campus was named one of the “50 Most Amazing University Botanical Gardens and Arboretums in the U.S.”

For more information about Northwest and its performance, visit www.nwmissouri.edu.

APPLICATION DEADLINE: August 26, 2025

DATE AVAILABLE: Immediately

TO APPLY: Please fill out a Northwest application online by clicking https://www.schooljobs.com/careers/nwmissouri to reach our employment opportunities listing. You will also need to submit a cover letter, resume, and the contact information for three references for your application materials to be complete. Please contact the Office of Human Resources at 660-562-1121 or email [email protected] for more information.