Executive Director, Cyber Center of Excellence - College of Engineering and Technology

Grand Canyon University!  One of Arizona’s leading institutions of higher learning.  Located in the Valley of Sun in the heart of Phoenix, Arizona, GCU is a regionally accredited, private, nondenominational Christian University. 

The College of Engineering & Technology Executive Director, Cyber Center of Excellence, leads strategic initiatives and tactical operations across its enhanced Cyber Center of Excellence (CCE). The CCE is the College of Engineering & Technology’s hub for academic innovation, research, and industry partnerships across the cyber domain. The CCE includes an extensive cyber range/lab, testing center, immersive residence hall, and outreach activities. The Executive Director will also provide leadership for extra-curricular support programs, including student clubs, competitions, mentorships, and state & national efforts that enhance experiential learning and workforce readiness.

Please note, that the Executive Director, Cyber Center of Excellence position is located at our main campus in Phoenix, AZ.

What you will do:

• Provide leadership, oversight, and strategic planning for the Cyber Center of Excellence and co-curricular activities.

• Develop and implement a strategic vision for cyber engagement, innovation, and enrollment growth, ensuring alignment with institutional goals and industry trends under the direction of college leadership.

• Oversee operations, staffing, and infrastructure.

• Lead planning and programmatic oversight for the Cyber Residence Hall, including events, technical challenges, and collaboration with IT and facilities.

• Develop, manage, and monitor the annual budget in coordination with academic leadership to support strategic initiatives and program sustainability.

• Provide regular reporting to university leadership on engagement activities, facility utilization, partnership outcomes, and strategic recommendations for future growth.

• Work with university marketing teams to promote GCU’s cyber ecosystem to prospective students, partners, and the broader cybersecurity community.

• Build and maintain strong partnerships with industry and government stakeholders to support student opportunities, applied research, and workforce development.

• Oversee outreach programs that engage K-12 students and educators, fostering awareness and pathways to GCU’s undergraduate and graduate cyber programs.

• Collaborate with the university’s grants office to identify, write, and manage grant proposals that advance cyber education and co-curricular programming.

• Collaborate with university’s advancement team to identify sponsorships to fund facility improvements, student activities, competitions, and outreach programs.

• Other duties as assigned.

What you need:

• MS/MBA degree in a cyber or cyber adjacent field, or combination of education and industry experience in the cyber domain.

• Must have 5 years of cyber domain experience.

• Must have 3 years of supervisory/management experience.

• Must pass pre-employment background investigation.

• Provide a positive example to students by supporting the University’s Doctrinal Statement, Ethical Position Statement and Mission of Grand Canyon University.

Why work at GCU:

• Exceptional workplace benefits include medical, dental, vision, life and disability insurance, flexible spending accounts, a 401K savings plan

• Generous time off plan and 11 paid holidays

• Paid time off to volunteer in the community or at GCU sponsored events

• Free covered parking

• We also offer full-time employees, their spouses, and dependent children an Education Tuition Discount Program

• Free on-site gyms on campus