Chief Technology Officer

The CTO is accountable for defining and delivering IT strategy and capabilities across the enterprise. This includes data analytics, development and support, infrastructure, security, technical services, and large-scale project development and execution, and the selection and implementation of critical software systems. The selected leader will be responsible for providing oversight and direction to IT and educational leaders on strategy, standards, and opportunities for shared services and economies of scale.
The CTO is a key contributor to the District's strategy and planning process and will be responsible both for IT operations and for technology and digital innovation. The CTO must build strong, productive relationships with all building leaders, acting as a true partner and making IT an educational partner.
QUALIFICATIONS
10 years of career experience in technology, including a minimum of 3 years in a leadership position.
Experience in a CTO or equivalent position is preferred but not required.
Classroom teaching experience is preferred but is not required.
An advanced degree in a related field, such as computer science, engineering, and/or business (MBA) is preferred.
CoSN CETL certification is preferred
ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES
Make key contributions to the formulation of the district's educational mission, annual strategic plan,and digital strategies.
Proactively advise district leadership on emerging technology and digital trends.
Establish and lead committees that inform and support the effective use of technology.
Determine capital investment parameters, priorities, and risks for enterprise-wide IT initiatives to maximize investment and efficiency.
Leadership
Develop an IT vision and strategy, and a roadmap, and lead the IT team and its internal and external partners in effective execution, particularly in software system selection, roll-out and support to ensure successful operation of key systems.
Lead the development and implementation of policies and practices that promote ethical, safe, and responsible use of technology, including acceptable use, digital citizenship, and systems that educate and support student and staff safety.
Facilitate change management paired with strong communication within the organization.
Ensure, on an ongoing basis, that current and planned technical architecture, investments, and solutions are aligned with district objectives.
Prepare, monitor, and forecast IT operational budgets that meet prevailing objectives and restraints. Similarly, collaborate with the Chief School Business Official to forecast capital expenditure needs for larger infrastructure projects.
Develop, evaluate, and execute a data analytics program that will allow district leaders to make data-informed decisions.
Build strong relationships with district and building stakeholder groups and their leaders to develop a detailed understanding of their issues, challenges, and opportunities.
Implement the most appropriate and effective IT organizational design to support and engage with district stakeholders.
Build strong relationships with educational and technology vendors and professional groups to identify and develop potential partnerships.
Team Development
Hire, develop, evaluate, reward, and retain a highly qualified team of IT professionals.
Foster a culture of service, innovation, transparency, and accountability in IT.
Promote a "customer-first" mentality at all levels of the IT organization.
Ensure that the organization has strong systems analysis and project management skills, and the ability to execute education-critical projects.
Develop and maintain a plan that provides for cross-training, succession and business continuity in the most critical IT management positions.
IT Operations
Provide reliable, secure, and robust technology systems supporting the mission and operations of the district.
Direct the design, planning, implementation, and maintenance of the computing infrastructure that supports the District's operations and educational applications.
Establish metrics for managing IT effectiveness and for measuring the impact of IT.
Establish appropriate service levels and the processes to ensure that KPIs are met.
Maintain oversight and provide cabinet- and building-level communication of all IT projects, ensuring that commitments are properly planned, staffed, monitored and reported. Ensure projects do not interrupt day-to-day education operations in project planning.
Establish a comprehensive enterprise information security program to ensure the integrity, confidentiality, and availability of relevant data.
Ensure district compliance with the Illinois Student Online Personal Protection Act (SOPPA). This includes managing written data privacy agreements with technology vendors, maintaining required public postings, and implementing reasonable security practices to protect student data.
Establish and lead a comprehensive cybersecurity program that protects district networks, systems, and data from cyber threats. The program should include risk assessment, threat monitoring, incident response, and regular maturity assessments (third-party evaluations) against an industry standard framework (i.E., NIST).
Lead the design and implementation of an enterprise-wide disaster recovery and continuity plan.
Establish and enforce IT policies, processes, portfolio management, development standards and methodologies.
Ensure technology staff are engaged in ongoing professional development to continue developing skills and knowledge specific to their job responsibilities
Monitor the industry for developments in IT operations;
evaluate and implement relevant new tools and service management frameworks.
Review, recommend, and oversee all vendors and managed service agreements for computing, telecommunications, IT services, and equipment.
Leadership and Communications
Can create a clear strategic vision for information technology that supports educational objectives, and can execute on that vision.
Able to work collaboratively with diverse leaders, communicate an IT vision and strategy across all levels of the organization, and build consensus around key initiatives and projects.
Possesses exceptional interpersonal and communication skills, both oral and written;
able to articulate ideas to both technical and non-technical audiences.
Demonstrated ability to recruit, hire, and motivate a high-performing IT team that values transparency and accountability.
Possesses exceptional business acumen, analytical and problem-solving abilities.
Excellent negotiating skills with internal stakeholders and external service providers.
Comfortable with ambiguity;
can handle the unexpected with flexibility.
A team player who favors collaborative approaches when working with internal and external partners.
Proven ability to build trust with others through a commitment to the highest ethical and professional standards.
A high-energy executive;
tenacious and passionate about reaching goals while maintaining productive, professional working relationships.
Transformation
Demonstrated experience driving digital transformation that improves teaching, learning, and district operations through innovation and technology implementation.
Possesses solid knowledge in emerging technologies and the ability to apply these in the service of the District's key educational goals.
Experience leading complex, major change initiatives, with demonstrated skills in change management, project management, and communication. This includes planning and executing initiatives effectively, engaging stakeholders early, and communicating clearly to build understanding and support at each stage of a project.
Experience building an enterprise-level data analytics capability that integrates student, instructional, and operational data to give educators and district leaders timely, actionable insights.
An entrepreneurial mindset;
able and interested in pursuing new opportunities and partnerships.
Customer-service oriented.
Builds strong technology vendor partnerships and manages multiple vendor relationships to ensure the best performance and financial return.
IT Operations
Knowledge of a range of vendor technology solutions;
able to select and integrate the most appropriate technologies to support District goals.
Demonstrated ability to design and implement comprehensive cybersecurity and risk management approaches.
Experience designing and managing an effective IT governance framework across the spectrum of IT service delivery.
Outstanding organizational skills and the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced, high-pressure environment.
A strong background in operational and capital finances, and IT budget development
Understands service management frameworks and how to scale and implement them.
This is a 12-month position with an annual base salary range of $175,000 - $195,000 (this amount does not include Board-paid TRS), based on qualifications, training, and experience. The fringe benefits package is comprehensive and highly competitive with those offered by high school districts in the suburban area.
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