Chief Technology Officer (Chicago)

POSITION DESCRIPTION SUMMARY STATEMENT: The Chief Technology Officer (CTO) is responsible for overseeing all technological aspects of the company. The CTO works with Executive Management to attain the strategic goals of the company through a proactive and practical approach. The CTO will report to the President/CEO.

ESSENTIAL POSITION QUALIFICATIONS:

• BS/BA in Computer Science or related field
• Master’s Degree in a related field preferred
• At least 10 years of experience in a managerial capacity in information technology in an in-house position
• Excellent skills in both oral and written communication
• Strong presentation skills
• Problem-solving skills
• Establish and chair the IT Steering Committee
• Ten plus years of large project management experience on software procurement and implementation including enterprise financial software
• Ten plus years of risk mitigation experience

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Must be able to evaluate IT services to be provided in-house and what to outsource
• Must develop a reasonable budget for a company of our size and scope and operate within the budget with approvals for exceptions.
• Must be able to understand each entity and how they operate so as to provide strategic guidance to every IT project for each entity/department.
• Must be up to date with cyber security trends and implement effectively in the businesses. Cyber security is a top concern for our organization.
• Must be able to create/write policies and procedures for IT department and the organization.
• Must be a good fit culturally for our organization understanding the chain of command, to work effectively with the team and to understand the objective for each project.
• Must be empathetic and respectful and be a good leader.
• Must be accountable to the organization and employees while also holding the team accountable. Must be proactive.
• Must be able to work productively with each department (HR, Legal, Investments, Accounting (both departments), NFP’s)
• Risk mitigation and compliance for entire organization

OBJECTIVES AND DUTIES:

1. Strategic Leadership:
   • Develop and implement the company's technology strategy, aligning it with business objectives and the Strategic Technology Plan.
   • Identify and evaluate emerging technologies and their potential impact on the business.
   • Provide recommendations and carry out as needed to senior management on technology-related decisions and investments.
   • Lead technology procurements and implementation
2. Technology Management:
   • Oversee the company's technology infrastructure, including hardware, software, and networks.
   • Manage the technology budget and resources effectively.
   • Develop and maintain the ROI model, as necessary
   • Ensure the security and integrity of the company's technology systems.
   • Manage the company's technology teams, including hiring, training, and performance management.
3. Innovation and Development:
   • Drive innovation and the development of new products and services.
   • Lead the development and implementation of new technologies.
   • Ensure that the company's technology is up-to-date and competitive.
   • Approval of all IT projects based on IT Strategic Plan and standards
   • Ensure that all technology solutions are reliable, secure, and compliant with industry regulations
4. Risk Mitigation:
   • Identifying, assessing, and mitigating technology-related risks, ensuring compliance with regulations, and developing strategies to protect the company's data and systems.
   • Risk Identification and Assessment:
     • Proactively identify potential risks, including cybersecurity threats, data breaches, regulatory compliance issues, and operational vulnerabilities.
     • Regularly conduct vulnerability scans and penetration testing to identify weaknesses in systems and applications.
     • Use threat modeling techniques to understand potential attack vectors and vulnerabilities.
   • Risk Mitigation and Management:
     • Implement and maintain robust security controls, including firewalls, intrusion detection systems, and access controls.
     • Implement data encryption, access controls, and data loss prevention measures to protect sensitive information.
     • Ensure compliance with relevant regulations, such as GDPR, CCPA, and industry-specific standards.
     • Develop and maintain a comprehensive incident response plan to address security incidents effectively.
     • Plan for and implement business continuity measures to ensure that the organization can continue to operate in the event of a disaster or outage.
     • Evaluate and manage risks associated with third-party vendors and suppliers.
   • Technology Strategy and Implementation:
     • Choose technologies that are secure and reliable, and that meet the organization's risk management needs.
     • Design and implement secure and resilient technology infrastructure.
     • Promote security awareness and training among employees.
     • Collaborate with other departments, such as IT, legal, and compliance, to ensure a holistic approach to risk management.
     • Develop and maintain a comprehensive technology risk management framework that addresses both emerging risks and operational challenges.

1. Communication and Collaboration:
   • Communicate technology strategies and plans to internal and external stakeholders.
   • Collaborate with other departments and teams to ensure that technology supports their needs.
   • Serve as a technical advisor to the Chairwoman, Chief Executive Officer and other senior executives and departments.

1. Other Important Tasks:
   • Ensure compliance with relevant regulations and standards.
   • Develop and implement disaster recovery plans and business continuity strategies.
   • Stay informed about the latest technological trends and advancements.

SKILLS AND QUALIFICATIONS:

• Technical Expertise: Strong understanding of various technologies, including software, hardware, networking, and cybersecurity.
• Strategic Thinking: Ability to develop and implement long-term technology strategies.
• Leadership and Management: Ability to lead and manage technology teams effectively.
• Communication and Interpersonal Skills: Ability to communicate technical concepts clearly and effectively to both technical and non-technical audiences.
• Problem-Solving and Analytical Skills: Ability to identify and solve complex technical problems.
• Business Acumen: Understanding of business principles and how technology can drive business growth.

OTHER:

• Detail oriented
• Able to handle multiple projects at once
• Foster collaboration and excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to interact with all levels of staff
• Ability to manage a team with diplomacy and collaborative leadership style which puts value on relationships and collaboration, both internal and external
• Ability to collaborate and encourage collaboration in a team environment, and ability to work independently and prioritize work
• Additional duties as needed and assigned

BENEFITS (Full-time Employees):

• Paid time off
• 401K
• Medical, dental, and vision coverage