Chief Information Officer

Job Description

The Chief Information Officer ( CIO ) provides technology vision and leadership by setting objectives and strategies that support the mission of the Agency , providing safe, reliable , and customer-oriented public transit . In collaboration with the CEO and senior executive team, t he CIO devises and directs the Agency's technology strategy and ensures that all systems necessary to support its operations and objectives are in place. The CIO selects and implements suitable technology to streamline all internal operations to help optimize their strategic benefits and improve customer experience. The CIO is a persuasive leader who inspires, motivates , and guides others towards an understood goal, continually leading by example and making technology 'easy' for the customer. This position supports the 24/7 transit operations and will primarily be site based. The successful candidate must demonstrate the following traits:

• Leadership -- Provide leadership and overarching technical strategy to accomplish the mission and strategies of the organization. Ability to effectively communicate the strategies to the IT team, executive leadership , MTS staff, and the MTS Board of Directors. Ability to remain calm under pressure and to handle personnel related issues timely and to the benefit of the IT Team and Agency .
• Strategic Planning and Business Development - Serve as a trusted advisor by building and maintaining relationships with leadership to determine business needs and identify cost-effective and innovative IT solutions . Research and create strategies, develop and implement plans, policies , and processes to support the Agency. Continually evaluate the enterprise and adjust focus as necessary. Leverage enterprise-wide information to re-engineer IT Infrastructure and team strategy into efficient alignment with business priorities. Bring clarity and direction to strategic business decisions enabling immediate savings and assuring sustainable growth.
• Project Management - Oversee multi-phase, multi-dimensional, multi-resource projects from inception to conclusion while maintaining high customer satisfaction. Ensure all Client Satisfaction goals, Service Level Agreements , and Contractual Commitments are met. Monitor and adjust estimates to integrate new constraints. Map and link business objectives to existing business process flows and design future-proof processes using best practices and domain expertise .
• Operational Stewardship - Anticipate and align with business needs by fusing business and technology strategy, developing talent , and designing the IT operating model.
• Entrepreneurship - Deliver competitive advantage by shaping innovation, engaging customers , and digitizing the enterprise.
• Budget ing -- Oversee the preparation and administration of the department 's budget.
• Mentor ing - Foster a positive corporate culture by empowering staff to make , and be accountable for , decisions. Recognize staff by trusting and valuing their input, innovation , and effort.
• Team Building -- Be a ctively involved in the recruiting and retention of key team members. Encourage and facilitate cooperative and collaborative working relationships across all levels whilst realigning work groups and roles to foster and develop teamwork. Ability to delegate and empower teams while retaining an eye for detail; catalyst for cross-fertilization of ideas/practices across teams and divisions/departments; and, focus on using employee satisfaction as an engine to drive customer satisfaction.
  
  

Mts Technology Environment Overview

MTS has made significant investment s in its technology resources and executive leadership is strongly committed to realizing the highest possible return on th ese investment s . All foundational infrastructure (servers, storage, network , and desktop equipment) is replaced on a four to five-year rotation with a goal of maintaining 90% of equipment less than four years old. MTS has several large enterprise systems and a complex network architecture to support day-to-day operations of its transit system .

Examples Of Duties

Essential Functions

Strategy & Planning

• Participates in the strategic and operational governance processes of MTS as a member of the senior management team and provides technical guidance.
• Leads IT strategic and operational planning to achieve MTS goals by fostering innovation, prioritizing IT initiatives , and coordinating the evaluation, deployment , and management of current and future IT systems across the organization .
• Promotes and oversees strategic relationships between internal IT resources, stakeholders , and external entities.
• Continually researches trends and issues in the IT industry, including innovative technologies and associated costs, and advises all layers of management of any competitive impacts and risks.
• Develops and maintains an appropriate IT organizational structure that supports MTS needs.
• Establishes and promotes technology goals, best practices , and standardized operating procedures.
• Identifies cost-effective opportunities for technology investment including sourcing, purchasing , staffing , and in-house development.
• Develops the technology investment plan and presents it to the Information Technology Advisory Committee (ITAC), a committee of MTS executive management.
• Develops business case justifications and cost/benefit analyses for IT spending and initiatives . Analyzes the costs, value and risks of information technology to guide MTS management and makes recommendations.
• Directs development, update and execution of an enterprise-wide Disaster Recovery and Strategic Plan, conducts an annual Enterprise Assessment , and reports findings to ITAC.
  
  

Acquisition & Deployment

• Consults and facilitates discussion s with stakeholders, internal customers, regional partners , and staff to exchange information, define business and systems requirements for new technology implementations.
• Approves, prioritizes , and controls projects and the project portfolio as they relate to the selection , acquisition, development , and installation of major information systems.
• Reviews hardware and software acquisition and maintenance contracts and pursues master agreements to leverage economies of scale.
• Defines and communicates Agency plans, policies , and standards for acquiring , implementing , and operating technology systems.
  
  

Operational Management

• Develops and manages the IT annual operating and capital budgets, oversees the daily operations of the IT Department, and directs the development and maintenance activities for all hardware, software , and network systems.
• Manages the daily operations of the IT Department, including directing IT staff in the execution of administrative, network, telecommunications, development, maintenance , and other IT functions.
• Designs, establishes , and maintains a network infrastructure for local and area-wide connectivity and remote access.
• Ensures continuous delivery of IT services through oversight of service level agreements (SLAs) with end users and monitoring of IT systems performance.
• Maintains excellent customer service experiences for internal and external customers .
• Ensures IT system operations conform to applicable federal and state laws and regulations.
• Supervises recruitment, development, retention and organization of all IT staff consistent with budgetary objectives and personnel policies.
• Develops IT specific RFIs, RFQs , and RFPs for acquisition of technology, services , and prepares/presents MTS Board agenda items .
• Directs the development and maintenance activities for all IT systems, including hardware, software , and networks to ensure reliability, availability, security , and recoverability.
• Oversees the development and implementation of strategic problem resolution.
• Partners with the Cybersecurity department in the facilitation of achieving a secure technological security posture.
  
  

Duties May Include, But Are Not Limited To, The Following :

• Performs other duties as assigned.
  
  

Qualifications

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

Knowledge of or ability to learn MTS policies and regulations; ability to read, understand and apply MTS policies, regulations and union labor contracts; ability to write letters, memoranda and reports using clear, concise and grammatically correct English; ability to speak clearly, distinctly and effectively in person-to-person or small group situations using tact and diplomacy; ability to coordinate and initiate actions necessary to implement decisions and delegate responsibilities to appropriate personnel; ability to establish and maintain priorities in order to complete assignments by deadlines without detailed instructions; skill in verifying the accuracy and completeness of forms and reports; knowledge of Microsoft Word and Excel and the ability to learn and use other software that MTS might have or acquire; ability to initiate, coordinate and negotiate sharing of tasks to achieve goals; ability to establish and manage priorities judiciously; exceptional verbal and written communication skills; ability to clearly communicate complex technical concepts to individuals or groups with varying technical understanding; exceptional organizational, prioritization and multi-tasking skills; good stress-management coping skills and ability to work well under pressure; ability to create and present clear and logical system documentation.

Special Skills

Detailed knowledge of and ability to apply effective business theories and business processes; exceptional knowledge of and skill with budgeting and business operations; extensive understanding of computer systems' characteristics, features and integration capabilities; comprehensive understanding of and ability to apply traditional and contemporary project management principles and methods; exceptional knowledge and understanding of the software development life-cycle; strong understanding of human resource management principles, practices and procedures ; s uperior analytical and problem-solving capabilities ; a strong strategic and business mindset ; e xcellent organizational and leadership skills .

Physical Requirements

The successful candidate must be able to fulfill the physical demands of the job such as walking, stooping, sitting, bending, reaching for overhead files and occasional lifting (must be able to lift up to 15 pounds). Must be able to operate a motor vehicle and perform tasks involving manual dexterity, such as use of a computer and 10-key. Work will at times require more than 8 hours per day or an irregular work week to perform the essential duties of the position. Duties will be performed primarily in an office type environment and may require travel to external locations and agencies.

Experience/Education/Certificates/License(s)

A minimum of 10 years of increasingly responsible management and operational experience in Information Technology is required.

Must Also Possess The Following

• Proven experience as a senior manager in a technical area or field .
• Demonstrated knowledge of theories, principles, and practices of information systems, including advanced technology, systems, integration, state-of-the-art hardware, software, and cloud-based systems .
• Demonstrated experience with long-range information technology strategic planning methodology and techniques .
• Demonstrated knowledge of modern management theory, project management principles, and application .
• Background in designing or developing IT systems and planning IT implementation s .
• Demonstrated experience with data analysis, budgeting , and business operations .
• Outstanding communication and interpersonal abilities with proven record of working collaboratively and effectively across departments in an organization .
  
  

Must possess a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university. A master's degree is highly desirable, but not required . A combination of education and experience meeting the required knowledge and abilities would be considered. Must possess and maintain a valid California driver's license.

GENERAL: Must satisfactorily pass all applicable examinations including, but not limited to, a pre-employment physical, drug screen and background check.

SALARY GRADE: #1 9 ($201,601 - $286,273)

HIRING RANGE: DOQ*

DISCLAIMER: The above described job elements are intended to indicate the general nature and levels of work being performed by employees assigned to the job. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of duties, responsibilities and skills required of employees so classified. Management retains the discretion to add to or change the duties of the position at any time.