This position identifies changes and trends in computer and systems technology and interprets their meaning to executive management. This role will participate in the overall business planning and bring current knowledge and future vision of technology and systems, as related to the organization’s competitive position. The ideal candidate will act as the highest interface with non-technical user functions in determining long-term organization-wide information needs and developing an overall strategy for information needs, systems development and hardware acquisition, and integration including mainframe, mini, macro, and client/server computing applications.

The CIO acts to ensure the integrity of organization-wide data, proprietary information, and related intellectual property through information security and access management.

• Formulate and implement the information technology strategy for all state agencies
• Define, design, and implement a shared services statewide infrastructure and application environment for information technology and telecommunications for all state agencies
• Direct the development and operation of a scalable telecommunications infrastructure that supports data and voice communications reliability, integrity, and security
• Supervise the applications development process for those applications that are utilized across multiple agencies
• Provide direction for the professional development of information technology staff of state agencies and oversee the professional development of the staff of Information Services (IS)
• Evaluate all technology and telecommunication investment choices for all state agencies
• Create a plan to ensure alignment of current systems, tools, and processes with the strategic information technology plan for all state agencies
• Set direction and provide oversight for the support and continuous upgrading of the current information technology and telecommunication infrastructure in the state in support of enhanced reliability, user service levels, and security
• Direct the development, implementation, and management of appropriate standards, policies and procedures to ensure the success of state information technology and telecommunication initiatives
• Recruit, hire and transfer the required technical staff in IS to support the services provided and the execution of the strategic information technology plan
• Establish, maintain, and enforce information technology and telecommunication standards
• Delegate, coordinate, and review all work to ensure quality and efficient operation of IS
• Create and implement a communication plan that disseminates pertinent information to state agencies on standards, policies, procedures, service levels, project status, and other important information to customers of IS and provide for agency feedback and performance evaluation by customers
• Develop and implement training programs for state agencies using the shared services of IS and recommend training programs to state agencies on information technology and telecommunication systems, products and procedures
• Provide counseling, performance evaluation, training, motivation, discipline, and assign duties for employees of IS
• For all state agencies, approve the purchasing of all information technology and telecommunication services and approve the purchase of any information technology and telecommunication product
• Develop and enforce an overall infrastructure architecture strategy and associated roadmaps for desktop, network, server, storage, and statewide management systems for state agencies
• Effectively manage the design, implementation and support of complex, highly available infrastructure to ensure optimal performance, on-time delivery of features, and new products, and scalable growth
• Define and implement a governance model for requesting services and monitoring service level metrics for all shared services
• Create the budget for IS to be submitted to the Legislature each year
• Perform in accordance with all Oklahoma state statutes, including, but not limited to the Oklahoma State Finance Act (62 O.S. Sections 34.11.1 – 34.33), Information Technology Consolidation and Coordination Act (62 O.S. Sections 35.1 – 35.9) and Oklahoma Administrative Code (OAC Title 260, Chapter 15)
• Serve on boards, commissions and professional associations

Minimum Qualifications

Requirements include a bachelor’s degree in Computer Information Systems, Information Systems or Technology Management, Business Administration, Finance, or other similar degree, plus ten years of professional experience with responsibilities for management and support of information systems and information technology, including seven years of direct management of a major information technology operation.

Preference Will Be Given To Candidates Who Possess

• Familiarity with local and wide-area network design, implementation, and operation
• Experience with data and voice convergence service offerings
• Experience in developing technology budgets
• Experience in developing requests for proposal and administering the bid process
• Experience managing professional staff, teams, and consultants
• Knowledge of telecommunications operations
• Ability to develop and set strategic direction for information technology and telecommunications and to manage daily development and operations functions
• An effective communicator who is able to build consensus
• Ability to analyze and resolve complex issues, both logical and interpersonal
• Effective verbal and written communications skills and effective presentation skills, geared toward coordination and education
• Ability to negotiate and defuse conflict
• A self-motivator, independent, cooperative, flexible and creative
• Knowledge and awareness of political climate and current affairs