Chief Information Officer

Overview

The Chief Information Officer is a senior technology executive responsible for aligning enterprise technology strategy with Tompkins’ mission, business objectives, risk appetite, and regulatory expectations. This role provides strategic leadership for information technology, digital transformation, data governance, core banking platforms, technology operations, and vendor partnerships. The CIO ensures secure, reliable, scalable, and cost-effective technology services that enhance the client experience, strengthen operational efficiency, support prudent innovation, and enable continued growth in a highly regulated financial services environment.

Position Goals

• Enterprise Technology Strategy and Leadership - Set and execute a multi-year technology strategy that aligns technology investments with business priorities, customer growth, operational efficiency, regulatory expectations, and long-term enterprise value.
• Technology Governance, Risk, and Resiliency - Strengthen IT governance, cybersecurity alignment, regulatory compliance, third-party risk management, business continuity, disaster recovery, and incident response capabilities across the organization.
• Core Banking, Digital, and Data Modernization - Advance core banking platforms, digital channels, data governance, analytics, and responsible innovation to improve service delivery, accessibility, security, and business decision-making.
• Operational Excellence and Technology Performance - Ensure reliable, scalable, and high-performing technology operations while driving automation, process improvement, architecture discipline, and effective change, release, and patch management.
• Financial Stewardship, Vendor Value, and Talent Development - Optimize IT budget and capital planning, manage strategic vendor relationships, track program value, and build a high-performing technology organization grounded in accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement.

Responsibilities

Enterprise Technology Strategy and Executive Leadership

• Develop and execute a 3–5-year technology strategy and multi-year roadmap aligned with enterprise goals, innovation priorities, risk appetite, and total cost of ownership.
• Partner with executive leadership and business line leaders to prioritize technology initiatives and deliver measurable business outcomes.
• Present technology plans, risk posture, and performance updates to executive leadership and Board-level committees.
• Lead a high-performing IT organization that attracts, develops, and retains talent while promoting accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement.

Governance, Risk, Compliance, and Resiliency

• Own the IT governance framework, including technology policies, standards, procedures, controls, and regulatory alignment.
• Partner with the Chief Information Security Officer to support a robust and compliant cybersecurity program.
• Ensure compliance with FFIEC guidance, GLBA, privacy requirements, and applicable regulatory expectations.
• Oversee third-party technology risk management and coordinate with Audit and Risk Management on examinations, audits, remediation, and resiliency planning.

Core Banking, Applications, and Technology Operations

• Lead core banking system strategy, optimization, vendor relationships, and support of mission-critical platforms.
• Oversee digital banking platforms, payments, lending systems, internal applications, networks, endpoints, and cloud or hybrid infrastructure environments.
• Ensure 24/7 reliability, availability, performance, and scalability across core systems and technology operations.
• Establish enterprise architecture standards, manage application portfolio rationalization, and maintain disciplined change, release, and patch management practices.

Digital Transformation, Data, and Responsible Innovation

• Modernize customer-facing channels with a focus on usability, security, accessibility, and an improved client experience.
• Build and advance a data strategy covering governance, quality, lineage, master data, reporting, and analytics.
• Evaluate fintech partnerships and support responsible use of emerging technologies, including AI and automation, when they provide clear business value.
• Drive process reengineering across operations to reduce cycle times, errors, and cost.

Financial Management, Vendor Ecosystem, and Team Excellence

• Own the IT budget and multi-year capital plan, optimizing run versus change spend and tracking benefits realization and ROI for major programs.
• Negotiate and manage strategic vendor relationships, contracts, service-level agreements, commercial controls, and vendor risk expectations.
• Develop and implement technology policies, procedures, and operational practices that support efficiency, compliance, and sustainable performance.
• Build, develop, and retain a high-performing technology team while strengthening communication between IT and business partners.

Key Success Factors

• Strategic Leadership & Execution: Shapes long term strategy by aligning vision, mission, and values with strategic goals, growth initiatives, and future challenges.
• Risk Management: Provides strategic risk leadership by defining risk tolerance, guiding risk frameworks, and shaping short- and long-term risk strategies.
• People Leadership: Champions engagement, retention, and development through coaching, recognition, shared leadership, and succession planning.
• Managing through Change & Uncertainty: Champions a culture that embraces uncertainty, leads major change with clarity and vision, and drives accountability for change.
• Problem Solving & Decision Making: Promotes objective, forward-thinking decisions by applying the Tompkins model, seeking diverse perspectives, and empowering accountability.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Information Systems, Computer Science, or a related field required; advanced degree preferred.
• Minimum of 15 years of progressive technology leadership experience, including senior leadership responsibility.
• Significant experience in banking or regulated financial services required; community, regional, or mid-size bank experience preferred.
• Strong knowledge of core banking platforms, digital channels, cybersecurity, data governance, and regulatory expectations.
• Demonstrated success leading enterprise technology transformations, including core or platform upgrades, digital banking, cloud migrations, and data or analytics initiatives.
• Proven ability to lead complex initiatives, manage risk, and deliver results in a highly regulated environment.
• Excellent communication skills with the ability to engage executives, regulators, the Board, business partners, and technology teams.
• Strong financial acumen and sound business judgment.

Benefits

• Medical
• Dental
• Vision
• 401(k) Match
• Profit Sharing
• Paid Time Off
• 11 Holidays
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Free Parking throughout Tompkins Community Bank
• Employee Referrals

EEO Statement

Tompkins is committed to a policy of Equal Employment Opportunity ("EEO") with respect to all team members and applicants for employment and a work environment free from discrimination (including unlawful harassment) based on race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, transgender status, gender non-conformity, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, age, marital status, domestic violence victim status, disability, predisposing genetic characteristics, military or veteran status or status in any group protected by federal, state, or local law.

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Pay Range

Starting from USD $270,000.00/Yr.

Bonus/Incentive Plan

This position includes participation in a performance-based cash incentive plan. May also be eligible for Equity Grants