Chief Technology Officer

Supervises: Director of Application Development, Director of Network Services, Enterprise Data Architect, Administratively the Director of Information Security

Status: Exempt

Objective

The Chief Technology Officer (CTO) is responsible for ensuring a secure, stable, scalable, and future-ready technology environment that enables KEMBA’s operational excellence and long-term strategic objectives.

As a member of the Executive Leadership Team, the CTO leads enterprise technology strategy, infrastructure, cybersecurity, and architecture to ensure the organization’s systems, platforms, and data capabilities are reliable, resilient, and aligned to business needs.

Duties and Responsibilities

Strategy and Planning

• Participates as a member of the executive leadership team in governance processes of the organization’s architecture, telecommunications, networks, programming, media, and desktops
• Leads strategic technology planning by prioritizing initiatives and coordinating the evaluation, deployment, and management of current and future technologies
• Collaborates with the appropriate departments to develop and maintain a technology plan that supports organizational needs
• Develops and communicates technology alignment plans to executive leadership team, staff, partners, customers, and stakeholders
• Directs development and execution of an enterprise-wide disaster recovery and business continuity plan
• Provides regular updates to executive leadership and the Board on technology-related risks, investments, and long-term strategy

Acquisition & Deployment

• Assesses and communicates risks associated with technology-related investments and purchases
• Develops business cases and cost/benefit analyses for technology initiatives
• Establishes and monitors service level performance standards across all technology services
• Defines requirements for new technology implementations and communicates them to key business stakeholders
• Oversees vendor selection, contracts, and technology procurement processes
• Defines, communicates, and monitors policies, procedures, and standards for the organization for acquiring and implementing technology

Cybersecurity and Risk Management

• Owns enterprise technology risk, including cybersecurity, operational resilience, and system integrity
• Leads the organization’s cybersecurity strategy to protect systems, data, and member information
• Oversees incident response, risk mitigation, and technology control frameworks
• Ensures regulatory compliance related to information security and technology operations

Enterprise Governance and Committee Engagement

• Serves as an advisor to the Strategic Initiatives Committee (SIC), providing input on feasibility, architecture, security, and sequencing of enterprise initiatives
• Supports enterprise initiatives by providing technical expertise, solution design guidance, and risk assessment

Operational Management

• Ensures continuous delivery and performance of technology services through service level oversight and system monitoring
• Oversees reliability, availability, and performance of all enterprise technology systems
• Develops and manages technology operating and capital budgets
• Partners with business leaders to ensure technology effectively enables operations and strategic initiatives
• Serves as the primary liaison for communicating technology priorities, capabilities, and performance to the Board and executive leadership team
• Leads recruitment, development, and retention of technology personnel
• Ensures leadership continuity by developing and maintaining a strong succession pipeline across the technology organization.
• Ensures compliance with applicable laws, regulations, and internal policies
• Develops an understanding of Credit Union history, philosophy, organization, policies, and operational procedures
• On a self-direct basis, continues to improve individual level of competency through training and certification on established educational programs
• Performs other duties as required by management

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in computer science or related field or equivalent experience
• 10+ years’ experience managing and/or directing technological operations
• 7+ years’ experience working in the financial industry
• Strong experience in enterprise technology, architecture, infrastructure, and cybersecurity
• Excellent knowledge of technology environments, including telecommunications, networks, programming, media, and desktops
• Experience in strategic technology planning, execution, and policy development
• Extensive knowledge of data processing, hardware platforms, enterprise software applications, and outsourced systems
• Strong financial acumen, including budget and vendor management
• Excellent leadership, communication, and strategic thinking skills

Desired Qualification:

• Master’s degree in Business Administration or related field

Physical Demands

The physical demands listed below represent those necessary to perform the essential functions of this role. Reasonable accommodation may be provided to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these functions.

The employee is regularly required to sit, use their hands, reach with arms, and communicate verbally and orally. Occasional standing, walking, and lifting of objects up to 25 pounds are required. Vision requirements include close, distance vision, and focus adjustment.