Chief Technology Officer (CTO)

Salary : based on experience Plus bonus

THE OPPORTUNITY

• Do you enjoy translating business strategy into scalable, secure, and forward-thinking technology solutions?
• Are you energized by leading large-scale technology modernization initiatives while balancing innovation, operational excellence, and risk management?
• Do you thrive in highly collaborative, regulated environments where technology serves as a strategic differentiator and enterprise enabler?

ABOUT THE COMPANY

Our client is a highly respected financial services organization committed to delivering exceptional service, operational excellence, and long-term stewardship. The company operates within a sophisticated and highly regulated environment, requiring thoughtful leadership, disciplined execution, and a strong focus on technology resilience and innovation.

Guided by a culture of collaboration, accountability, continuous improvement, and service, the organization is making significant investments in its technology capabilities to support future growth, enhance customer experiences, and strengthen enterprise-wide operational effectiveness.

This role offers a unique opportunity to partner closely with executive leadership while shaping the future technology landscape of the organization. The successful candidate will play a critical leadership role in modernizing platforms, building organizational capabilities, and creating scalable technology solutions that support long-term strategic objectives.

WHAT YOU’LL BE DOING

Reporting to the Chief Information Officer, the Chief Technology Officer (CTO) serves as the senior technology executive responsible for translating enterprise strategy into an integrated, resilient, and future-ready technology environment.

The CTO will provide leadership across Software Engineering & Architecture, Infrastructure and IT Operations, and Data Analytics while ensuring these functions operate in a coordinated fashion. This executive will balance strategic leadership with technical depth to guide investment decisions, challenge assumptions, and provide leadership during complex technology initiatives and critical events.

• Partner with executive leadership to develop and execute an integrated technology strategy aligned with organizational priorities and risk tolerance.
• Serve as a trusted advisor to the CIO/leadership group regarding technology modernization, innovation opportunities, and long-term technology investments.
• Establish technology roadmaps, standards, governance practices, and target-state architecture.
• Translate business objectives into measurable technology outcomes and execution plans.
• Ensure all components of the IT group operate in a coordinated fashion to support business strategies and goals.
• Build strong relationships across the organization to create shared ownership of technology initiatives.
• Maintain and seek out information about new technology, risk, and operational practices and make recommendations that are appropriate given the organizations environment.

Software Engineering & Architecture

• Lead enterprise architecture and engineering functions to ensure scalable, secure, and maintainable solutions.
• Advance modern software engineering practices including automation, DevOps, and third-party delivery models.
• Establish governance processes that improve interoperability, resiliency, and organizational agility.
• Balance innovation initiatives with operational stability and risk management.

Infrastructure & IT Operations

• Provide leadership for cloud engineering, infrastructure, platform operations, and service reliability.
• Strengthen operational processes related to availability, disaster recovery, incident response, observability, and capacity planning.
• Reduce operational risk and key-person dependencies through documentation, standardization, and automation.
• Ensure technology platforms support long-term organizational scalability.
• Partner with data leaders to advance enterprise data and analytics capabilities.
• Strengthen data governance, quality, accessibility, and stewardship practices.
• Support the development of trusted analytics capabilities and responsible AI initiatives.
• Establish sustainable data platforms and architectures that improve decision-making across the organization .
• Ensure technology functions operate within organizational policies, regulatory expectations, and internal control frameworks.
• Partner with Information Security, Risk Management, Compliance, and Internal Audit teams to embed controls into technology processes.
• Strengthen governance practices and maintain transparency around technology risks and investments.
• Lead executive communication and response efforts during significant technology incidents.

Talent Development & Organizational Leadership

• Build and develop a high-performing technology leadership team.
• Foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, empowerment, and continuous improvement.
• Strengthen succession planning and organizational capabilities across technology functions.
• Create an environment that encourages innovation while maintaining clear ownership and accountability.

IDEAL CANDIDATE QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Information Systems, Engineering, or a related discipline; advanced degree preferred
• Fifteen or more years of progressive technology leadership experience, including responsibility for multiple technology disciplines and senior leaders
• Experience within financial services, banking, insurance, fintech, or another highly regulated industry
• Strong understanding of modern software engineering practices, cloud technologies, enterprise architecture, operational resiliency, cybersecurity principles, and data governance
• Experience developing technology strategies, operating models, investment plans, and measurable execution roadmaps
• Proven success leading large-scale technology transformations and organizational modernization initiatives
• Strong financial acumen, including budgeting, vendor management, and technology investment prioritization

KEY PERSONAL ATTRIBUTES

• Strategic and enterprise-minded leader with strong business acumen
• Highly collaborative with exceptional communication and relationship-building skills
• Technically credible with the ability to engage deeply with both business and technology stakeholders
• Calm, decisive leader who performs effectively during periods of ambiguity and organizational change
• Strong judgment and risk awareness within regulated environments
• Passion for developing talent and building high-performing teams
• Naturally curious with a commitment to continuous improvement and innovation
• High integrity and accountability with a strong sense of ownership and stewardship

THE PAYOFF

• Shape and lead the future technology strategy of a respected financial services organization
• Influence enterprise-wide modernization initiatives and strategic investments
• Partner closely with executive leadership on high-impact business and technology decisions
• Lead a talented team while building next-generation technology capabilities
• Drive meaningful improvements in resilience, operational effectiveness, data capabilities, and organizational agility
• Join a values-driven organization committed to innovation, collaboration, and long-term success

OTHER INFORMATION

This role is based in Cincinnati; preferred out of town candidates will be offered relocation assistance. The organization offers a hybrid working environment.