Chief Information Officer

Our client is a large international construction union. Headquartered in Maryland, with over 140,000 members, they represent dozens of finishing trades. A member-driven organization, they are dedicated to social justice and improving the lives of every member, enabling them to live with dignity, stability, and security.

THE OPPORTUNITY

Our client seeks a Chief Information Officer. In a newly created strategic position, the CIO will play a pivotal role in shaping the future of this major labor organization, directly influencing how technology empowers thousands of members and advances the union’s mission. The role offers a dynamic mix of strategic planning, hands-on problem-solving, team leadership, and innovation—ideal for someone who enjoys diverse challenges, building strong teams and organizations.

This position reports to the General President and General Secretary-Treasurer, with a dotted line to the CFO, and has seven direct reports.

JOB DEFINITION

The Chief Information Officer will be responsible for providing strategic leadership and direction for all information technology initiatives, ensuring that technology effectively supports the union’s mission, operations, and member services. This role will oversee the development and implementation of IT strategies, manage the union’s digital infrastructure, and ensure the security and integrity of sensitive data. The CIO will collaborate closely with union leadership to align technology solutions with organizational goals, drive digital transformation, and lead the IT team in delivering efficient, innovative, and secure systems. Additionally, the CIO will be accountable for IT budgeting, policy development, compliance with relevant regulations, fostering a culture of continuous improvement and technological advancement within the union.

The ideal candidate will possess advanced technical expertise, strategic leadership ability, and a commitment to values and integrity.

SKILLS

The Chief Information Officer will play a critical role in ensuring that the union’s digital infrastructure supports secure, efficient, effective communication and data management.

• Develop and execute an information technology strategy that aligns with the organization’s mission and business objectives.
• Oversee and optimize all IT systems, infrastructure, and digital platforms to ensure they are secure, usable, and reliable.
• Oversee communication platforms, data management systems, cyber security and privacy, infrastructure maintenance and upgrades, vendor management, and compliance and reporting.
• Communicate IT strategy and initiativesto union leadership, staff, affiliates, and members, tailoring messaging to different stakeholders.
• Lead digital transformation initiatives, driving innovation and the adoption of new technologies to enhance member services, training, and organizational efficiency.
• Manage IT budgets, investments, and vendor relationships to ensure cost-effective solutions and mitigate risk.
• Ensure robust data governance, cybersecurity, and compliance with all relevant regulations.
• Implement and enforce IT policies and proceduresto ensure compliance and operational efficiency.
• Collaborate with executive leadership and department heads to identify technological needs and deliver solutions that support organizational growth and member engagement.
• Integrate technology into organizing, advocacy, and member support efforts.
• Embrace and drive change, recognizing that technology is key to the union’s future growth and relevance in the construction and finishing trades.

Leadership and Management:

• Supervise, mentor, and develop IT staff, providing leadership and fostering continuous learning and professional development.
• Develop a culture of trust, accountability, collaboration, continuous improvement, innovation, and adaptability.
• Lead with emotional intelligence and change management skills.
• Oversee IT training to ensure staff and members can effectively use new systems and tools.
• Identify gaps, redundancies, and opportunities for improvement to ensure the IT team is optimally structured.
• Conduct a systematic review of the current organizational setup, examining how the IT department is organized and whether its structure aligns with the union’s strategic goals and operational needs. This will involve mapping out the hierarchy, identifying all team functions, and clarifying the specific responsibilities assigned to each role.
• Benchmark current salaries and benefits against those of similar organizations to ensure the IT team is compensated in a way that attracts and retains top talent.

BACKGROUND EXPERIENCE

• 10+ years of progressive experience in information technology, including several years in senior leadership or management roles.
• Proven track record of managing IT teams and overseeing complex IT projects and infrastructure.
• Experience with technology planning, development, and implementation, especially in environments with sensitive data and high security needs.
• Familiarity with union operations, labor movement structures, or advocacy organizations is highly valued. Direct experience working in or with unions is a strong advantage.
• Extensive knowledge of IT systems and infrastructure, including networks, databases, cybersecurity, and cloud solutions.
• Experience with data management, analytics, and digital communication platforms relevant to union operations is a plus.
• Ability to evaluate and implement new technologies to support member engagement, organizing, and advocacy.
• Strong leadership and decision-making abilities; proven experience building and leading diverse teams.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, including the ability to explain complex technical concepts to non-technical stakeholders.

Education:

• A bachelor’s degreein computer science, information technology, engineering, or a related field is required.

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