Chief Information Officer

Chief Information Officer (CIO)

The South Florida Regional Transportation Authority (SFRTA), operator of Tri-Rail, is seeking an experienced and forward-thinking Chief Information Officer (CIO) to lead the agency's technology strategy and drive innovation across a mission-critical transportation environment.

As a key member of the executive leadership team, the CIO will provide strategic direction for enterprise technology, cybersecurity, operational technology systems, telecommunications, cloud platforms, and business applications that support commuter rail operations, customer service, and organizational performance.

This is a rare opportunity to lead the technology strategy, cybersecurity posture, and digital transformation of one of South Florida's most visible public transportation agencies. As a member of the executive leadership team, the CIO will play a key role in shaping organizational strategy, modernizing critical technology systems, and driving innovation across a mission-critical commuter rail operation.

If you are a strategic technology leader who thrives on solving complex challenges, building high-performing teams, and delivering innovative technology solutions that make a visible impact on the communities you serve, we encourage you to apply.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

The Chief Information Officer (CIO) is responsible for providing strategic leadership, executive oversight, and operational direction for the Authority's technology environment. This role partners closely with executive leadership and operational departments to ensure technology systems, cybersecurity initiatives, and modernization efforts effectively support organizational objectives, service delivery, and long-term operational resiliency.

Strategic Leadership & Governance

• Enterprise Technology Strategy : Develop and execute an enterprise technology strategy aligned with organizational goals and operational priorities.
• Governance & Standards : Establish governance frameworks, technology standards, and planning processes that support accountability and effective decision-making.

IT & Operational Technology (OT) Oversight

• Enterprise Technology Oversight : Provide executive oversight and strategic direction for enterprise infrastructure, operational technology systems, cybersecurity platforms, telecommunications systems, cloud environments, and enterprise applications.
• Operational Reliability : Ensure technology systems supporting commuter rail operations, customer service, communications infrastructure, and business operations remain reliable and secure.

Cybersecurity & Risk Management

• Cybersecurity Leadership : Lead the Authority's cybersecurity strategy, governance, operational security initiatives, and enterprise technology risk management efforts.
• Cybersecurity Frameworks & Compliance : Establish and maintain cybersecurity policies, standards, and procedures aligned with recognized frameworks such as National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), Center for Internet Security (CIS) Controls, Transportation Security Administration (TSA), applicable regulatory requirements, and transportation-related operational environments.
• Disaster Recovery & Business Continuity : Oversee disaster recovery planning, business continuity efforts, and continuity-of-operations initiatives related to enterprise technology systems and operational technology environments.

Technology Modernization & Project Oversight

• Modernization Initiatives : Lead enterprise technology modernization initiatives, infrastructure upgrades, operational technology improvements, and multi-year technology roadmaps.
• Project Alignment, Prioritization & Implementation Oversight : Ensure technology projects and modernization efforts are strategically aligned, appropriately prioritized, and effectively executed through executive oversight of implementation activities and vendor coordination.

Budget & Procurement Oversight

• Budget Administration : Develop and manage Information Technology operating and capital budgets in alignment with organizational priorities.
• Procurement & Investment Oversight : Provide executive oversight of procurement activities, vendor evaluations, contract negotiations, and technology investment decisions.

Requirements & Competencies

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

Knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSAs) represent the competencies, technical expertise, leadership capabilities, and professional attributes necessary to effectively perform the essential duties and responsibilities of the position.

Knowledge of:

• Enterprise Technology Environments : Enterprise IT infrastructure, operational technology (OT) environments, cloud platforms, telecommunications systems, cybersecurity platforms, and enterprise applications supporting mission-critical operations.
• Governance & Strategic Planning : IT governance frameworks, enterprise technology planning, organizational technology standards, modernization strategies, and strategic technology alignment practices.
• Cybersecurity & Risk Management : Cybersecurity frameworks and standards, including the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), Center for Internet Security (CIS) Controls, Transportation Security Administration (TSA) requirements, operational security principles, enterprise risk management, vulnerability management, disaster recovery, business continuity, continuity-of-operations planning, and regulatory requirements applicable to transportation systems and operational technology environments.

Skills in:

• Technology Modernization & Infrastructure Planning : Technology modernization initiatives, infrastructure lifecycle planning, enterprise system implementation, and operational technology improvements.
• Executive Communication & Collaboration : Executive communication, stakeholder engagement, cross-functional collaboration, and the ability to translate complex technical concepts into operational and business-relevant information.

Ability to:

• Lead Mission-Critical Technology Operations : Lead enterprise technology operations within a lean, operationally intensive, mission-critical environment.
• Balance Strategic & Operational Responsibilities : Balance executive leadership responsibilities with operational engagement, implementation oversight, and organizational collaboration.
• Manage Multiple Priorities : Manage multiple organizational initiatives, operational demands, technology projects, and strategic priorities simultaneously within time-sensitive environments.
• Budget & Resource Management : Ability to develop, administer, and monitor operating and capital budgets; support resource allocation; and align technology investment decisions with organizational priorities.

TECHNOLOGY & SYSTEMS PROFICIENCY

• Enterprise Productivity & Collaboration Platforms : Familiarity with Microsoft 365 environments, enterprise collaboration tools, virtual meeting platforms, and cloud-based communication systems.
• Technology Infrastructure & Operational Environments : Familiarity with enterprise infrastructure environments, cloud-based platforms, cybersecurity tools, and operational technology systems supporting mission-critical operations.
• Enterprise Financial & Administrative Systems : Familiarity with budgeting, procurement, financial tracking, reporting, and enterprise administrative systems.

Experience & Education Requirements

Education

• Bachelor's Degree : Bachelor's degree in Information Technology, Computer Science, Information Systems, Cybersecurity, Business Administration (IT focus), or a related field.

Experience

• Enterprise Technology Leadership Experience : Minimum of seven (7) years of progressively responsible IT leadership experience, including recent experience overseeing enterprise systems, operational technology, cybersecurity, budget administration, vendor oversight, strategic planning, and staff leadership in complex operational environments
• Leadership & Organizational Oversight Experience : At least five (5) of those seven (7) years must include supervisory, management, or functional leadership responsibility, with demonstrated sustained responsibility for performance management, coaching, staffing, accountability, and oversight of technology personnel, enterprise initiatives, operational technology environments, infrastructure programs, vendor relationships, or technology operations.
• Enterprise Strategy & Governance Experience : Demonstrated experience developing and implementing enterprise technology strategies, governance structures, modernization initiatives, operational improvements, or technology transformation efforts.

• Equivalent Combination of Education & Experience : Any equivalent combination of education, training, and experience that provides the requisite knowledge, skills, and abilities for this position may be substituted.
• Education Substitution : An equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered, with one (1) year of relevant experience substituting for one (1) year of required education.

PREFERED QUALIFICATIONS

• Public Sector & Transportation Experience : Experience in public sector, transportation, transit, commuter rail, or other operationally complex environments.
• Operational & Safety-Critical Systems Experience : Experience supporting operational, mission-critical, or safety-critical systems, such as transit, rail, aviation, utilities, or similar environments.