CIO Search

Vaco is hiring a Chief Information Officer (CIO) in Lombard, IL.

Location: Lombard, IL (Chicago Area) | On-Site

About the Opportunity

A leading transportation and mobility services organization is seeking a visionary and operationally focused Chief Information Officer (CIO) to lead enterprise-wide technology strategy, digital transformation, cybersecurity, and IT operations.

Supporting a large-scale network of transportation services across hundreds of locations nationwide, this organization operates in a highly distributed, mission-critical environment where technology plays a central role in safety, service delivery, workforce productivity, and customer experience.

Reporting directly to the Chief Executive Officer and serving as a member of the Executive Leadership Team, the CIO will be responsible for shaping the future technology landscape while ensuring operational excellence across all information technology functions. This executive will serve as a trusted business partner, driving innovation, modernization, and enterprise performance through strategic technology investment and disciplined execution.

Position Overview

The Chief Information Officer is responsible for developing and executing a comprehensive technology and digital strategy that supports business growth, operational efficiency, safety, and customer satisfaction.

This leader will oversee all aspects of information technology, including enterprise applications, infrastructure, cybersecurity, data and analytics, field support services, project management, innovation, and vendor management. Success in this role requires a highly collaborative executive who combines strategic vision with hands-on leadership and a strong operational mindset.

The ideal candidate will have experience leading technology organizations in complex, geographically dispersed environments where reliability, scalability, and service excellence are essential.

Key Responsibilities

Technology Strategy & Digital Transformation

• Define and execute a long-term technology roadmap aligned with business objectives and customer expectations.


• Lead enterprise-wide digital transformation initiatives that improve operational efficiency, safety, workforce effectiveness, and customer outcomes.


• Identify emerging technologies and innovation opportunities that create measurable business value.


• Serve as a strategic advisor to executive leadership on technology trends, risks, investments, and modernization priorities.


• Foster a culture that embraces innovation, continuous improvement, and digital adoption.

IT Operations & Service Excellence

• Ensure the reliability, availability, and performance of technology systems supporting a large national operating network.


• Oversee IT service delivery and support functions, ensuring responsive and effective support for a 24/7 operational environment.


• Establish strong governance, service management disciplines, and performance metrics across the technology organization.


• Maintain operational continuity through resilient infrastructure, disaster recovery, and business continuity planning.


• Drive technology standardization and process optimization across multiple business locations.

Enterprise Applications & Data Strategy

• Lead the strategy, optimization, and governance of enterprise technology platforms supporting operations, finance, human resources, scheduling, maintenance, safety, and customer-facing functions.


• Modernize legacy applications and streamline the overall technology architecture.


• Expand data analytics and reporting capabilities to support informed business decisions and operational performance.


• Promote the use of advanced analytics and business intelligence tools across the organization.


• Establish a strong data governance framework to ensure quality, consistency, accessibility, and security of enterprise data.

Cybersecurity & Risk Management

• Develop and maintain a comprehensive cybersecurity strategy that protects critical systems, data, and operational assets.


• Strengthen security governance, risk management, and compliance capabilities.


• Oversee incident response, disaster recovery, and business continuity programs.


• Ensure technology practices meet applicable regulatory, legal, and industry requirements.


• Create a culture of security awareness and accountability throughout the organization.

Leadership & Talent Development

• Build and lead a high-performing technology organization focused on collaboration, innovation, and results.


• Recruit, develop, and retain top technology talent.


• Partner closely with operational and corporate leaders to align technology solutions with business needs.


• Lead organizational change efforts that support successful technology adoption and business transformation.


• Encourage a customer-focused mindset and culture of accountability across the IT function.

Financial, Vendor & Portfolio Management

• Manage technology budgets, capital investments, and resource allocation to maximize business value.


• Identify opportunities for cost optimization while maintaining high service levels.


• Oversee strategic technology vendors, contract negotiations, and supplier performance.


• Manage the enterprise technology project portfolio, ensuring prioritization, governance, and successful delivery.


• Establish clear ROI measures for technology investments and transformation initiatives.

Qualifications

Required Experience

• Executive-level technology leadership experience in a large, distributed, operationally intensive organization.


• Demonstrated success leading enterprise technology modernization and digital transformation programs.


• Significant experience managing mission-critical systems within complex, customer-facing operating environments.


• Proven track record of building high-performing teams and developing strong leadership benches.


• Strong business acumen with experience managing large budgets, strategic technology investments, and vendor ecosystems.


• Ability to influence senior stakeholders and lead effectively within a matrixed organizational structure.

Preferred Experience

• Background in transportation, logistics, infrastructure, industrial services, utilities, field services, or similarly complex industries.


• Experience operating within multinational or globally integrated organizations.


• Familiarity with public-sector environments, regulatory compliance requirements, or transportation technologies.


• Experience overseeing cloud transformation, enterprise application modernization, and advanced analytics initiatives.

Leadership Profile

The successful candidate will demonstrate:

• Strategic thinking combined with disciplined execution.


• Strong business partnership and stakeholder management skills.


• Excellent communication and influencing capabilities.


• A pragmatic, hands-on leadership style.


• Strong operational awareness and customer focus.


• The ability to lead through change and transformation.


• High integrity, humility, accountability, and commitment to organizational success.