Chief Information Officer (CIO)

Part-Time Chief Information Officer (CIO)The Part-Time CIO provides executive leadership, strategic direction, and technical expertise to evaluate, modernize, and strengthen METRO's information technology environment. This role conducts comprehensive assessments of infrastructure, systems, cybersecurity practices, operations, and policies, and develops a multi-year technology roadmap that aligns with organizational and transit-specific needs. The position is on-site 24–29 hours per week and may transition into a full-time CIO role based on organizational needs and performance. This role reports to the CFO.Department: FinanceClassification: ExemptSafety Sensitive: NoReporting Relationships:Reports to: Chief Financial OfficerDirect Reports Currently 3 - 1 IT Manager and 2 Data TechniciansExamples of DutiesKey Objectives:Assess METRO's current technology infrastructure, systems, cybersecurity posture, IT operations, and organizational structure.Identify opportunities to improve reliability, efficiency, security, and system performance.Create a 3–5-year IT Strategic Plan aligned with METRO's business and transit goals.Establish governance practices, technology standards, and sustainable IT policies.Provide executive-level guidance, recommendations, and decision support to leadership.Essential Responsibilities:Technology & Cybersecurity Assessment:Conduct comprehensive evaluation of infrastructure, cloud environments, hardware lifecycle, enterprise systems, integrations, data management, telecommunications, end-user computing, disaster recovery, and business continuity.Assess cybersecurity policies, identity and access management, MFA, endpoint protection, firewalls, network security, vulnerability management, training, incident response, regulatory compliance, and cyber-insurance readiness.Produce Current State and Cybersecurity Assessment reports with prioritized risk-reduction recommendations.Strategic Planning & Governance:Develop a multi-year Technology Strategic Plan, including major initiatives, capital investment needs, lifecycle planning, digital transformation opportunities, innovation strategies, resource planning, and budget forecasts.Establish IT governance processes, technology standards, and updated policies (security, acceptable use, DR/BC, change management, retention, etc.).Advise executive leadership and participate in organizational strategic planning.Operational & Organizational Review:Evaluate IT staffing structure, roles, workflows, help desk processes, service delivery, procurement practices, vendor oversight, asset management, and documentation standards.Recommend operational improvements, organizational alignment, and process efficiencies.Project Oversight & Transit Technology Leadership:Provide oversight for major technology initiatives including infrastructure upgrades, software implementations, ERP improvements, ITS and vehicle technologies, fare collection systems, and grant-funded technology projects.Ensure alignment with transit operations, customer-facing systems, and mobility technologies.Vendor & Financial Management:Review and optimize technology contracts, vendor performance, SLAs, procurement specifications, negotiations, and purchasing strategies.Support development of technology operating budgets, capital plans, replacement schedules, cost-benefit analyses, ROI evaluations, and grant funding opportunities.Transition Planning:Provide recommendations on future IT organizational structure, staffing needs, skill gaps, succession planning, and transition of CIO duties from part-time to full-time.Deliverables:Current State Technology AssessmentCybersecurity Assessment and Risk ReportIT Strategic Roadmap (3–5 years)Technology Improvement PlanCapital Investment and Budget RecommendationsUpdated IT Policies and StandardsQuarterly Executive Progress ReportsPresentations to Executive Leadership and Board of Trustees (as requested)Expected Outcomes:Improved IT governance, enhanced cybersecurity, modernized infrastructure, greater efficiency, reduced technology risk, better system reliability, stronger organizational alignment, and a sustainable roadmap for METRO's future technology growth.Typical QualificationsQualifications:Executive-level IT leadership experience as CIO or comparable senior IT roleUndergraduate degree in MIS, Computer Science, or Information Technology and 10-12 years of experienceExperience with public sector or transportation organizations preferredKnowledge of cybersecurity frameworks (NIST, CIS, CIS Controls)Experience with cloud technologies, enterprise infrastructure, and digital modernizationStrong background in budget development, capital planning, vendor management, procurementExcellent communication and executive presentation skillsProficient in data analyticsSupplemental InformationCore Values:Teamwork:Demonstrating teamwork in and across departments.Treating everyone with respect.Recognize that the team is greater; much more than the collection of individual efforts.Safety:Ensuring the safety of everyone.Believing that every accident can be prevented.Having a constant eye to safety in all aspects.People Centric:Celebrating individual differencesTreating everyone fairlyValuing everyone: co-workers, customers, each other, stakeholders.Service Excellence:Providing the best customer service to everyone, both externally and internally.Routinely exceeding expectations.Serving our customers and each other.Integrity:Always demonstrating honesty, trust, character and fairness without compromising the truth.Showing high regard for civility, fairness and human dignity.Having the courage to do the right thing.Action Ready:Sharing one goal, one missionKeeping commitmentsGiving more than is expected, willingly, without hesitation and without directionWhen applying, please provide any previous employer's contact information for up to the past 12 years.METRO rewards its team members by supplying an exceptional benefits package that delivers quality and value while satisfying the diverse needs of our workforce. METRO provides or offers the following:Competitive compensation, awarded according to job description and experience or according to union contract.Generous benefits including Medical, RX, Dental, vision, AD&D, Life Insurance provided at one low cost premium. METRO also offers a very low deductible, out-of-pocket maximum, and co-insurance for both individual and family coverage.Contribution towards gym or other exercise program.Discounts on various items, such as phones and computers.Paid holidays, personal days, and vacation.Ohio Public Employees Retirement System (OPERS) and picks-up 3% of your required contribution.A voluntary Deferred Compensation programAn Employee Assistance programAn Educational Reimbursement program