Chief Information Officer

The Chief Information Officer (CIO) provides visionary technology leadership and strategic direction for the Town of South Windsor’s information technology programs. This role oversees town-wide IT, Geographic Information Systems (GIS), cybersecurity, telecommunications support, and digital initiatives to enhance operational efficiency, improve service delivery to residents and businesses, and support effective governance in a rapidly evolving public sector environment. The CIO serves as the Town’s Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) and leads a dedicated team. The position reports directly to the Town Manager and serves as a key member of the Town’s senior leadership team., Develop, implement, and continually update a comprehensive IT Strategic Plan aligned with the Town’s goals, including digital transformation, cloud adoption, data analytics, and emerging technologies.

Provide overall leadership and direction for all town-wide information technology, network infrastructure, GIS, cybersecurity, enterprise applications, and user support services.

Act as Chief Information Security Officer (CISO): Develop and maintain robust cybersecurity programs, risk management, incident response, and security awareness training. Ensure compliance with all applicable state and federal regulations, including the FBI CJIS Security Policy, while applying industry best practices. Oversee safeguards for Criminal Justice Information (CJI), coordinate with the Police Department’s Terminal Agency Coordinator (TAC) and Local Agency Security Officer (LASO) as needed, ensure vendor compliance, and support successful CJIS audits.

Lead, mentor, and develop the IT team; foster a high-performance, collaborative, and service-oriented culture while managing technical and organizational change.

Manage the IT operating budget and capital improvement program requests, ensuring cost-effective use of resources, pursuit of grant opportunities, and transparent financial reporting.

Collaborate closely with the Town Manager, department heads, and elected officials to identify technology solutions that streamline operations (e.g., permitting, public safety systems, online services, and record-keeping).

Oversee the planning, procurement, implementation, and maintenance of enterprise systems, networks, hardware, software, and telecommunications infrastructure.

Develop and maintain enterprise-wide business continuity/disaster recovery plans to ensure rapid restoration of critical IT services.

Establish and enforce IT policies, standards, and procedures for data governance, security, privacy, and acceptable use.

Evaluate and recommend technology investments; review all major IT acquisitions, contracts, and vendor relationships.

Promote digital equity, accessibility, and excellent resident experience through modern online services and tools.

Represent the Town in regional IT collaborations, professional organizations, and with external vendors/partners.

Communicate effectively with stakeholders at all levels regarding IT plans, projects, risks, and technology trends.

Stay current with industry best practices, emerging technologies, and evolving threats; evaluate their potential value and recommend adoption where appropriate to advance the Town’s technology maturity.

ADDITIONAL JOB FUNCTIONS

Perform other duties as assigned by the Town Manager.

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