Chief Technology Officer

State of Montana
Helena, MT, United States
about 1 month ago

Role details

Contract type
Permanent contract
Employment type
Full-time (> 32 hours)
Experience level
Expert
Experience required
3 years minimum
Compensation
$120,000.0 - $125,000.0
Working hours
Regular working hours
Job source

Tech stack

Artificial Intelligence Architectural Patterns Software Engineering Information Technology

Job description

The Chief Technology Officer (CTO) provides enterprise-wide technology leadership for the State of Montana, setting strategic direction for enterprise architecture and application development in alignment with statewide IT transformation goals. The CTO owns the “how” of technology delivery for the enterprise, including the architectural patterns, technical standards, development methodologies, platform selections, integration models, and quality and security requirements that govern how solutions are designed and built across state government. This role leads and develops the leaders of each functional team, holds them accountable for outcomes, and removes barriers to execution rather than directing day-to-day technical work. Embracing artificial intelligence is a core expectation of this position. The CTO is expected to lead an AI-forward technology organization, personally using AI to accelerate architectural analysis, technology evaluation, code and design review, and managerial decision making. The CTO drives the adoption of AI-enabled architecture, development, and testing tooling across the Office of Technology Development, sets the expectation that engineering and architecture teams integrate AI into daily practice, and ensures all adoption aligns with statewide AI governance, security, and policy standards. The CTO also partners with the Office of AI to ensure enterprise architecture and engineering practices are positioned to deliver AI-enabled solutions at scale. As the primary technology leader for SITSD, the CTO partners with the Deputy CIO, State CIO, fellow Chief Officers, agency CIOs, and the Integration Transition Team to ensure Montana’s technology investments are sound, sustainable, and mission aligned. Working closely with the Chief Product Officer, who owns the “what” and “why,” the CTO ensures the “how” is technically executable and architecturally coherent. Working closely with the Chief Enterprise Service Delivery Officer, the CTO ensures those decisions are operationally supportable. This position reports to the Deputy CIO for Core IT Services., * Only online applications are accepted. By applying online, you are able to receive updates and monitor the status of your application.

  • The Department of Administration participates in E-Verify to confirm employment eligibility. After accepting a job offer and completing form I-9, your information will be submitted to the Department of Homeland Security and Social Security Administration for verification. For more information about E-Verify, please visit the E-Verify website found here, https://www.e-verify.gov/.

Applicant Pool Statement: If another department vacancy occurs in this job title within six months, the same applicant pool may be used for the selection. Training Assignment: Not Applicable

Requirements

Do you have experience in Technology management?, Do you have a Master’s degree?, * A Bachelor’s degree in Information Technology, Business, Computer Science, Engineering, or a related field

  • Seven years of progressively responsible experience in enterprise technology leadership, including at least three years in an executive or senior leadership role overseeing technology teams and functions.
  • Preferred:

o Master’s degree in Information Technology, Business Administration, Public Administration, or a related field.

o Experience in state or local government IT or product leadership.

o Experience leading product or technology organizations through large-scale transformation in a complex, multi-stakeholder environment.

Competencies:

Required knowledge, skills, and abilities:

  • Ability to lead large-scale organizational change efforts with measurable outcomes.
  • Ability to translate strategy into practical implementation.
  • Proven ability to lead leaders; setting direction, delegating effectively, and holding team managers accountable for outcomes.
  • Experience building and sustaining high-performing teams through clear expectations, coaching, and a culture of accountability and continuous improvement.
  • Ability to translate enterprise strategy into clear direction and measurable outcomes across multiple functional teams.
  • Experience aligning diverse stakeholders; across agencies, executive leadership, and technical teams; around shared technology goals.
  • Ability to engage, challenge, and advise senior leaders on complex technology decisions with significant organizational impact.

Benefits & conditions

Pulled from the full job description

  • Loan forgiveness
  • Health insurance
  • Retirement plan
  • Paid holidays, Telework Eligibility: Telework Eligible (Full-time telework is not available. Telework schedule must be supervisor approved.)

About the company

  • Helena is surrounded by rolling hills and lofty mountains and is tucked below the Continental Divide.
  • It is a relatively quiet place to call home where small-town living collides with outdoor adventure.
  • Helena has a rich history and was originally founded as a gold camp during the Montana gold rush.
  • Learn more about moving to and/or living in Helena, Montana here.

Why should you keep reading and consider working here?

We know you have other work options, but we ask you to consider working with us at the State of Montana Department of Administration in the State Information Technology Services Division (SITSD). Our mission is to provide shared IT services to support the needs of the state and citizens of Montana. We offer an innovative and collaborative work environment where employees are valued and supported. In addition, our employees have the opportunity to be involved in some of the most exciting and innovative IT projects and initiatives in development within Montana state government. (You can learn more about SITSD here.)

What is this career opportunity?

Apply for this position

This job is hosted externally. Click below to view the full posting and apply.

Apply on indeed.com

Good distractions

Talks and stories from around this role — technically off-topic, practically not.

1:22 min

Understanding software engineering as more than just coding

Lilia Gargouri Lilia Gargouri · WWC Europe 2026

1:32 min

Identifying common architectural patterns in digital asset management

Lucille Tachet Lucille Tachet · WWC 2024

42 sec

Energy forecasts and resource demands of information technology

Marjolein Pordon · LIVE

1:35 min

The evolving role of the chief technology officer

Eric Bowman Eric Bowman · WWC Europe 2026

2:46 min

Missing equipment retrieval processes for departing employees

Jasmin Azemović Jasmin Azemović · WWC Europe 2026

2:08 min

Introducing beneficial architectural patterns like event sourcing

Stefan Priebsch · WWC 2021

Videos

See all

Related articles

See all