Chief Information Officer

State of Maryland•Baltimore City, MD

1d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Chief Information Officer (CIO) is a pivotal leadership role responsible for the comprehensive management and strategic oversight of MSDE's Office of Information Technology (OIT) operations. This includes maintaining a robust network infrastructure, cybersecurity standards, and optimizing the accessibility of all digital products and services. The CIO will lead the OIT department to deliver secure, reliable, efficient, and cost-saving technology solutions to support the organization’s goals and enhance user experience. Key responsibilities encompass overseeing IT project management, ensuring all projects are delivered on time, within scope, and within budget. Some of the primary job functions of the CIO include: Ensuring rigorous data privacy protocols and maintain compliance with both federal and state regulations; Collaborating with State of Maryland's Department of Information Technology (DoIT) and local school districts to support state initiatives and provide guidance on cybersecurity and data privacy; Conducting and coordinating legislative analysis to anticipate and prepare for changes in the regulatory landscape that may impact the organization’s IT policies and procedures and developing and implementing strategies to safeguard the organization’s digital assets against cyber threats and ensure that all digital products meet accessibility standards. The CIO will also play a crucial role in fostering a culture of continuous improvement within the IT department. They will develop and maintain an IT governance framework to align IT strategy with business objectives, ensuring transparency, accountability, and efficiency in IT operations. The ideal candidate must possess extensive experience in managing large-scale IT operations, in-depth understanding of network infrastructure, and a proven track record in cybersecurity and compliance management. Strong leadership and management skills, strategic thinking/systems thinker, backed by the ability to navigate complex regulatory environments are essential for success in this role.

Requirements

Master's degree from an accredited college or university
12 years of progressive management and supervisory experience.
Experience with procurement, budgeting, cybersecurity compliance, legislation analysis, IT management, resource planning, and project management.
Applicants must consent to State and FBI (CJIS) background check as a routine procedure for all employees.

Responsibilities

Plan, organize, and direct the work of the Office of Information Technology (OIT) staff, providing leadership in the development and implementation of a department-wide information technology (IT) plan that is aligned with the Maryland State Department of Education’s (MSDE) strategic plan and is consistent with Statewide directives and initiatives.
Responsibility for all aspects of MSDE’s IT systems, including planning, developing, directing, coordinating, and maintaining instructional and administrative IT systems.
Collaborate with members of the Executive Team to assess their Divisional IT requirements and allocate the necessary resources to assist each Division in accomplishing its critical mission.
Direct the development and implementation of Department-wide information technology policies, legislation, and compliance initiatives for the Maryland State Department of Education and coordinate with the Department’s Information Technology Steering Committees and the local school districts.
Provide leadership in developing Department-wide standards for all phases of information technology and project management and provide direction to Divisions/Offices on technology issues involving upgrading systems and equipment, integrating existing systems with new systems, inter-divisional coordination, and procurement of technology-related equipment and services.
Effectively manages the IT staff and motivates employees to work toward Departmental goals and objectives.
Ensure equitable application of MSDE policies and procedures and promptly resolve problems, encourage teamwork and innovation, provide appropriate staff development, and conduct timely performance evaluations.