EVP, Chief Information Technology Officer

Lake Trust Credit Union•Brighton, MI

About The Position

The Chief Information Technology Officer is an executive leadership role responsible for advancing Lake Trust’s technology strategy, innovation, and solutions with an unconditional focus on members. The CITO leads innovative development as well as internal IT infrastructure and operations, aligning technology with business strategy and the changing, increasingly digital financial-services environment. The role serves on the credit union’s Leadership Team and contributes to its strategic direction, partnering proactively with business leaders while remaining willing to engage in operational detail when needed. The CITO provides executive oversight across IT infrastructure, networking, cloud technologies, cybersecurity, enterprise systems, telecommunications, application support, service delivery, and technical operations. The position leads agile development, software delivery, enterprise analytics, business intelligence, automation, and digital transformation, while establishing governance and resilience practices that balance innovation, risk, compliance, and financial stewardship. The CITO also manages technology budgets and vendor relationships, develops technology leaders and teams, and presents strategies, risks, priorities, and performance metrics to executive leadership and the Board of Directors.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree.
At least 15 years of experience leading technology innovation in organizations of scale.
Experience supporting a Microsoft environment.
Expert skill in managing vendor relationships to maximize return on investment and foster long-term working relationships.
Knowledge of industry standards, technologies, and operational norms, particularly hosted core system operations.
Comprehensive understanding of information services principles, theories, and concepts.
Success creating and communicating a long-term vision or strategy and defining practical incremental steps to achieve it.
Ability to identify opportunities to use existing and emerging technologies to maximize effectiveness and profitability.
Demonstrated leadership impact in building leadership teams, influencing without direct supervisory relationships, and delivering senior-level and Board-level presentations.
Ability to analyze, interpret, and synthesize data and translate findings into actionable information.
Collaborative decision-making ability and success building partnerships across organizational boundaries at senior and operational levels.
Strong process and analytical skills, excellent interpersonal and communication skills, and ability to collaborate with varied stakeholders.
Aptitude for analytics and reporting.
Extensive leadership experience and a strong personal presence.
Ability to communicate an inspiring vision and translate it into a practical, results-focused action plan.
Ability to lead initiatives while leveraging and respecting constituencies such as Operations, Marketing, Finance, Human Resources, and Corporate Leadership.
Ability to lead through influence and strength of character without relying on a command-and-control structure.
Outstanding influencing and negotiating capability, with sensitivity when working within and through teams.
Open and flexible approach to change and ability to serve as a change agent.
Strong strategic thinking, including ability to formulate long-term digital strategies while accounting for tactical and operational realities.
High competency in process and performance management, resource and project management, and delivering goals within available resources and timelines.
Ability to set clear, measurable objectives, delegate responsibility, differentiate performance, recognize outstanding performance, and address low performance.

Nice To Haves

An MBA is highly preferred.

Responsibilities

Develop and execute an enterprise technology strategy aligned with Lake Trust’s compass, strategic priorities, and long-term growth objectives.
Provide executive oversight for IT infrastructure, networking, cloud technologies, cybersecurity, enterprise systems, telecommunications, application support, service delivery, and technical operations.
Lead enterprise agile development practices and delivery of scalable, secure, member-focused technology solutions.
Establish high-performing agile teams focused on innovation, continuous improvement, collaboration, accountability, and operational excellence.
Direct the software development lifecycle, including planning, prioritization, design, development, testing, implementation, release management, and ongoing optimization.
Lead business intelligence and data strategy, including enterprise reporting, analytics, dashboards, data governance, and development of actionable insights.
Partner with executive leadership to use data, analytics, automation, and emerging technologies to improve decision-making, operations, and member experience.
Drive digital transformation initiatives that improve scalability, efficiency, service delivery, and competitive positioning.
Establish technology governance frameworks, operational standards, and investment priorities that balance innovation, risk management, compliance, and financial stewardship.
Ensure the integrity, security, reliability, and availability of organizational systems and data through cybersecurity and risk management practices.
Oversee disaster recovery, business continuity, cybersecurity incident response, and enterprise technology resilience planning.
Ensure IT contributes early and effectively to enterprise projects by providing technical expertise, identifying risks and dependencies, aligning solutions with architecture and security standards, and supporting practical decisions.
Maintain compliance with applicable regulatory requirements, audit standards, and industry best practices for IT and information security.
Serve as executive liaison with IT teams of CUSO partnerships and use industry collaboration to drive innovation, optimize investments, and strengthen Lake Trust’s competitive position.
Maintain knowledge of CUSO platforms, cybersecurity practices, and technology roadmaps to support integration, architectural alignment, asset protection, and secure, scalable solutions.
Develop and manage technology budgets, vendor relationships, contract negotiations, and technology investment planning.
Build partnerships across business functions to align technology solutions with organizational needs and strategic objectives.
Lead, coach, and develop technology leaders and team members through succession planning, performance management, mentoring, and professional development.
Present technology strategies, risks, priorities, and performance metrics to executive leadership and the Board of Directors.
Evaluate emerging technologies, industry trends, and innovation opportunities.
Represent Lake Trust on community and industry-related initiatives and boards.