Chief Technology Officer

State of Oklahoma•Albuquerque, NM

3d•$218,000•Onsite

About The Position

Position Summary The Teachers’ Retirement System of Oklahoma seeks a visionary and experienced technology executive to serve as its Chief Technology Officer (CTO). This position provides strategic direction for all information technology assets, enterprise systems, cybersecurity posture, and digital transformation initiatives across the agency. The CTO reports directly to the Executive Director and serves as a member of the executive leadership team, advising on technology policy, information technology needs and budgeting, and innovation opportunities in the investment, finance, legal and operations departments that advance the agency's mission and improve services to the public. The CTO will also serve as the technology executive for an ongoing multi-year pension administration system modernization project. Agency Overview Profile of System The Teachers’ Retirement System began operations on July 1, 1943. The System is managed by a 15 member Board of Trustees for the purpose of providing retirement allowances and other benefits to public education employees in the common schools, career technology centers, colleges and universities, and other local and state educational agencies of the state of Oklahoma. The mission of the System is “We collect, protect, and grow assets to provide a secure retirement income for public education employees.” The System also strives to provide outstanding customer service to all our active and retired members. All services provided by the staff are performed to meet these objectives. The Board of Trustees employs the Executive Director who serves as the chief administrative officer who is responsible for the general administration of the System. The System operates according to an administrative budget approved annually by the Board. Although revenue is not appropriated from the state’s General Revenue Fund, the budget is submitted to the Legislature as part of the Governor’s recommended budget. The System operates under the same budgetary controls that apply to all state agencies. Major Initiatives Communication - Our relationship with our members begins when they first enter the education profession and extends through their retirement. We are continually looking for avenues to serve as a resource and communicate the benefits of our System with our membership throughout their careers. We are also working to serve as a knowledgeable resource for all external stakeholders of our System. Digital Transformation and Cybersecurity - In recent years, TRS has developed updated processes and continues to improve upon technological advances giving our members better access to their membership information while maintaining security. We recently celebrated the launch on MyTRS, our new and improved Member Portal – providing members on demand access to their retirement account information and offering self-service options and resources for both active and retired members. We are currently engaged in a multi-year project to modernize our pension administration system which includes improving functionality of our administration, employer, and member portals while also enhancing security of each portal. Organizational and Operational Strength - In conjunction with the modernization of our pension administration system, we are looking for ways to streamline our operations and increase efficiencies among staff. We pride ourselves in offering a collaborative and enjoyable working environment for our staff – who administer the System with high efficiency – while maintaining a high level of customer service. In addition, we are focusing our efforts on employee retention, succession planning and business continuity.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, Information Systems, or a closely related field. (A master's degree is preferred.)
Six (6) or more years of progressively responsible IT leadership experience, including at least three (3) years in a senior or executive-level role managing large-scale technology programs.
Demonstrated experience leading enterprise IT strategy, infrastructure, cybersecurity, and digital transformation in a complex organization.
Experience managing significant IT budgets and overseeing major system implementations or modernization projects.
Proven track record of building and leading diverse, high-performing technology teams.
OR an equivalent combination of education and experience, substituting one additional year of education (master’s degree or doctorate) for one year of experience.
NOTE: A maximum of two (2) years of education can be substituted for the three (3) years relevant professional experience.
NOTE: No substitution will be allowed for the required professional experience in a supervisory or administrative capacity.

Nice To Haves

Experience with pension or benefits administration systems.
Experience in state or local government IT operations or public-sector technology leadership.
Relevant professional certifications such as CISSP, CISM, PMP, ITIL, AWS/Azure Solutions Architect, or equivalent.
Familiarity with state IT governance structures, legislative appropriations processes, and interagency technology standards.
Experience with enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems, case management platforms, or public-safety technology environments.