Chief Technology Officer

National 4-H Council

7h•Remote

About The Position

Are you motivated by the opportunity to shape the technological future of one of the nation’s most impactful youth development organizations? Do you thrive at the intersection of innovation, strategy, and mission driven work where technology becomes a catalyst for scale, equity, and transformation? National 4-H Council is seeking a visionary Chief Technology Officer to lead the enterprise technology strategy and digital evolution that will power Cooperative Extension and 4-H into its next era of growth and impact. At National 4-H Council, we empower nearly 6 million young people each year to become confident leaders who are ready for life and work. As the nation’s largest youth development organization, we prepare young people to be Beyond Ready through hands-on learning experiences in STEM, Agriculture, Healthy Living, and Civic Engagement. As the Chief Technology Officer, you will serve at the highest level of organizational leadership, shaping how technology, data, and digital platforms enable and accelerate the 4-H mission nationwide. You will lead the vision and execution of enterprise systems, cybersecurity, data strategy, AI enablement, and digital experiences that support a distributed network of 3,500 educators and engage 35 million 4-H alumni. You will steward National 4-H Council’s technology foundation while also advancing modern, scalable solutions that strengthen how young people learn, connect, and grow. As a member of the Executive Team, you will advise the CEO and Board, ensuring technology investments are aligned to mission priorities, operational excellence, and long term organizational sustainability. Join us in building the digital backbone of a movement that is preparing the next generation to be Beyond Ready for the future. #4HBeyondReady

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in computer science, information systems, engineering, or a related field, or equivalent experience required; advanced degree preferred
15+ years of progressive technology leadership experience, including senior enterprise roles such as CTO, CIO, SVP of Technology, or equivalent leadership positions with organization-wide scope and accountability
Experience leading enterprise technology strategy, infrastructure, and applications in a complex organization
Strong background in cloud architecture, enterprise systems, and cybersecurity
Experience with technology governance, portfolio management, and prioritization
Demonstrated ability to align technology investments with business outcomes
Experience working with executive teams and Boards on technology strategy and risk
Track record of leading innovation initiatives with practical execution
Experience in nonprofit, public sector, or enterprise services environments preferred
Enterprise technology leader with strong strategic and operational orientation
Balances innovation with reliability, security, and execution discipline
Communicates complex technology concepts in clear, practical terms
Builds strong relationships across technical and non-technical stakeholders
Drives collaboration and shared accountability across functions
Strong team leader who develops talent and builds trust

Responsibilities

Lead end-to-end technology strategy aligned to mission outcomes and organizational growth priorities
Develop and execute a clear technology roadmap across run, improve, and transform horizons
Align technology investments with enterprise priorities, ensuring focus on highest-value outcomes
Partner with executive leadership to integrate technology into strategic and operational planning
Translate emerging technologies into practical, mission-aligned use cases
Establish clear enterprise ownership, product and platform accountability, and decision rights
Lead technology governance, portfolio management, and prioritization processes
Ensure disciplined investment decisions with clear tradeoffs, value realization, and accountability
Provide transparent reporting on technology performance, risks, and outcomes
Ensure reliable, scalable, and secure infrastructure supporting a remote-first, distributed organization
Oversee enterprise applications, platforms, and integrations to enable effective operations
Provide architectural leadership across cloud, data, and application environments
Drive modernization of legacy systems and adoption of scalable, cloud-based solutions
Lead enterprise cybersecurity strategy, risk mitigation, and compliance
Ensure strong protection of organizational data, systems, and digital assets
Establish and maintain security policies, standards, and incident response capabilities
Partner with executive leadership to manage technology-related risks and business continuity
Improve how technology supports storytelling, engagement, and mission delivery
Drive adoption and effective use of technology platforms across internal teams and external partners
Advance data strategy, data architecture and governance, data quality, and data platforms in alignment with Cooperative Extension
Lead innovation in automation, artificial intelligence, and digital tools with pragmatic execution
Lead AI strategy, prioritization, and responsible deployment
Identify and scale practical AI use cases
Establish governance and responsible AI practices; advanced analytics and insights generation
Build data and AI capabilities within technology team
Build strong relationships with Cooperative Extension stakeholders and other end-users
Develop deep understanding of user needs to improve technology adoption and value delivery
Ensure technology solutions are practical, usable, and aligned with field realities
Represent the organization externally on technology partnerships and initiatives
Serve as a trusted advisor to the CEO and Board on technology strategy, risk, and investment decisions
Present clear options, tradeoffs, and implications to support informed decision making
Provide transparency into cybersecurity posture, system performance, and innovation progress
Strengthen governance and oversight of technology investments and risks
Lead, coach, and develop a high-performing technology and data team
Build internal capability while leveraging external partners where appropriate
Foster a culture of service, stewardship, and continuous improvement
Drive cross-functional collaboration across Finance & Business Operations, People & Culture, Development & Marketing, Stakeholder Relations business units
Operate as a collaborative enterprise leader with shared accountability for organizational outcomes