Deputy Chief Information Officer

Sound Transit•Seattle, WA

1d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Deputy Chief Information Officer (DCIO) is a Deputy Executive Director in Sound Transit IT and reports to the CIO. This operational role establishes and oversees the CIO’s Team within Sound Transit IT, functions as an extension of the CIO, and builds strategic relationships with other Sound Transit departments and across IT. The DCIO is responsible for IT strategic planning and aligning IT’s long-term direction with enterprise goals. The role helps evolve the IT operating model, shapes workforce strategy, builds internal capabilities, and may oversee emerging or transitional functions until they are ready to scale or transition into formal structures. The DCIO oversees recurring cross-functional capabilities within the CIO team, including governance, performance management, and the IT operating model, as well as non-recurring work such as special projects, major system implementation, and incubation of new capabilities. The position assists the CIO with strategic oversight of the IT Department and may serve as acting CIO in meetings and committees during the CIO’s absence. Work is performed in a hybrid environment, with an expectation of working in the office at least three days per week. The role is expected to champion Sound Transit’s core values, contribute to diversity, equity, and inclusion, follow applicable safety rules, and integrate sustainability into everyday business practices.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, Business Management, Information Systems, Engineering, or a closely related field, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
Ten years of experience in senior-level IT positions, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
Eight years of leadership, budgetary, planning, and workforce-management experience.
ITIL V3 certification.
Knowledge of technology governance concepts, principles, and practices.
Strong understanding of business objectives, drivers, and principles and their relationship to technology solutions.
Knowledge of business and technology strategy and aligning business strategy to programs and projects.
Applied knowledge of project controls, cost estimating, budget preparation, and schedule performance.
In-depth understanding of key issues and success factors within an IT organization.
Knowledge of pertinent federal, state, and local laws, codes, and regulations.
C-suite experience representing technology strategy and serving as a business partner to align technology with business strategy.
Expertise in IT strategic planning, IT governance formulation, and organizational change management.
Experience with organizational design and IT operating-model development, including evolving roles, structures, and delivery approaches to align with strategy.
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with department staff, management, vendors, outside agencies, community groups, and the general public.
Experience overseeing and implementing enterprise systems.
Experience managing teams, delivering value through others, and managing individual performance.
Strong experience managing and leading organizational change.
Expertise in waterfall, agile, and blended delivery methods.
Strong facilitation skills, including conflict management, issue resolution, brokering agreements, and removing roadblocks.
Strong technology culture and interest and ability in learning new corporate business and transit technologies.
Excellent communication and leadership skills, including the ability to coach and mentor others.
Ability to advocate for, promote, and sell ideas to achieve strategic goals, improve efficiency, and reduce complexity.
Commitment to continuous improvement and an enterprise-wide viewpoint when developing IT strategy and priorities to maximize agency value and use limited resources effectively.
Ability to work effectively under pressure, meet deadlines, and adjust to changing priorities.
Ability to respond to inquiries and communicate effectively orally and in writing.
Ability to research, analyze, and evaluate new service delivery methods and techniques.
Ability to work cooperatively with other departments, agency officials, and outside agencies.

Responsibilities

Lead and develop the IT Leadership Team, providing direction, coordination, and coaching across cross-functional experts.
Serve as a senior advisor to the CIO in partnership with other IT Leadership Team members.
Act as a delegate or proxy for the CIO in executive forums or during the CIO’s absence, when appropriate.
Build strategic relationships with other departments to coordinate business needs with agency priorities.
Coach, train, and motivate staff; coordinate or provide staff training; and manage employee relations.
Facilitate development of IT strategy, roadmaps, and strategic plans, and communicate them to the IT organization and key stakeholders.
Participate in creating an enterprise-wide strategy for how information and technology will contribute to business success.
Support the definition and development of the IT organization, its organizational design, and more effective processes.
Design and maintain the IT operating model, including ways of working, role structures, guiding principles, and coordination on frameworks and standards such as ITIL and COBIT.
Identify and propose organizational changes based on evolving strategy and lead IT-wide change initiatives related to operating-model evolution.
Oversee an IT business office that partners with Finance and the Chief of Staff team to develop, present, and manage the IT budget; provide cost transparency; manage cost-allocation and chargeback principles; and measure IT investment benefits.
Lead transformation initiatives to evolve the IT operating model in line with strategic objectives.
Provide oversight and strategic guidance for planning and implementing large enterprise-wide IT systems.
Support the department as directed; serve on committees; prepare and present staff reports and correspondence; and participate in professional group meetings.
Maintain awareness of relevant trends and developments and incorporate new developments as appropriate.
Ensure processes, policies, and practices are consistently and effectively interpreted and applied, and ensure accountability and compliance with applicable laws, policies, procedures, rules, and regulations.
Model Sound Transit’s core values and values-based behaviors, and contribute to a culture of diversity, equity, and inclusion.
Follow agency safety rules, regulations, and procedures pertaining to assigned duties and integrate sustainability into everyday business practices.
Perform other duties as assigned.

Benefits

Medical, dental, and vision plans, with employee coverage at no cost and benefits available for eligible dependents.
Long-term disability and life insurance.
Employee Assistance Program.
401a retirement plan with a 10% employee contribution and a 12% employer match.
457b retirement plan with employee contributions up to the IRS maximum.
25 days of paid time off annually, with increases at four, eight, and twelve years of service; director-level employees and above accrue additional days.
12 paid holidays, up to 2 paid floating holidays, and up to 2 paid volunteer days per year.
12 weeks of parental leave for new parents.
Pet insurance.
No-cost ORCA card for full-time employees.
Tuition reimbursement of up to $5,000 annually for approved tuition expenses.
Opportunities for professional development and recognition from colleagues.
Work-life balance.