Deputy Chief Information Officer at Sound Transit in Seattle, WA

Deputy Chief Information Officer

Salary range is $171k to $325k with a midpoint of $248k. New hires typically receive between minimum and midpoint, however, we may go slightly higher based on experience, internal equity and market.

Sound Transit also offers a competitive benefits package with a wide range of offerings, including:

• Health Benefits: We offer two choices of medical plans, a dental plan, and a vision plan all at no cost for employee coverage; comprehensive benefits for employees and eligible dependents, including a spouse or domestic partner.
• Long-Term Disability and Life Insurance.
• Employee Assistance Program.
• Retirement Plans: 401a – 10% of employee contribution with a 12% match by Sound Transit; 457b – up to IRS maximum (employee only contribution).
• Paid Time Off: Employees accrue 25 days of paid time off annually with increases at four, eight and twelve years of service. Employees at the director level and up accrue additional days. We also observe 12 paid holidays and provide up to 2 paid floating holidays and up to 2 paid volunteer days per year.
• Parental Leave: 12 weeks of parental leave for new parents.
• Pet Insurance.
• ORCA Card: All full-time employees will receive an ORCA card at no cost.
• Tuition Reimbursement: Sound Transit will pay up to $5,000 annually for approved tuition expenses.
• Compensation Practices: We offer competitive salaries based on market rates and internal equity. In addition to compensation and benefits, you’ll find that we provide work-life balance, opportunities for professional development and recognition from your colleagues.

GENERAL PURPOSE:

The Deputy CIO (DCIO) is a Deputy Executive Director in Sound Transit IT. This position reports to the CIO, and is an operational role which is accountable for establishing and overseeing the CIO’s Team within Sound Transit IT. The DCIO will function as an extension of the CIO and build effective strategic relationships with other departments in Sound Transit and across IT.

Responsible for IT strategic planning, ensuring alignment between enterprise goals and IT’s long-term direction. Plays a key role in evolving the IT operating model, shaping workforce strategy, and building new internal capabilities. May also take ownership of emerging or transitional functions until they are ready to scale or transition into formal structures. Oversees additional recurring cross-functional capabilities within the CIO team such as governance, performance management, IT operating model, and design and non-recurring functions such as special projects, major system implementation, and incubation of new capabilities.

Assists the CIO in strategic oversight of the IT Department and may serve as acting CIO as required in meetings and committees during the CIO absence.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

The following duties are a representative summary of the primary duties and responsibilities. Incumbent(s) may not be required to perform all duties listed and may be required to perform additional, position-specific duties.

• Lead and develop the IT Leadership Team, providing direction, coordination, and coaching across a group of cross-functional experts.
• Serve as a senior advisor to the CIO, in partnership with other members of the IT Leadership Team.
• Act as a delegate or proxy for the CIO, representing the CIO in executive forums or stepping in during the CIO’s absence when appropriate.
• Build effective strategic relationships with other departments for the purpose of the cross-department planning and coordination of business needs aligned to overall agency priority.
• Coach, train, and motivate staff; coordinate and/or provide staff training; and manage employee relations.
• Facilitate the development of IT strategy, roadmap, and strategic plans, and ensures they are communicated clearly across the IT organization and to key stakeholders.
• Participate in the creation of an enterprise-wide strategy for how information and technology will contribute to business success across the enterprise.
• As part of the IT senior leadership team, supports the ongoing definition and maturity of the larger IT organization and its organizational design, and the introduction of more effective processes.
• Design and maintain the IT operating model needed to deliver on strategic objectives. This includes defining ways of working, role structures and guiding principles, as well as coordinating with other parts of IT on frameworks and standards (e.g., ITIL, COBIT).
• In partnership with other members of the IT Leadership Team, identify and propose organizational changes based on evolving strategy and lead IT-wide change initiatives tied to operating model evolution.
• Oversee a business office within the IT Leadership Team that in partnership with Finance and the Chief of Staff team develops, presents and manages the IT budget; provides transparency to IT costs; manages cost allocation chargeback principles and measures the benefits of IT investments
• Leads transformation initiatives to evolve the IT operating model in line with strategic objectives.
• Provides oversight and strategic guidance for the planning and implementation of large-enterprise-wide IT systems.
• Provides support to the department on the matters as directed; serve as staff on a variety of committees; prepares and presents staff reports and other necessary correspondence; attends and participates in professional group meetings; maintains awareness of new trends and developments in the fields related to area of assignment; incorporates new developments as appropriate; ensures processes, policies, and practices are interpreted and applied consistently and effectively; ensures accountability and compliance with all current and applicable state and federal laws, agency policies and procedures, rules and regulations.
• Champions and models Sound Transit's core values and demonstrates values-based behaviors in everyday interactions across the agency.
• Contributes to a culture of diversity, equity and inclusion in alignment with Sound Transit’s Equity & Inclusion Policy.
• It is the responsibility of all employees to follow the Agency safety rules, regulations, and procedures pertaining to their assigned duties and responsibilities, which could include systems, operations, and/or other employees.
• It is the responsibility of all employees to integrate sustainability into everyday business practices.
• Other duties as assigned.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

Education and Experience: Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, Business Management, Information Systems, Engineering, or closely related field. Ten years experience in senior level IT positions including; Or an equivalent combination of education and experience. Eight years of leadership, budgetary, planning and workforce management experience.

Required Licenses or Certifications:

• ITIL V3

Required Knowledge and Skills:

• Concepts, principles, and practices of technology governance.
• Strong understanding of business objectives, drivers and principles, and how they relate to technology solutions.
• Business and technology strategy; aligning business strategy to programs and projects.
• Applied principles and practices in project controls.
• Applied principles and practices in cost estimating, budget preparation, and schedule performance.
• In depth understanding of key issues and success factors within an IT organization.
• Pertinent federal, state, and local laws, codes, and regulations.
• C-suite experience representing technology strategy and serving as a business partner aligning technology to business strategy.
• Expert 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
• Establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with other department staff, management, vendors, outside agencies community groups, and the general public.
• Experience overseeing and implementing enterprise systems.
• Experience in managing teams, delivering value through others, and the performance management of those individuals.
• Strong experience managing and leading change within an organization.
• Expertise in waterfall, agile, and blended delivery methods.
• Strong facilitation skills including conflict management, issue resolution, brokering agreements, and removing roadblocks.
• Possesses a sold technology culture with a strong interest and ability in learning new technologies in both corporate business technologies and transit technologies.
• Excellent communication and leadership skills with the ability to coach and mentor others.
• Ability to advocate, promote and sell ideas to achieve strategic goals, improve efficiency and reduce complexity.
• Continuous improvement.
• Taking an overall enterprise viewpoint in understanding projects and developing an IT strategic plan and priorities to maximize overall agency value and effectively use limited resources.
• Working effectively under pressure, meeting deadlines, and adjusting to changing priorities.
• Responding to inquiries and effective oral and written communication.
• Researching, analyzing, and evaluating new service delivery methods and techniques.
• Working cooperatively with other departments, Agency officials, and outside agencies.

Physical Demands / Work Environment:

• Work is performed in a hybrid environment with an expectation of working in office a minimum of 3 days per week.
• The Agency promotes a safe and healthy work environment and provides appropriate safety and equipment training for all personnel as required.

Sound Transit is an equal employment opportunity employer. No person is unlawfully excluded from employment action based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex (including gender identity, sexual orientation and pregnancy), age, genetic information, disability, veteran status or other protected class.