Director of Innovation & Technology

City of Farmers Branch • Farmers Branch, TX • $127.70k - $204.30k / year • 2w ago

***Target Hiring Pay Range: $155,000 - $160,000***

The IT Director is a key member of the city's leadership team, responsible for addressing city-wide policies, management challenges, and strategic initiatives. This role oversees the strategic direction, management, and execution of the city's technology initiatives, ensuring that all technological efforts align with the city's broader objectives. The IT Director leads the IT department to maintain and optimize the city's technical infrastructure, enhance cybersecurity, and support essential systems. By promoting digital transformation and safeguarding the city's data and networks, the IT Director plays a pivotal role in improving service delivery and advancing the city's strategic goals.

Strategic Planning: Develop and implement the city's IT strategy in alignment with the city’s overall goals and objectives. Identify and recommend technology solutions to improve efficiency, transparency, and service delivery.
Leadership & Team Management: Inspire, lead, mentor, and manage a team of IT professionals, ensuring effective performance, development, and productivity. Foster a collaborative team environment, recruit and retain employees who are the best fit for the Department and foster a collaborative environment of innovation and accountability. Ability to navigate communicating with the public and city council with different political views or sensitive topics.
Budget & Resource Management: Oversee the preparation and management of the IT department’s budget. Evaluate and recommend cost-effective technology investments and solutions to maximize the use of city resources.
Cybersecurity & Compliance: Ensure the protection of the city’s network, data, and systems through robust cybersecurity practices. Maintain compliance with relevant laws and regulations, such as CJIS, HIPAA, and PCI standards.
Technology Infrastructure: Oversee the design, implementation, and maintenance of the city’s IT infrastructure, including networks, servers, hardware, and software systems. Ensure high availability, scalability, and security of all IT systems.
Project Management: Manage and prioritize IT projects, including system upgrades, software implementations, and infrastructure enhancements. Ensure projects are delivered on time, within scope, and budget, while meeting the city’s needs.
Vendor Management: Build and maintain strong relationships with external vendors, evaluate and negotiate complex contracts and proposals, overseeing services, and ensuring the city receives value from all partnerships.
Collaboration & Communication: Work closely with city departments to understand their technology needs and deliver solutions that enhance operational efficiency. Communicate IT policies, strategies, and updates to city leadership and employees in clear, nontechnical terms. Maintain professional networks and attend training sessions and conferences as necessary to advance skills and keep current on issues and practices in information technology. Develops and maintains partnership and Interlocal agreements as needed.
Disaster Recovery & Business Continuity: Develop and maintain disaster recovery plans and business continuity protocols to ensure the city’s IT systems can recover quickly in case of an emergency or disruption.
Regulatory Compliance: Stay up to date on federal, state, and local regulations related to IT and ensure the city’s systems are compliant with all relevant laws, including data privacy and cybersecurity standards.
Innovation & Digital Transformation: Lead efforts to modernize the city’s technology, exploring trends, emerging technologies and practices to improve service delivery.
Presentation to the City Council on different budgetary and operational items.

Required:

Bachelor’s degree in information technology, Computer Science or related field, or equivalent work experience.
Seven years of progressive management experience in information technology operations, strategic budget planning, project management and in leading teams in the support of information technology systems.
An equivalent combination of the above experience and education to satisfy the minimum requirements of the position.
A valid Texas Driver License, Class C.
ITIL Foundations Certification within 12 months of employment.

Preferred:

Experience in local government or public sector is strongly preferred.
Certified Public Manager designation.
Project Management Professional (PMP) or Project+ Certification.
Relevant industry certifications such as Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP), Certified Information Technology Manager (CITM), Certified Government Chief Information Officer (CGCIO)

Leadership: Strong leadership abilities with a proven track record of managing and developing high performing teams.
Communication: Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to convey complex technical information to nontechnical stakeholders. Ability to make effective public presentations and prepares reports and plans regarding updates, recommendations, prioritization and initiation of IT objectives.
Problem-solving: Demonstrated ability to solve complex technical challenges and develop innovative solutions.
Project Management: Strong project management skills, including planning, organizing, and leading largescale IT initiatives.
Cybersecurity Knowledge: In-depth knowledge of cybersecurity best practices and experience managing network security, data privacy, and compliance.
Technical Expertise: Broad understanding of IT infrastructure, networking, software development, system administration, cloud computing, and digital transformation trends.
Interpersonal Skills: Ability to work collaboratively with a wide range of internal and external stakeholders, including elected officials, department heads, and city staff.
Budgeting: Experience managing department budgets, forecasting technology needs, and procuring IT services and solutions.

Special Requirements:

Background Requirements:

Candidates offered a position must successfully complete the following:

A comprehensive background check, to include nationwide criminal, sex offender, motor vehicle review, education and employment verification, address history and SSN trace.
A Criminal Justice Information Services (CJIS) fingerprint criminal background check. Must be able to comply with state and federal requirements for criminal justice security standards.
A pre-employment drug and alcohol screen. This position will be subject to random drug and alcohol screening during the length of employment.

Licenses and Certificates:

Valid Texas class "C" driver's license with good driving record and ability to maintain while employed.

Work Environment:

Environment: The IT Director typically works in an office setting but may be required to visit other city facilities. Occasional evening or weekend work may be required, particularly during system upgrades, maintenance, City Council meetings, or emergency situations.
Physical Requirements: In the performance of job duties, incumbent is required to talk and hear and attend meetings for prolonged periods of time. The incumbent must be able to lift 50 pounds; work in confined spaces; stoop, kneel and crouch and have sufficient manual dexterity to use office equipment such as computer keyboards, cell phones, multi-line phones, calculators and hand and power tools within the confines of computer equipment.