Chief Information Officer

Talent; Adelaide; On-site; AUD 320,000 - 520,000; Full time

Job summary

The Department of Human Services (DHS) is seeking a Chief Digital & Information Officer to shape how the organisation operates, transforms and delivers services into the future. Reporting directly to the Chief Financial Officer, the CDIO will lead a broad Digital, Data and Technology function and be a visible, influential member of DHS's executive leadership.

Set direction, lead people, influence executives, prioritise investment and translate technology into better organisational outcomes.

Job description

Chief Digital & Information Officer - Department of Human Services (DHS)

Executive leadership | Enterprise transformation | Digital, Data, Technology & Cyber

This is not simply a technology leadership role.

We are partnering with a major South Australian Government department, Department of Human Services (DHS), to appoint a Chief Digital & Information Officer (CDIO) who will help shape how the organisation operates, transforms and delivers services into the future.

Reporting directly to the Chief Financial Officer, the CDIO will lead a broad Digital, Data and Technology function, while operating as an influential member of DHS's broader executive leadership group.

The successful candidate does not need to be the most technical person in the room.

Set direction, lead people, influence executives, prioritise investment and translate technology into better organisational outcomes.

The opportunity

Department of Human Services (DHS) operates in a large, complex and highly stakeholder-driven environment supporting important services across South Australia.

With significant transformation ahead, the CDIO will provide enterprise-wide leadership across digital, data, technology, cybersecurity, architecture and emerging technologies.

Importantly, this role is about understanding the organisation before trying to change it.

You will build strong relationships across the executive, understand operational and service priorities, assess where investment will create the greatest value and establish a clear direction for the technology function.

You will lead senior functions across:

• ICT Applications
• Digital Solutions
• Information Security & Cyber Risk
• Technology Governance & Assurance
• ICT Operations
• Data Analytics & Reporting

What will be on your agenda?

• Enterprise transformation - modernise services, platforms and ways of working.
• AI & emerging technology - identify where new technology can deliver genuine organisational value.
• Cybersecurity & risk - strengthen security, resilience and service continuity.
• Enterprise architecture - ensure technology investment supports long-term business strategy.
• Platforms & digital capability - provide strategic oversight across key platforms including Dynamics and Salesforce.
• Investment & commercial management - prioritise technology investment, manage rising costs and maximise value.

Leadership will be critical

This is a significant people leadership role.

You will inherit a large, highly diverse and multicultural technology workforce comprising specialist teams with different disciplines, priorities and perspectives.

Success will require someone who can bring people together around a common direction, empower their senior leaders and create strong relationships across both technology and the broader organisation.

You will be expected to operate as an enterprise executive who leads technology - not a technology executive operating in a silo.

About you

We are interested in speaking with established executive leaders who have operated in complex organisations.

Your experience may have been developed across government, large enterprise, highly regulated industries or similarly complex stakeholder environments.

You will have sufficient technology depth to challenge, guide and support specialist leaders, but your greatest strength will be your ability to connect people, strategy, investment and technology.

Why this role?

Few technology leadership positions provide this breadth.

You will influence enterprise transformation, AI, data, cybersecurity, architecture, major platforms, investment and organisational strategy while helping shape services that have a genuine impact across South Australia.

For an executive who enjoys complexity, transformation, people leadership and working closely with senior decision-makers, this represents an opportunity to lead at an enterprise level rather than simply manage a technology function.

Applications Close: 23rd of October, 2026.