Chief Technology Officer(CTO)– Executive Technology Leader

Private Advertiser; Canberra; On-site; AUD 180,000 - 250,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading technology service provider in Canberra is seeking an experienced Chief Technology Officer (CTO) to steer major Federal Government digital initiatives. The ideal candidate will have substantial experience in guiding strategic technology direction and governance in public sector environments. This role emphasizes a 'CTO-as-a-Service' model and requires strong stakeholder engagement and communication skills. If you have a background in government ICT/digital modernization, this opportunity is for you.

Qualifications

• Significant experience as a Chief Technology Officer or equivalent executive technology leader.
• Previous Federal or State Government experience leading technology strategy.
• Demonstrated ability to advise executive-level stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Define ICT and digital direction for public sector environments.
• Strengthen technology governance and architecture frameworks.
• Operate as the trusted CTO voice in senior forums.

Skills

Strategic technology direction

Technology governance

Cloud adoption

Stakeholder influence

Excellent communication skills

Job description

Chief Technology Officer (CTO) – Executive Technology Leader – Canberra

Australian Citizen (Baseline/NV1 clearance highly regarded)

We are strengthening our CTO-as-a-Service capability to support major Federal Government digital and ICT modernisation initiatives.

We’re looking to engage an executive‑level technology leader (CTO) who can provide organisation‑wide strategic direction, uplift technology governance, and guide complex ICT modernisation – delivered as a capability‑as‑a‑service, not as a traditional staff augmentation role.

This is a true CTO mandate: whole‑of‑organisation view, strategy, governance, architecture direction and stakeholder influence.

Key Focus Areas

Strategic Technology Direction

• Define and shape ICT and digital direction for complex public sector environments.
• Align technology investments to organisational strategy, regulatory obligations and digital‑government expectations.
• Guide cloud adoption, legacy transition, integration uplift and digital service improvements.
• Recommend practical, staged, value‑for‑money pathways for modernisation.

Governance & Architecture Uplift

• Strengthen technology governance, architecture guardrails and decision frameworks.
• Ensure ICT decisions are consistent, transparent and aligned to contemporary standards.

Executive Advisory & Stakeholder Influence

• Operate as the trusted CTO voice in senior forums, steering groups and investment discussions.
• Translate complex technology issues into clear options and recommendations.

Capability & Knowledge Uplift

• Coach and mentor public sector technology and business leaders.
• Embed repeatable practices for digital governance, prioritisation and planning.

Significant experience as a Chief Technology Officer, CIO‑2, or equivalent executive technology leader.

Previous Federal or State Government experience leading technology strategy and/or major digital/ICT uplift.

Proven track record in

• ICT/digital strategy and roadmaps
• Technology governance and architecture frameworks
• Cloud, integration and legacy modernisation

Demonstrated ability to advise SES/Executive‑level stakeholders and influence strategic decisions.

Strong understanding of public sector constraints: risk, probity, assurance, value‑for‑money, and whole‑of‑government alignment.

Excellent written and verbal communication, including the ability to produce fit‑for‑purpose, executive‑ready advice.

Exposure to AI, automation, data/analytics and low‑code platforms in a government or large enterprise context.

Experience with CTO / advisory‑as‑a‑service or similar capability models.

Existing Baseline or NV1 clearance.

Who This Suits

This engagement is ideal for a seasoned CTO or senior technology executive who:

• Has done this before in Federal or State Government;
• Enjoys working at the strategy, governance and “whole‑of‑organisation” level;
• Wants to apply their experience through a structured CTO‑as‑a‑Service model, rather than a traditional line role.

How to Express Interest

To be considered for this CTO‑as‑a‑Service engagement, please provide:

• Your current CV, highlighting CTO / executive technology roles; and
• A short summary (½–1 page) of your most relevant government ICT/digital modernisation achievements.