Chief Information Officer

Kensington International Executive Search; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 250,000 - 350,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Annual incentives

Long-term incentives

Competitive compensation

Job summary

Kensington International Executive Search is assisting in the recruitment of a Chief Information Officer for a well-established B2B organization with a strong North American presence. The CIO will lead enterprise technology strategy from the Chicago headquarters, with a regular on-site presence and occasional travel.

The role requires a business-minded executive who can balance strategic thinking with practical execution, build strong teams, manage budgets, and drive modernization and AI

Qualifications

• 10+ years of IT leadership experience, including executive roles.
• Experience overseeing enterprise applications, infrastructure, data and cybersecurity.
• Strong business judgment and executive communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Build and execute a technology roadmap aligned with growth and operating priorities.
• Lead and develop a high-performing technology team.
• Oversee ERP/CRM integration, infrastructure, cloud, data and digital initiatives.
• Direct cybersecurity, risk, disaster recovery and business continuity.
• Set technology investment priorities and manage budgets to deliver measurable results.
• Partner with business leaders to drive AI-enabled business improvements.
• Communicate strategy, investments and risks to CEO, executive team and Board.

Skills

IT leadership

Executive communication

Strategic thinking

Budget management

Cybersecurity

Education

Bachelor’s degree in IT/CS/Business

Advanced degree preferred (MBA/MS)

Job description

Our client is a well-established, multibillion-dollar business-to-business organization with a significant North American presence and a longstanding reputation for customer service, operational excellence, and strong business relationships. The organization operates in a complex business environment where technology plays a key role in supporting customers, improving operational performance, and enabling continued growth. As the business evolves, leadership seeks an accomplished technology executive with strategic thinking, strong business judgment, and a proven ability to lead people and deliver results.

The Chief Information Officer will be based at the company's headquarters in Chicago's northwest suburbs, near the I-90 corridor. A regular on-site presence is required, with some flexibility. Reporting directly to the CEO, the CIO will serve on the executive leadership team and lead enterprise technology strategy and operations. The successful candidate will be recognized as a business-minded executive who balances strategic thinking with practical execution, develops strong teams, and builds productive relationships across the business.

Responsibilities

• Build and execute a technology roadmap aligned with growth, customer service, and operating priorities.
• Lead, coach, and develop an experienced technology team, strengthening collaboration and accountability.
• Oversee enterprise applications, ERP/CRM integration, infrastructure, cloud, data, and digital initiatives.
• Direct cybersecurity, technology risk, disaster recovery, and business continuity.
• Set technology investment priorities, manage budgets, and deliver measurable results from major initiatives.
• Partner with business leaders and external stakeholders to lead change and pursue practical uses of AI.
• Communicate technology strategy, investments, and risks clearly to the CEO, executive team, and Board.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in IT, Computer Science, Business, or a related field required; advanced degree preferred.
• At least 10 years of progressive IT leadership experience, including five years in a senior executive role.
• Broad enterprise technology responsibility spanning applications, infrastructure, cybersecurity, data, and budgets.
• Proven success with systems modernization, digital transformation, and organizational change.
• Experience leading functional leaders and developing engaged, high-performing teams.
• Strong business judgment, executive communication, and collaborative leadership.
• Distribution, supply chain, or complex B2B experience is preferred, not required.
• Previous CIO title is not required if the candidate has led the full breadth of enterprise technology responsibilities.

This position offers a competitive executive compensation package, including a base salary, annual incentives, and long-term incentives.

Candidates residing outside the greater Chicago area must be willing to relocate. The position requires some business travel, and all inquiries will be handled with strict confidentiality.