Chief Information Officer

City of Norfolk, VA; Norfolk (VA); On-site; USD 150,000 - 210,000; Full time

Job summary

City of Norfolk, VA is seeking a visionary Chief Information Officer to lead enterprise technology, cybersecurity, digital transformation, and AI initiatives. The CIO serves as the City Manager's chief technology advisor and oversees a team of over 80 professionals with a $20M operating budget.

The role drives technology strategy for government operations, champions data governance, cloud adoption, and innovation partnerships with regional and federal entities, ensuring security and

Qualifications

• Master's degree preferred; equivalent education and executive leadership experience may be considered.
• 10 years of progressively responsible information technology leadership experience, including executive-level management of complex technology organizations, enterprise cybersecurity, digital transformation initiatives, strategic planning, and budget administration.
• Experience in local government or other large public-sector organizations is highly desirable.

Responsibilities

• Lead enterprise digital transformation initiatives.
• Develop and maintain the City's technology strategic plan.
• Serve as a trusted advisor to the City Manager, executive leadership, and City Council on technology, cybersecurity, AI, and innovation.
• Develop enterprise AI governance and responsible use policies.
• Lead cybersecurity strategy, disaster recovery, and business continuity planning.
• Establish enterprise data governance and analytics programs.
• Oversee enterprise architecture, cloud strategy, and application modernization.
• Foster innovation and continuous improvement throughout City government.
• Develop strategic technology partnerships with regional, state, federal, military, higher education, and private‑sector organizations.
• Manages information technology functions by providing effective resource management, budget development, budget control, financial management, staffing, staff development, employee relations and other human resource management activities.
• Plans and implements city‑wide technology initiatives by managing the development of requirements, requests for proposals, project management and implementation of projects, procurement, and managing the change process.

Skills

Executive leadership

Cybersecurity

Digital transformation

Strategic planning

Budget administration

Education

Master's degree (IT/CS/IS/Cybersecurity/Business Admin/Public Admin)

Job description

Description

Norfolk, Virginia is America's most authentic and urban waterfront city, home to the world's largest Naval station and the business, arts, and cultural center of Coastal Virginia. Norfolk has been rated a top place to live, work, and raise a family by numerous publications.

Chief Information Officer (CIO)

The City of Norfolk is seeking a visionary, collaborative executive to serve as its Chief Information Officer (CIO). The CIO serves as the City's principal technology strategist and trusted advisor to the City Manager and executive leadership team, leading enterprise technology, cybersecurity, digital transformation, artificial intelligence (AI), enterprise data strategy, and innovation initiatives that improve government operations and enhance services for residents, businesses, and employees.

The Chief Information Officer (CIO) leads the Department of Information Technology, managing an annual operating budget of over $20 million and a team of more than 80 professionals. The CIO oversees all enterprise technology services, including cybersecurity, applications, cloud services, data management and analytics, GIS, telecommunications, public safety technology, infrastructure, network operations, end‑user computing, and customer support.

This role partners with all city departments to shape technology strategies that improve operational efficiency, modernize business processes, strengthen cybersecurity, and enhance digital services. The CIO provides executive leadership for digital transformation, enterprise architecture, cloud strategy, technology and data governance, and the responsible adoption of emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence.

The CIO identifies long‑term citywide technology needs and develops strategies for systems development, hardware acquisition, and platform integration. This includes reviewing feasibility studies and overseeing the implementation and operation of major information systems. The CIO monitors emerging technologies, assesses their organizational impact, and ensures strong information security practices and reliable access to critical systems.

In addition, the CIO leads innovation initiatives that advance service delivery and operational effectiveness, including evaluating Smart City technologies, IoT solutions, automation, advanced analytics, and other emerging tools. The CIO also leads the city's enterprise AI strategy—establishing governance, policies, and responsible use standards while identifying opportunities to safely leverage AI and automation to improve productivity, decision‑making, customer service, and overall efficiency.

Essential Functions

• Lead enterprise digital transformation initiatives.
• Develop and maintain the City's technology strategic plan.
• Serve as a trusted advisor to the City Manager, executive leadership, and City Council on technology, cybersecurity, AI, and innovation.
• Develop enterprise AI governance and responsible use policies.
• Lead cybersecurity strategy, disaster recovery, and business continuity planning.
• Establish enterprise data governance and analytics programs.
• Oversee enterprise architecture, cloud strategy, and application modernization.
• Foster innovation and continuous improvement throughout City government.
• Develop strategic technology partnerships with regional, state, federal, military, higher education, and private‑sector organizations.
• Manages information technology functions by providing effective resource management, budget development, budget control, financial management, staffing, staff development, employee relations and other human resource management activities.
• Plans and implements city‑wide technology initiatives by managing the development of requirements, requests for proposals, project management and implementation of projects, procurement, and managing the change process.

Education and Experience

Master's degree in Information Technology, Computer Science, Information Systems, Cybersecurity, Business Administration, Public Administration, or a related field preferred. Equivalent education and executive leadership experience may be considered.

Ten (10) years of progressively responsible information technology leadership experience, including executive‑level management of complex technology organizations, enterprise cybersecurity, digital transformation initiatives, strategic planning, and budget administration.

Experience in local government or other large public‑sector organizations is highly desirable.

Additional Information & Requirements

• Competitive benefits package.
• The position is a senior executive unclassified position which serves at the will of the City Manager.

Signing Bonus

This position is eligible for a one‑time $5,000 sign‑on bonus.

Benefits

• Regular full‑time and permanent part‑time employees may receive paid holidays, vacation and sick leave, employer paid pension plan, basic life insurance, voluntary participation in medical and dental, Section 457 deferred compensation, long‑term disability, optional life insurance for self, spouse and children, medical and dependent care reimbursement plans, access to membership in credit union and employer provided parking.
• Special project/grant employees are generally eligible for the same benefits of regular full‑time employees; however, retirement, life insurance and participation in health plans vary depending on funding and authorization.
• Temporary/seasonal and part‑time employees are generally only eligible for employer provided parking and access to membership in credit union.
• Retirement
• The Tuition Assistance Program is established to encourage employees toward continued self‑development and education. Permanent full‑time and permanent part‑time classified, unclassified permanent, full‑time special projects, and constitutional employees who have completed six months continuous service will be eligible to apply. The applicant’s school of enrollment must be an accredited institution.

The benefits described above are broad generalizations. The specific benefits that an employee may be eligible for are governed by City regulations, as applicable to job type.

Non‑City Positions listed with a job type designation of "Non-City" are not subject to the benefits descriptions above. Refer to the content of the job posting for information regarding these positions.