Chief Information Officer

City of Norfolk, VA; Norfolk (VA); On-site; USD 180,000 - 230,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Benefits package

Parking

Pension plan

Job summary

The City of Norfolk is seeking a visionary Chief Information Officer (CIO) to lead the Department of Information Technology, oversee cybersecurity, AI, data strategy, and digital transformation, and advise the City Manager and Council on technology strategy.

This senior executive position manages a budget of over $20 million and a team of more than 80 professionals, directing enterprise technology, cloud services, and innovation initiatives to improve government operations.

Qualifications

• Ten years of IT leadership with executive-level management experience.
• Experience in cybersecurity, digital transformation, strategy, and budgeting.
• Local government or large public-sector experience is desirable.

Responsibilities

• Lead enterprise digital transformation initiatives.
• Develop and maintain the City's technology strategic plan.
• Advise City Manager and Council on technology, cybersecurity, AI and innovation.
• Develop enterprise AI governance and responsible use policies.
• Lead cybersecurity strategy, disaster recovery and business continuity.
• Oversee enterprise data governance and analytics programs.
• Oversee enterprise architecture, cloud strategy and application modernization.
• Foster innovation and strategic partnerships with regional/national entities.
• Manage IT budget, staffing, and vendor relationships.
• Plan city-wide technology initiatives with requirements, RFPs, and project management.

Skills

Strategic planning

Leadership

Cybersecurity

AI governance

Budget management

Stakeholder comms

Education

Master's degree in IT/CS/IS

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.

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.

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/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.

Note

The benefits described above are broad generalisations. 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.

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 upon 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

If you are hired October 5, 2010, or after to a position with City of Norfolk Retirement System benefits, you will be required to contribute five percent (5%) of your salary toward your retirement benefit. This will be a pre‑tax payroll deduction.

If you are hired January 1, 2022, or after to a position with Virginia Retirement System (VRS) benefits, you will be required to contribute five percent (5%) of your salary toward your retirement benefit. This will be a pre‑tax payroll deduction.

• 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.

Supplemental Questions

01 The following Supplemental Questions are specific to the position for which you have applied to assist the hiring manager in screening applications for specific experience being sought. Please be specific in answering these questions as they will be used to evaluate which applications will be given further consideration in the process. Do not answer "see resume" or "see application" as these are not valid answers. Please note that if you are invited to be interviewed by the department, your responses to the following questions may be subject to verification.

• I understand and will answer the following supplemental questions completely and thoroughly.

02 If you were referred for this position by a current City of Norfolk employee, please provide the employee's full name, department, and job title. If not, please indicate by typing "N/A."

03 Please select the highest level of education you have completed.

• Less than High School Diploma/GED
• High School Diploma/GED
• Some College (6 months or more)
• Vocational/Technical Degree
• Associate's Degree
• Bachelor's Degree
• Master's Degree or higher

04 Do you have a degree equivalent in database administration, information systems or information technology?

• Yes
• No

05 How many years experience do you have working in technology leadership?

• Less than five (5)
• 5-7 years
• 7-10 years
• More than 10 years
• No experience

06 How many years experience do you have in a management role?

• Less than three (3)
• 3-5 years
• More than five (5)
• No experience

07 What do you see as the role of the CIO in the city organization?

08 Explain how you see the CIO functioning both strategically and on a day‑to‑day basis?

09 Please acknowledge receipt of the following information: This position is Unclassified and serves at the will of the City Manager.

• I acknowledge receipt of the information above

10 Are you a current or previous City of Norfolk employee?

• Yes - I am a current City of Norfolk Employee
• Yes - I am a previous City of Norfolk Employee
• No - I am not a previous or current City of Norfolk employee

11 Please provide an explanation of any periods of unemployment that are 30 days or longer. Indicate N/A if you have not experienced any periods of unemployment.

12 Please indicate your veteran status. (A copy of your long form DD-214 may be required)

• I am not a Veteran
• I am a Veteran
• I am a Disabled Veteran
• Required Question