Chief Information Officer, Deputy

New Hanover County; Wilmington (NC); On-site; USD 92,000 - 156,000; Full time

Job summary

New Hanover County is seeking an experienced technology leader to serve as Deputy Chief Information Officer (DCIO). The DCIO will assist the CIO in leading the IT Department, shaping enterprise technology strategy, and guiding digital transformation across public safety, cloud, cybersecurity, and operations.

The ideal candidate will balance innovation with reliability, fiscal stewardship, stakeholder collaboration, and staff development, delivering secure, resilient technology services to meet

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Experience leading enterprise IT operations and strategic initiatives in a large organization.
• Strong understanding of cybersecurity, budgeting, and vendor management.

Responsibilities

• Supervise staff, manage daily IT operations, and ensure staff training and development.
• Collaborate with CIO to set enterprise tech strategy, governance, and long-range priorities.
• Develop and monitor operating and capital budgets; ensure financial controls.

Skills

Strategic leadership

Enterprise IT strategy

Public sector IT

Budget oversight

Cybersecurity awareness

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science or Information Technology

6+ years enterprise IT with 2+ years management

Job description

New Hanover County is seeking an experienced and strategic technology leader to serve as Deputy Chief Information Officer (DCIO). The DCIO assists the Chief Information Officer in leading the operations, administration, and strategic direction of the County’s Information Technology Department.

This position plays a key leadership role across enterprise technology services, county-wide digital transformation, public safety technologies, and major strategic initiatives. The DCIO also supports operating and capital budget management, procurement and contract administration, workforce development, and the delivery of reliable, secure, resilient, customer-focused, and fiscally responsible technology services.

The ideal candidate is a collaborative and forward-thinking leader who can balance innovation with operational reliability, cybersecurity, fiscal stewardship, customer service, and organizational priorities.

Key Responsibilities include:

• Supervises two or more full-time staff, prioritizes and assigns work; conducts performance evaluations; ensures staff is trained and developed; supports succession planning; and makes hiring, termination, and disciplinary recommendations.
• Manages the daily operations and administration of the department, including establishing service priorities, facilitating problem resolution, allocating resources, coordinating administrative activities, and ensuring compliance with County policies and procedures.
• Partners with the Chief Information Officer to establish enterprise technology strategy, governance, performance expectations, policies, and long-range priorities that align technology services and investments with County objectives.
• Develops, administers, forecasts, and monitors the Information Technology operating and capital budgets; evaluates budget proposals, expenditures, and financial performance; and ensures appropriate financial controls, documentation, and budget adherence.
• Develops multi-year capital, infrastructure, licensing, assets, and technology lifecycle plans to support responsible replacement, modernization, and long-term financial planning.
• Leads or supports technology procurement, competitive solicitations, contract negotiation and administration, vendor performance, software licensing, renewals, and grant opportunities to achieve best value and sound fiscal stewardship.
• Provides leadership for County-wide digital transformation, including AI, automation, enterprise applications, cloud, and infrastructure modernization to improve business processes, productivity, customer service, and organizational performance.
• Provides leadership and strategic support for public safety technologies and mission-critical systems, collaborating with law enforcement, fire, emergency communications, emergency management, and other partners to ensure reliability, resilience, interoperability, security, and alignment with operational needs.
• Ensures critical technology services are reliable, highly available, appropriately secured, and recoverable, and supports disaster recovery, business continuity, and continuity of County operations during emergencies and disasters.
• Evaluates organizational needs, operational risks, service performance, and emerging technologies; develops business cases and recommendations based on cost, benefit, risk, security, lifecycle, organizational readiness, and business impact.
• Works with County leadership, departments and officials, vendors, regional partners, and the public to identify needs, resolve issues, establish priorities, and allocate technology resources consistent with County objectives and service expectations.
• Prepares and communicates technology strategies, operating and capital budget requests, procurement recommendations, performance information, and major initiatives to technical and non-technical audiences, including executive leadership and elected officials as needed.
• Develops and supports departmental policies, procedures, internal controls, service standards, performance measures, records, and administrative practices that strengthen accountability, customer service, compliance, and organizational effectiveness.
• Mentor managers and staff and foster a culture of collaboration, accountability, continuous learning, innovation, customer service, and effective delegation while maintaining appropriate oversight of results.
• Participates in state, regional, and local committees and partnerships to address County technology issues, identify opportunities, and represent the interests of the County.
• Performs work with regular and predictable attendance consistently meeting the scheduling needs as required by the County; performs work during emergency/disaster situations; and performs other duties of a similar nature or level.

The successful candidate will bring demonstrated experience and knowledge in areas such as:

• Enterprise technology strategy, governance, and operations
• Digital transformation, AI, automation, and emerging technologies
• Public safety and mission-critical technology
• Cloud computing, infrastructure, networking, telecommunications, datacenter operations, and cybersecurity
• Disaster recovery, business continuity, and technology resilience
• Operating and capital budgeting, forecasting, financial analysis, and lifecycle planning
• Procurement, contracts, licensing, grants, and vendor management
• Project, change, performance, and risk management
• Building and leading high-performing teams
• Translating complex technical and financial information into practical recommendations
• Developing collaborative relationships across departments and with internal and external stakeholders

Leadership Profile

New Hanover County is looking for a leader who demonstrates sound judgment, initiative, and strategic thinking and who can effectively balance innovation, cybersecurity, reliability, customer service, fiscal responsibility, and organizational capacity.

The ideal candidate will be an effective communicator and relationship builder who can challenge assumptions, build consensus, delegate effectively, hold teams accountable for results, and turn complex technology and business needs into clear, actionable recommendations.

New Hanover County is dedicated to the recruitment and recognition of a talented and diverse workforce that is committed to public service. Our shared values of professionalism, innovation, equity, integrity, stewardship and accountability guide the way we conduct ourselves and deliver services to our customers. New Hanover County celebrates diversity in our employees’ backgrounds, beliefs, identities, and abilities, while supporting growth opportunities for all. Our talented team has a passion for providing care and services that effect change on the everyday lives of the citizens they encounter. The differences that unite us are a reflection of the community we serve. If this sounds like an organization that models the values you uphold, we invite you to join our team at New Hanover County.

Hours:

8:00 AM - 5:00 PM, Monday - Friday.

Must be available to report for emergency work assignment during emergency situations.

Employment Type:

Full-time, exempt

Salary Information:

The target hiring range for this position is $91,789 to $123,911. The full salary range for an incumbent hired into this position is $91,789 to $156,042. Starting salary will be based on qualifications, relevant experience, internal equity, and budget. Candidates with exceptional qualifications and experience may be considered for a starting salary above the target hiring range, but not to exceed the maximum of the salary range. This position is open until filled. Priority consideration will be given to candidates who submit an application by September 30, 2026.

Minimum Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, Information Systems, Business Administration, Public Administration, or a related field and six (6) years of progressively responsible enterprise information technology experience, including at least two (2) years of management-level experience; or an equivalent combination of education, training, and experience sufficient to successfully perform the essential duties of the position.

• Valid Driver's License (from any state) and good driving record required at time of application.
• Valid North Carolina Driver’s License required by first date of employment with good driving record.

Living in New Hanover County, NC:

New Hanover County offers an exceptional quality of life with its picturesque coastal location. Enjoy the stunning beaches, water activities, and a variety of recreational opportunities right at your doorstep. Immerse yourself in the vibrant local culture, indulge in diverse dining experiences, and explore historical landmarks. The county is known for its strong sense of community, excellent schools, and a thriving arts scene. With a focus on good governance and a commitment to customer service, New Hanover County provides an ideal environment for both personal and professional growth.