CHIEF PRODUCT & TECHNOLOGY OFFICER (CPTO)
EEO Job Category Executive/Senior Level Officials and Managers
Classification Exempt
Comp Range (Grade) AA
Reports To Chief Executive Officer (CEO)
Supervisory (Y/N) Y
Union Eligible (Y/N) N
SUMMARY
The Chief Product & Technology Officer (CPTO) provides executive leadership for Oregon Tilth's technology strategy, enterprise architecture, digital product innovation, information governance, and technology operations. The CPTO establishes a secure, scalable, and reliable technology foundation that strengthens organizational stability, operational excellence, client experience, and long-term sustainability.
The CPTO develops and leads a cohesive technology and digital product roadmap that advances organic certification services and organizational effectiveness. This includes strategic oversight of enterprise applications, data architecture, cybersecurity, systems integration, and the responsible adoption of emerging technologies. Working collaboratively with organizational leaders, the CTPO translates business needs and strategic priorities into innovative, accessible, and measurable technology solutions.
As a member of the Executive Leadership Team, the CTPO leads internal technology capabilities, establishes clear governance and accountability, and oversees external technology partners and investments. This executive brings a forward-thinking, service-oriented leadership approach grounded in innovation, collaboration, transparency, and responsible stewardship of organizational resources, helping Oregon Tilth protect organic integrity and advance its mission.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Technology Governance, Architecture & Innovation
- Establish and maintain an enterprise technology architecture and multi-year roadmap that supports organizational priorities, interoperability, security, scalability, and responsible modernization
- Develop organizational technology governance practices, including clear decision rights, data stewardship, security oversight, technology investment evaluation, and vendor accountability
- Lead opportunities to modernize certification-related technology and digital client experiences through user-centered design, workflow optimization, automation, and systems integration
- Evaluate emerging technologies, including AI, using practical criteria for mission alignment, operational value, privacy, accessibility, reliability, and responsible adoption
Product Leadership
- Lead digital product strategy and a prioritized roadmap that modernizes certification-related services, improves client and staff experiences, and delivers measurable mission and organizational outcomes
- Establish product management practices (discovery, user research, requirements, prioritization, success metrics) and hire or develop product capacity
- Define how success is measured: adoption, turnaround time, client satisfaction, cost to serve
IT Systems
- Ensure continuous delivery of IT services through oversight of staff usage and monitoring of IT systems performance
- Manage the deployment, monitoring, maintenance, development, upgrade and support of all IT systems
- Oversee troubleshooting, system backups, archive and disaster recovery
- Lead the identification, assessment, mitigation, and ongoing monitoring of cybersecurity risks and vulnerabilities to protect organizational systems, data integrity, and sensitive client information
Enterprise Applications and Systems Strategy
- Own the organization's application portfolio and roadmap (certification operations, CRM, finance and accounting, client portal, website/CMS, and analytics), with business leaders serving as owners of the processes each system supports
- Lead the evaluation and selection of systems and solutions: gather requirements with stakeholders, assess total cost of ownership, risk, scalability, and fit, and make recommendations to executive leadership
- Oversee the full lifecycle of enterprise applications, including implementation, integration, data migration, adoption, performance, and continuous improvement
- Manage technology vendors, partners, and contracts, with attention to service levels, data ownership, security, and continuity
- Ensure systems meet applicable regulatory, accreditation, and recordkeeping requirements, including USDA NOP standards, and protect the confidentiality of client and certification information
User Experience
- Lead the technical architecture, integration, accessibility, security, and performance of digital platforms, in partnership with departmental leaders responsible for content, business processes, analytics, and user experience
- Use client and staff feedback to guide continuous improvement
Leadership
- Build, lead, mentor, and develop a high-performing technology and digital product team, fostering innovation, collaboration, accountability, and continuous improvement
- Serve as a strategic advisor to the CEO and Executive Leadership Team, translating organizational priorities into actionable technology strategies and investmentsLead organizational technology change, strengthening cross-functional partnerships, staff adoption, digital literacy, and effective use of technology
- Oversee technology budgets, external partners, and investments to ensure responsible stewardship, measurable outcomes, and long-term organizational value
QUALIFICATIONS AND EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS
- Bachelor's degree in related field and a minimum of 7 years' work experience in management-level position overseeing program or departmental operations
- Proven experience in leadership with a service mindset, collaborative approach, and demonstrated ability to engage in difficult conversations
- Demonstrated success leading enterprise technology strategy, systems architecture, digital product development, platform modernization, and cross-functional technology initiatives that deliver measurable organizational outcomes
- Experience overseeing custom software development or major platform implementations, working with outside developers, and managing vendors
- Experience with Microsoft 365 or Google Workspace administration and web/CMS platform oversight
- Experience with cloud platforms (e.g., Microsoft Azure, AWS, or Google Cloud)
- Familiarity with cybersecurity risk management frameworks, such as NIST CSF, and relevant security assurance standards, such as SOC 2
- Demonstrated ability to provide clear communication both written and verbal
- Working knowledge of AI/ML applications and responsible AI practices