Strategic IT Director: Product-Driven Leader (Hybrid)

State of Tennessee; Nashville (TN); Hybrid; USD 118,000 - 154,000; Full time

Job summary

The State of Tennessee seeks an Executive IT Director in Nashville to lead Strategic Technology Solutions, reporting to the Agency CIO. This role supports the Department of Human Services and coordinates major technology functions, driving a phased transition of work from vendors to internal teams.

You will build internal capacity, implement product management practices, and ensure AI decisions meet security, privacy, and regulatory requirements while delivering measurable business value.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree and at least 10 years of technology experience, incl. 5+ years leading managers.
• Equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered.
• Experience leading complex application portfolios, enterprise operations, large vendor relationships.
• Experience in government, health and human services, Product Management, vendor-to-internal service transitions, or responsible AI and automation preferred.
• Masters degree or credentials in Product Management, IT service management, project or program management, technology financial management, cybersecurity, or organizational change preferred.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate priorities across Portal Operations, Security and Compliance, Enterprise Applications, Infrastructure, and Technology and Business Management while preserving each director's accountability for day-to-day operations.
• Establish and mature Product Management practices across major applications and technology products, including clear product ownership, roadmaps, prioritization, lifecycle planning, and regular portfolio reviews.
• Lead the creation of a common product scorecard that measures roadmap progress, releases, backlog, service performance, adoption, customer feedback, cost, vendor performance, risks, and business outcomes.
• Ensure tech investments address priority business needs and produce measurable value, not just activity or milestones.
• Develop and lead a phased, risk-based plan to shift maintenance and operations work from vendors to internal teams.
• Oversee cross-functional operational performance and provide timely executive escalation for major risks, incidents, and delivery barriers.
• Strengthen vendor and contract performance management by setting expectations and confirming value.

Skills

Executive leadership

Product Management

Vendor & contract management

Budgeting & financial management

AI and automation governance

Cross-functional leadership

Communication & relationship-building

Education

Bachelor's degree in IT/CS/MIS/Business/Public Admin or related field

Masters degree or credentials in PM, ITSM, PM, ITFM, cybersecurity or organizational change preferred

Equivalent combination of education and experience

Job description

The State of Tennessee seeks an Executive IT Director in Nashville to lead Strategic Technology Solutions, reporting to the Agency CIO. This role supports the Department of Human Services and coordinates major technology functions, driving a phased transition of work from vendors to internal teams.

You will build internal capacity, implement product management practices, and ensure AI decisions meet security, privacy, and regulatory requirements while delivering measurable business value.