Chief Information Officer (CIO) Job Description Template

The chief information officer owns technology across the organization, covering infrastructure, applications, security, data and the teams that run them. The role is accountable for whether technology supports the business reliably and for the investment decisions that determine what is possible in three years. It is as much about relationships with the rest of the executive team as about technology itself.

Typical Duties and Responsibilities

• Own technology strategy and its alignment to business objectives
• Lead the technology organization including its leadership layer
• Own the technology budget and its allocation
• Ensure reliability, security and continuity of technology services
• Manage major vendor relationships and contracts
• Lead significant technology transformation programs
• Report technology performance and risk to the board
• Build and develop technology leadership talent
• Govern technology investment and demonstrate its return
• Partner with executive peers on business change enabled by technology

Education

• Bachelor’s degree in computer science, information systems or business; MBA common

Required Skills and Experience

• 15+ years in technology including executive leadership
• Experience owning a technology budget at organizational scale
• Track record of delivering significant transformation
• Strong vendor negotiation and contract management
• Understanding of security, risk and continuity obligations
• Board level communication and credibility
• Ability to build and retain technology leaders
• Commercial judgment about technology investment

Preferred Qualifications

• Industry specific experience relevant to the organization
• Experience through a merger, acquisition or major system replacement