Chief Technology Officer

The Opportunity

Purpose of the Position

This newly created Chief Technology Officer (“CTO”) position plans, directs, coordinates, and manages the Company’s technology development of products, customer facing technology and supporting systems. Reporting to the CEO, a primary function of the CTO is to set the strategic vision for the development, delivery, marketing, and enhancement of technology products that deliver value to the Company’s customers and users while achieving growth objectives within the Product Development division. The division and team structure will need to be strategized and created by the CTO to deliver maximum value to all stakeholders. The Product Development division works closely with the customers, internal business units, and corporate staff departments, including IT, to provide solution-based products.

Key Responsibilities

This position plans and drives the product development division to develop and deliver dynamic technology and data-based products and services to customers and departments within the Company. Key responsibilities include:

• Creates new Product Development Division; leads, develops, and prioritizes initiatives and investments.
• Directs the governance, design, development, and maintenance of technology product systems, programs, and software to anticipate and meet the needs of the external customers and internal employees.
• Build revenue streams derived from technology product offerings, develops, and executes the annual budget, sets financial targets, and develops KPIs to meet division goals and obtain profitability.
• Manages an internal staff of approximately ten people across various disciplines along with managing strategic vendor and technology partner relationships.
• Coordinates collaboration across the division stakeholders and departments to solicit feedback on product development strategic initiatives, expectations, and deliverables.
• Develops strategies and plans consistent with industry developments to ensure Company’s product development offerings cost-effectively anticipate (and lead) the needs of customers, divisions, and departments.
• Communicates and connects technology development subjects to and with business leaders, executive team, and divisional advisory councils.
• Has full responsibility for planning, monitoring and managing budgets. Develops revenue streams and manages all P&L responsibilities.
• Requires the consistent exercise of discretion and independent judgment. Sets direction and vision for major department. Establishes priorities, develops policies and allocates resources.
• Develop, evaluate, and improve performance of direct reporting teams, creating a dynamic and high-performance team committed to our customer’s experience while achieving corporate objectives.
• Establish and maintain strong relationships with industry leaders and executive corporate staff. Position is a member of the senior executive management group.

The Candidate

Experience and Professional Qualifications

This leader will have experience in driving innovation and development of technology products and services, with a proven record of bringing new products to market. A dynamic leader is required to focus on supporting employee’s growth and fostering a work culture of empowerment and creativity.

• 10-15 years’ progressive management experience in technical IT positions, with increasing levels of responsibility, with deep experience in product development and delivery. Experience as a CTO/CIO a plus.
• Experience working with Product Information Management systems, CRM systems, customer data portals, POS systems, and digital tools. Effective and proven technology team leader.
• Excellent verbal and interpersonal skills. Problem solver with strong analytical skills.
• Must have strong people skills to influence all levels of business management and with vendors.
• Experience in starting a new department, and IT governance and change management with complex, long-cycle systems and projects.

Skills and Competencies

• Excellent communication skills, with the capability of articulating the company’s ongoing strategic product/education/marketing vision into sound operating business plans and processes, and charisma necessary to effectively focus and motivate employees and partners.
• Ability to develop and deliver high-impact presentations. Work requires professional written and verbal communication and interpersonal skills. Interaction with individuals at all levels of business and a wide range of constituencies in a diverse community.
• Ability to motivate teams and simultaneously manage several projects, both long and short-term in nature, and drive multiple initiatives.
• Has customer-centric mindset with a specialty, service-oriented approach.
• Skilled at identifying, recruiting, and retaining teams.

SE# 510670369