IT Director

JOB SUMMARY

The IT Director is responsible for ensuring the effective and efficient operation of the department, and to ensure that the work of the department is aligned with organizational objectives and requirements while supporting and enabling the use of technology to meet the diverse needs of a multi-faceted, service oriented public entity. This position represents the department and the County in meetings with other governmental agencies, vendors, service providers and professional organizations.

Under administrative direction and in partnership with departments, this position plans, organizes, directs, reviews and evaluates programs and activities of a centralized information technology department to provide reliable, secure, and efficient technology solutions. Enables the use of technology to improve operations and outcomes for departments and the public. Directs organization wide information, collaboration and communications systems. Works closely with decision makers to identify, recommend, develop, implement, justify, and support cost-effective technology solutions for all aspects of the organization.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES

Essential Duties:

• Strategic IT Leadership & Planning - Develop and maintain a county-wide information technology strategic plan that includes IT infrastructure, communications technologies, IT application system, collaboration platforms and IT services, aligned with organizational goals and public service priorities. Proactively identify opportunities to leverage technology to improve operational efficiency, enhance departmental output, and expand the County’s capacity to deliver critical services to its residents, while optimizing IT investments and resource utilization.
• Talent Management & Leadership - Assess and define the resource and skill needs of the IT Organization. Recruit, develop, and retain a high-performing IT workforce. Provide leadership that strengthens organizational capacity and fosters staff development, engagement, and job satisfaction. Plans, Organizes, assigns, directs, reviews, and evaluates the work of professional, technical and support staff directly and through subordinate managers and supervisors. Promote a culture of continuous improvement by identifying opportunities to enhance team performance, streamline processes, and embed best practices into daily operations while fostering a culture of innovation, accountability, and service excellence.
• Technology Governance & Policy Development - Establish and oversee IT governance frameworks, policies, standards, procedures, and service levels including IT operations, data governance, cybersecurity, system access, procurement, and disaster recovery. Work closely with the County’s Corporation Counsel’s office to ensure policies are legally sound, up to date, and compliant with applicable laws and regulations.
• Cybersecurity Oversight & Risk Management - Lead the county’s cybersecurity strategy, including risk assessments, incident response planning, and compliance with applicable regulations (e.g., CJIS, HIPAA, IRS Pub. 1075). Promote cyber awareness across all county staff and foster a cybersecurity-first culture through training, communication, and proactive engagement.
• IT Budgeting & Financial Management - Develop and administer the county IT budget, ensuring cost-effective technology investments and efficient allocation of resources. Identify opportunities to optimize IT investment across the entire IT budget, manage capital planning, and oversee licensing, contract management, and vendor negotiations. Oversee the development of business case justifications for IT investments. Approve and monitor IT expenditures and manage budget exceptions with full transparency. Ensure budget planning includes a long-term outlook accounting for major projects, required replacements and upgrades.
• Enterprise Systems Oversight - Provide executive oversight of county enterprise systems, including financial, public safety, human resources, permitting, taxation, GIS, document management, and other mission-critical applications.
• Infrastructure & Operations Management - Oversee the design, implementation, and maintenance of county technology infrastructure (network, servers, telecommunications, cloud services, data centers, end-user computing, and service desk/ITSM operations). Oversee the provision of end-user services, including helpdesk operations, IT equipment, and technical support services. Coordinates the IT services provided by the County for multiple public agencies, including cities, townships, and school districts.
• Departmental & Stakeholder Engagement - Partner with elected officials, department heads, courts, public safety, and external agencies to identify technology needs, deliver solutions, and ensure responsive, customer-focused IT services. Actively engage with the County’s senior leadership to ensure IT initiatives are aligned with organizational priorities and objectives. Provide County leadership with complete transparency on IT’s operations, expenditures, projects and budgets.
• Project & Portfolio Management - Collaborate with County management staff to understand technology needs and recommend solutions. Chair the county’s IT Advisory Committee (ITAC), a leadership group responsible for prioritizing key technology initiatives and ensuring full transparency into the IT project portfolio and IT resource allocations. Oversee the county’s IT project portfolio, ensuring projects are delivered on time, within budget, and aligned with strategic priorities. Provide executive sponsorship on major initiatives.
• Innovation & Digital Transformation - Champion modernization efforts that optimize IT investment, simplify systems, and reduce technical debt to enhance operational efficiency. Drive digital transformation initiatives including cloud adoption, automation, interoperability, data analytics, and citizen-facing technology services to improve service delivery across the County.

Important Duties:

• Directs the maintenance of accurate records and files; prepares or directs the preparation of reports, correspondence and other written materials.
• Conducts studies related to the area of assignment; analyzes information, evaluates alternatives and makes recommendations; prepares narrative and statistical reports of findings; develops, revises and implements policies and procedures.
• Uses standard office equipment including a computer in the course of the work; may drive a County or personal vehicle in the course of the work.
• Performs related work as assigned.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by employees assigned this classification. They are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of all job duties performed by personnel so classified.

EMPLOYMENT QUALIFICATIONS

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Strategic thinking and the ability to align IT initiatives with organizational goals and public service priorities.
• Leadership skills necessary to effectively create vision, provide direction, and manage the daily operations and administration of assigned function.
• Talent management abilities, including team development, staff engagement, and succession planning.
• Cybersecurity knowledge, including risk management, regulatory compliance (e.g., CJIS, HIPAA), and threat mitigation.
• IT governance expertise, including policy development, standards implementation, and compliance oversight.
• Financial acumen, including budgeting, cost optimization, capital planning, and vendor contract management.
• Interpersonal skills necessary to communicate with County personnel and the public in situations requiring tact and patience.
• Current and emerging technologies in the field and how those technologies can be applied to the work of the organization to improve outcomes.
• Administrative principles and practices, including goal setting, program and budget development and administration and employee supervision.
• Principles, practices and techniques of information systems management, including systems design, applications analysis and current hardware and software options.
• Change management capabilities to guide adoption of new technologies and processes.
• General operating principles of the type of centralized and departmental hardware and software utilized by the County, including local area networks.
• Equipment and technology related to telecommunications and data communications.
• Research, data analysis and report preparation techniques.
• Contract negotiations and administration principles and practices.
• Planning, organizing and directing systems development, computer operations, telecommunications and related technology programs and services.
• Planning and directing the work of others and training others in work procedures.
• Performance measurement and continuous improvement skills to monitor and enhance IT effectiveness.
• Interpreting, applying and explaining complex policies and regulations.
• Setting priorities, coordinating multiple projects and meeting critical deadlines.
• Using sound, independent judgment within established policy guidelines.
• Preparing clear, concise and effective written materials.
• Establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of the work.

This class description intends to identify the major duties and requirements of the job and should not be interpreted as all-inclusive. Incumbents may be requested to perform job-related duties other than those outlined above and may be required to specific job-related knowledge for successful job performance.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

Duties require sufficient mobility to work in a normal office setting and use standard office equipment including a computer, vision to read printed materials and a computer screen and hearing and speech sufficient to communicate in person or over the telephone.

These requirements may be accommodated for otherwise qualified individuals requiring and requesting such accommodations.

EDUCATION and CERTIFICATIONS

Bachelor’s degree with major coursework in computer science, mathematics, business or public administration or a field related to the work. Possession of an appropriate advanced degree is desirable. ITIL Foundations Certification or higher, PMP Certification and a recognized certification in cybersecurity and risk management is desirable.

EXPERIENCE

Five (5) years of Leadership experience in information technology, preferably in a public agency.