Chief Information Officer (CIO)

Company: Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission
Location: Laurel
Posted on: May 24, 2025

Job Description:

Regular business hours. Extended hours expected.Position LocationLaurelPosition Summary InformationGeneral SummaryThe Chief Information Officer (CIO) will be a transformational leader with expertise in smart utility implementation and digital transformation, technology innovation, modernization of information technology platforms and data management as well as cyber security and cyber resilience. The Chief Information Officer will develop, plan, and implement an information technology (IT) strategy that meets WSSC Water's business needs and service delivery requirements which delivers optimal return on investment, and maintains a secure environment.The successful candidate will understand how to best manage data, manage risk, and grow a high performing and efficient team in IT with a focus on inclusion and improving the workplace culture. The CIO will be a trusted member of the Senior Leadership team and expected to partner with the team on all matters pertaining to information technology, innovation, digitalization, integration of smart water solutions and enhancing the customer and employee experience. The CIO will be solution-oriented and proactive in identifying opportunities to improve systems and infrastructure as well as identifying efficiencies and cost containment measures. The CIO will have the expertise to lead continuous improvements in our cyber security posture and ensure the utility is cyber resilient. The selected CIO will have prior experience in leveraging external partnerships to advance information technology and management at WSSC Water.The CIO will embody the core values of the Commission. This position serves in a confidential, policy-making, and public contracting role.Essential Functions

• Responsible for achieving a fully integrated, secure and manageable enterprise information technology (IT) architecture.
• Suggest, develop and implement policies and processes that improve WSSC Water's return on technology investments while strengthening performance and securing IT infrastructure.
• Leads and manages WSSC Water's strategy for enterprise information management and strategic priorities impacting information technology.
• Serves as an organizational strategic business partner facilitating process, operational, administrative and customer service improvements as well as change management and innovation.
• Establish/maintain IT vision, leadership and planning for achieving annual and longer-term enterprise goals and initiatives to fully implement activities in alignment with the strategic priorities of the Commission.
• Oversees the development and execution of comprehensive information systems and data security plans to protect the integrity and resilience of WSSC Water's data and digital assets.
• Executes enterprise information and technology initiatives in accordance with industry best practices.
• Leads governance structure that aligns information technology and management systems with both strategic enterprise and business operations priorities.
• Provides vision and leadership in the development and implementation of technology and systems to maintain and continuously improve WSSC Water's utility operations, business systems and customer services.
• Assesses existing, as well as define and implement optimal IT architecture.
• Supervises employees including selecting or recommending selection, training, assigning and evaluating work, coaching, counseling, disciplining, and/or termination or recommending termination.
• Develops and implements policies and processes that strengthen the Department's structure and performance.
• Identifies and implements processes and technology to ensure information is appropriately and securely managed across the Commission to address current and future needs.
• Establishes and enforces standards and policies for governing information assets of all types and for guiding the work of teams involved in creating, managing, analyzing and using information.
• Assesses, selects and implements Commercial Off the Shelf (COTS) products to replace legacy systems.
• Provides oversight and direction to ensure the security, confidentiality and reliability of company data, systems and intellectual property.
• Develops strategic plans and partnerships that ensure that baseline technology infrastructure meets the current and planned needs of all WSSC Water Teams.
• Supports the acquisition and maintenance of adequate cybersecurity insurance coverage by ensuring existing systems and IT policies and processes comply with underwriting requirements.
• Develops and implements plans that provide for IT Security, Disaster Recovery, and Business Continuity.
• Develops a strategy that will make GIS an enterprise service within WSSC Water.
• Maintains control over the WSSC Water computing environment by establishing comprehensive, formal policies and procedures, including configuration control.
• Makes effective use of WSSC Water's technology, information resources, and human resources.
• Sets and maintains standards and controls over software development, acquisition and deployment.
• Regularly appears before the Commission to support requests, provide briefings and information regarding all IT matters.
• Provides meaningful direct or indirect input into the WSSC policy-making process.
• Provides substantial intervention or collaboration in the formulation of WSSC public policy.
• Has access to highest level confidential information, including all financial records, investments strategies, personnel records, vendor commercial and pricing information.
• Oversees projects and assignments within the IT department including prioritizing the project portfolio.
• Leads efficient operation of the team so that prompt modernization and upgrades of information systems are performed, as needed and when required.
• Conducts performance evaluations that are timely and constructive.
• Collaborates with members of the Senior Leadership Team and other stakeholders to identify ways IT can assist WSSC Water departments in achieving goals and objectives.
• Develops and manages the IT Department budget including IT expenditures for the Commission.Other Functions
  • Proactively manage cyber security risk and respond to threats.
  • Blends process with flexibility to guarantee both consistency and responsiveness.
  • Provides oversight and direction to ensure the interoperability of different technologies.
  • Leads/coaches/develops/motivates the WSSC Water information technology workforce.
  • Performs other related duties, as required.Work Environment And Physical DemandsBusiness casual office setting.Required Knowledge, Skills, And Abilities
    • Thorough understanding of information technology, information management and information technology systems with core competencies in strategic planning, technology assessment and acquisition, process improvement, policy, system architecture, innovation, digitalization, and cyber resilience.
    • Knowledge of the business of water/wastewater utility management with a comfort level in digital transformation.
    • Extensive knowledge regarding cybersecurity best practices for the water sector, and EPA's cybersecurity mandates, with an ability to lead continuous improvements to reduce the risk of cybersecurity threats for greater cyber security/resiliency.
    • Financial stewardship and value creation with an ability to drive business outcomes with a focus on efficiency and cost reduction/containment.
    • Comprehensive knowledge of emerging technology including artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning and predictive analytics with an ability to develop, execute and operationalize a strategy to leverage AI, machine learning and predictive analytics capabilities while mitigating risks.
    • Ability to effectively and seamlessly drive large change initiatives.
    • Ability to enhance IT skills across the organization and build a strong leadership team in IT.
    • Ability to communicate and collaborate across the organization to build effective working relationships at all levels.
    • Ability to build, modernize and maintain the application portfolio and IT infrastructure with a focus on the Cloud.
    • Ability to proactively identify opportunities to improve systems and infrastructure and provide solutions that transition from status quo operating environment by deploying emerging technology when appropriate.
    • Ability to manage sourcing strategy and build strong vendor relationships.
    • Ability to drive performance and results-based management.
    • Ability to align IT objectives and programs to Commission strategies and objectives.
    • Ability to develop, manage, and coordinate operating and capital budget for IT Department and Commission's overall IT budget for software, hardware, systems, and services.
    • Ability to optimize use of in-house and outsourced resources.
    • Ability to define key performance metrics for IT and develop regular reports on performance status.
    • Strong and decisive leadership, strategic planning, analytical thinking and problem-solving skills.
    • Ability to establish a vision and strategies for IT and digital transformation and capture in an annual work plan.
    • Ability to motivate the workforce and lead others in uncertain and changing situations and circumstances; adept at managing change.
    • Strong project management, business acumen and negotiation skills.
    • Experience with large Customer Service Applications (billing, Collections, Call Management) in a utility environment including AMI.
    • Experience supporting a high-volume call center environment.
    • Experience operating in a 24/7/365 environment support health and safety solutions impacting a large service territory.
    • Comfortable managing hybrid environments including on-premises, private cloud and vendor cloud environments.
    • Experience with IOT solutions in the utility sector including pressure, flow, level, water quality monitoring.Minimum Education, Experience Requirements
      • Bachelor's degree in Information Technology or a related discipline.
      • 12+ years information technology or information management experience, with progressive management experience including at the senior/executive level.Experience leveraging partnerships to advance information technology and management.Additional RequirementsCompletion of the WSSC Water Financial Disclosure statement within 30 days of employment and annually thereafter.PreferencesMaster's degree in Management Information Systems, Computer Science, Information Management or related discipline is preferred.Salary$286,087 - $487,121EEO StatementAN EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYERIt is the policy of the Commission to select new employees and to promote current employees without regard to race, sexual orientation, sex, religion, national origin, marital status, or handicap. The Commission does not discriminate against qualified individuals with a disability and will make reasonable accommodation for any disability that does not result in undue hardship for the Commission.Close DateOpen Until Filled YesSpecial Instructions to ApplicantsAll applicants selected will be subject to drug screening and a background check/verification.Supplemental QuestionsRequired fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).
        • * Will you, now or in the future, require sponsorship for employment visa status?
          • Yes
          • No
          • Are you an eligible veteran of any branch of the armed forces who has received an honorable discharge or Certificate of Satisfactory Completion of Military Service, the spouse of an eligible veteran who has a service-connected disability or the surviving spouse of a deceased eligible veteran?
            • Yes
            • No
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Keywords: Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission, Biloxi , Chief Information Officer (CIO), Executive , Laurel, Mississippi