Chief Information Technology Officer

Scion Executive Search has been retained to conduct an immediate search for the Chief Information and Technology Officer for Conservation International
, a global leader in protecting nature for people and the planet. This full-time, hybrid position is based in Arlington, VA.

Conservation International protects nature for the benefit of humanity. Through science, policy, fieldwork, and finance, the organization spotlights and safeguards the most critical places on Earth, advancing solutions that strengthen climate resilience, protect biodiversity, and support people and communities.

With offices in 30 countries and projects spanning more than 100 countries, Conservation International partners with governments, companies, civil society, Indigenous peoples, and local communities to help people and nature thrive together. Since 1987, the organization has combined fieldwork, science, policy, and finance to protect 13 million square kilometers of land and sea. Its marine conservation work spans all five of the world’s oceans, while land-based efforts are concentrated in the tropics, where the planet’s richest reservoirs of biodiversity and carbon are found.

Conservation International’s approach prioritizes both human well-being and environmental outcomes, grounded in respect for human rights, gender equality, and creating sustainable livelihood opportunities for local communities. The organization values local expertise deeply, with the vast majority of program staff coming from the regions where they work, ensuring solutions are designed with an authentic understanding of local context, priorities, and long‑term impact.

Conservation International seeks an outstanding Chief Information and Technology Officer (CITO) to lead its global technology strategy and capabilities. The CITO will ensure AI, digital innovation, data systems, and IT infrastructure actively advance CI’s mission, strengthening organizational effectiveness and accelerating conservation outcomes around the world. As a member of the leadership team, the CITO will serve as a trusted strategic partner to the executive team, guiding digital transformation and positioning CI at the forefront of technology‑enabled conservation.

Reporting to the Chief Operating Officer and partnering closely with leaders across the organization, the CITO will play a central role in enabling both program delivery and core operations. They will develop and drive a clear, pragmatic vision for AI and digital transformation, prioritize and steward investments in digital solutions, and implement best practices that support CI’s work.

The CITO will lead a team of 30+ professionals responsible for enterprise technology operations, computing architecture, business applications, cybersecurity, and day‑to‑day user support and training. The ideal candidate brings a strong commitment to people leadership, with the ability to inspire high performance, build trust, and strengthen a service‑oriented, globally distributed function.

This is an exceptional opportunity for a strategic, change‑savvy, impact‑focused leader to join a high‑growth, mission‑driven global organization where values are central to how work gets done.

• Develop and execute a global IT and digital strategy aligned with CI’s mission and organizational priorities.
• Advise the Executive Team on AI, emerging technologies, and digital innovation, identifying both opportunities and risks.
• Serve as a thought leader on how technology and data can accelerate conservation outcomes worldwide.
• Build and maintain strategic partnerships with technology providers and external partners.

• Oversee enterprise systems architecture, data platforms, cybersecurity, and IT operations across CI’s global offices.
• Champion the use of AI, geospatial technologies, and digital tools to support conservation impact, ecosystem monitoring, and sustainable resource management.
• Translate evolving organizational and programmatic needs into scalable technical solutions and implementation plans.