Vice President, Technology

Position Summary

Provides digital transformation leadership, strategic vision, and drives the modernization of the CTA’s systems and technologies—including enterprise systems, public transit systems, platforms and end‑user computing, communications systems and infrastructure (network, fiber, wireless and wired)—to improve efficiency of CTA’s services, safety, and customer experience. Establishes and directs the strategic long‑term goals, policies, and procedures for the CTA’s Technology department to support an innovation‑focused culture and mindset with training, skills development, and change management for all Technology employees.

Directs the strategy and procedures for acquiring, deploying, maintaining, supporting, or replacing software and hardware assets adhering to CTA’s policies and procedures. Establishes and directs the strategy for protecting, storing, and retrieving CTA’s data, on‑premise and in the cloud. Manages multi‑million dollar contracts, grants, and IT capital investments, and ensures the IT resources of the CTA integrate technology into the strategic and operational plans of the CTA.

Salary: $ – $

• Develop and implement a digital transformation roadmap and strategic vision for modernizing CTA’s technologies.
• Manage the development, implementation, maintenance, and support of emerging and existing systems and technologies at the CTA, including both operational and administrative software systems and associated hardware, voice/video/data networks, data warehouse and data lakes, security systems, wired and wireless infrastructure, and all associated telecommunication systems and devices.
• Champion adoption of contemporary and emerging technologies to modernize CTA’s applications, systems and platforms, tele‑communication infrastructure, public transit systems and public safety systems and technologies to support and further the mission of the CTA.
• Establish and implement a strategic data plan for data storage and compliance, access, data warehouse expansion and cloud migration.
• Lead enterprise telecommunication and network infrastructure modernization programs with a strategic approach to improve reliability, performance and coverage across CTA’s facilities and field operations. Perform audits of all legacy technologies and continue oversight of the maintenance and support of a fiber optic infrastructure, subway cellular infrastructure, UHF infrastructure and IP telephone infrastructure.
• Direct lifecycle management and continuous improvements of CTA’s enterprise systems, transit and public safety technology including control center systems, dispatch/communications platforms, camera and video platforms, radio infrastructure, incident management, transit tracking, digital signage and public address systems. Utilize standard methodologies and quality assurance practices that reflect industry best practices.
• Lead creation and continual refinement of IT strategy and projects in cooperation with CTA leadership, departments, staff, and outside consultant staff.
• Direct and ensure implementation of IT strategy and best practices for proactive management of IT assets and infrastructure.
• Direct and ensure that customer/client IT needs are translated into tangible project goals and schedules. Oversee the composition and research of project specifications methodology and procedures.
• Direct IT Operations (multiple service desks and field support) establishing ITIL-based processes for incident, problem, change and release management with measurable Service Level Agreements.
• In partnership with CTA’s Cyber Security team, oversee the implementation of information security infrastructure, systems, procedures, and standards to protect all data of the CTA from cyber security threats.
• Effectively manage multiple IT contracts and vendors, grants and budget funding.
• Collaborate with CTA Finance department to ensure proper management and record‑keeping of multi‑million dollar capital grant investments. Collaborate with CTA Procurement to ensure proper management and record keeping of multi‑million dollar contracts.
• Lead cloud and emerging technology functions, including…