Director, Information Technology

Reimagine Executive Talent. Support Public Service.

The County of Santa Clara is not just any government agency - it's a premiere public agency known for technological ambition, operational excellence, and forward-thinking leadership. With a workforce of over 23,000 employees across 30+ departments, the County delivers essential services in health, social services, public safety, housing, and core government operations. Our teams are driven by a shared commitment to provide for the needs of a dynamic community, provide quality services, and promote a healthy, safe, and prosperous community.

To meet the evolving technology needs of our public safety and justice systems, we are seeking a strategic, collaborative, and visionary technology leader who understands the critical intersection of innovation, mission-critical systems, interoperability, and security.

As the Director of Information Technology, with a primary emphasis on public safety and justice, you will not simply guide systems - you will help shape the digital foundation that supports law enforcement, corrections, emergency response, and community protection in one of the most dynamic regions in the nation. This is your opportunity to build a secure, resilient, integrated technology environment that directly enhances public safety and community services for millions of residents.

Your Mission

Lead the development and execution of a cohesive technology vision that strengthens the County's public safety and justice ecosystem. Reporting directly to the Chief Information Officer, you will oversee complex, mission critical technology platforms, coordinate enterprise-wide systems integrations, and ensure that the County's investments elevate both operational efficiency and excellence in service.

What Makes This Role Unique

Mission Critical Impact:
You will support the technology backbone of the Sheriff's Office Enforcement and Custody Bureaus, Probation Department, District Attorney's Office, Public Defender's Office, County 911 Communications, Office of Emergency Management, and related public safety and justice partners. These systems must be highly secure, interoperable, reliable, and responsive 24/7.

Public Safety Driven

Innovation: From data interoperability to digital evidence systems, field mobility, emergency communications, and case management platforms - you will help modernize how public safety and justice agencies serve and protect the community.

Enterprise Leadership:
You will serve on IT governance boards that shape Countywide technology direction, focusing on mission critical systems, cross department workflows, and the technology infrastructure that connects public safety operations with broader County services.

Equity & Community Trust:
Technology plays a defining role in equitable justice. You will help ensure systems are transparent, ethical, and designed to support fair outcomes for all residents.

View the full job specification on our career site.

What You'll Do

Strategic Technology Leadership

* Lead development and deployment of integrated, enterprise-wide public safety and justice technology systems aligned with County values and operational needs.

* Anticipate future requirements such as next generation 911, digital evidence expansion, secure mobility tools, data privacy, and cross agency collaboration platforms.

* Strengthen governance and oversight to ensure high-quality, cost-effective services supporting safety critical operations.

People Leadership

* Guide, mentor, and develop IT teams with a focus on the unique demands of public safety and justice environments.

* Set vision, standards, and expectations for high reliability, rapid response, and excellence in mission critical technology support.

* Build team capabilities in cybersecurity, data integration, system interoperability, and emerging technologies.

Operational & Financial Stewardship

* Direct large scale technology projects across multiple justice partners, ensuring delivery of secure, compliant, on time, on budget solutions.

* Oversee resource allocation and investments to modernize public safety systems and improve operational readiness.

* Establish transparent SLAs to support uptime, continuity of operations, emergency response needs, and customer satisfaction.

Change Management & Innovation

* Modernize legacy justice systems with modern cloud, data, analytics, and mobility tools.

* Lead change initiatives that balance innovation with safety, confidentiality, and legal requirements.

* Represent the County on committees shaping integrated public safety and justice technology solutions.

What You Bring

* A bachelor's degree in computer science, Information Systems, Business/Public Administration, or a related field.

* Ten to fifteen years of IT leadership experience in complex organizations, with expertise in public safety or justice systems, or sensitive, mission critical technology domains.

* At least five years in senior level IT management over seeing high risk, high impact technology…