Chief Technology Officer

Chief Technology Officer

Position Summary:

The Teachers’ Retirement System of Oklahoma seeks a visionary and experienced technology executive to serve as its Chief Technology Officer (CTO). The CTO provides strategic direction for all information technology assets, enterprise systems, cybersecurity posture, and digital transformation initiatives across the agency. The CTO reports directly to the Executive Director and serves as a member of the executive leadership team, advising on technology policy, information technology needs and budgeting, and innovation opportunities in the investment, finance, legal and operations departments that advance the agency's mission and improve services to the public.

The CTO will also serve as the technology executive for an ongoing multi-year pension administration system modernization project.

• Develop, implement, and maintain a multi-year IT strategic plan aligned with the agency's broader strategic plan, mission, operational objectives, and statewide technology policies.
• Advise the Executive Director and executive leadership on emerging technology trends, risks, and opportunities.
• Represent the agency in statewide CTO/CIO councils, interagency technology work groups, and legislative briefings.
• Lead enterprise architecture planning and ensure alignment with state IT standards and the statewide technology blueprint.

• Oversee the design, deployment, operation, and continuous improvement of the agency's IT infrastructure, cloud environments, and enterprise applications.
• Ensure system reliability, availability, and performance across all mission-critical platforms and services.
• Direct vendor and contract management for IT procurements, software licensing, and managed services agreements.
• Oversee IT help desk, end‑user support, and technology asset lifecycle management.

• Establish and maintain a comprehensive information security program in compliance with state and federal regulations (e.g., IRS Pub 1075, NIST, FISMA, CJIS).
• Lead incident response planning, business continuity, and disaster recovery programs.
• Conduct regular risk assessments and ensure timely remediation of vulnerabilities.
• Promote a culture of cybersecurity awareness and compliance throughout the agency.

• Champion digital modernization efforts, including cloud migration, data analytics, artificial intelligence, and process automation.
• Drive customer‑centric design principles in member‑facing applications and digital services.
• Partner with agency divisions to identify technology solutions that improve operational efficiency and service delivery.
• Evaluate and pilot emerging technologies with a focus on measurable outcomes and return on investment.

• Develop and manage the agency's IT operating and capital budget, including forecasting, procurement, and expenditure reporting.
• Establish and enforce IT governance policies, standards, and project management frameworks (e.g., PMBOK, Agile, ITIL).
• Ensure compliance with state procurement laws, accessibility requirements (ADA/Section 508), and open records obligations.
• Prepare and present technology investment proposals, project status reports, and performance metrics to agency leadership and oversight bodies.
• Serve as the agency's primary point of contact for IT audits conducted by or in conjunction with the State Auditor, legislative oversight bodies, or external reviewers.

• Recruit, develop, and retain a high‑performing IT workforce, including both on‑staff and contractor roles; foster an inclusive, collaborative team culture.
• Define organizational structure, roles, and career development pathways within the IT division.
• Set performance expectations, conduct evaluations, and address personnel matters in compliance with state HR policies.
• Mentor staff and promote ongoing technical training and professional development opportunities.

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, Information Systems, or a closely related field. (A master's…