Deputy Chief Information Officer

Distinguishing Features of the Class

The Deputy Chief Information Officer (Deputy CIO) reports directly to the Chief Information Officer (CIO) and is designated as a non-classified, at-will position. This executive-level role is responsible for leading multiple IT sections or teams, including various service areas and sub-teams, which are directly supervised or supported by IT Supervisors, IT System Administrators, and other IT-related Directors.

The Deputy CIO independently manages multiple assigned technical areas with considerable latitude, balancing customer and technical demands with IT resources. Effective communication using both business and technical terminology across all organizational levels and service providers is required. The Deputy CIO ensures the success of a wide variety of technologies and is expected to be available 24/7 for urgent situations. This position also collaborates with the CIO to plan, direct, and manage strategic and operational IT initiatives and resources.

Typical Work Activities

• Provide technical and non-technical guidance, direction, and authorization for IT projects; address technology opportunities and challenges.

• Develop and implement IT-related policies and procedures.

• Manage business relationships with department leadership to support technology requirements.

• Participate in City management meetings, including Cabinet-level meetings, Common Council agenda reviews, and other strategic forums.

• Monitor budget expenditures and ensure adherence to assigned budgets.

• Coordinate and support IT strategies and resources across multiple IT sections/teams.

• Ensure professional development of IT staff to meet the City’s business and technical demands.

• Perform other duties as directed by the CIO or designee.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, and Personal Characteristics

Knowledge:

• Wide variety of technologies implemented and supported by department-specific and enterprise-wide systems.

• Homegrown applications and systems.

• IT department operations, procedures, and best practices.

• Industry trends in information technology.

• Strategic and operational planning, business analysis methodologies, and project management techniques.

• General functions and needs of all City of Buffalo departments.

• Principles of resource, change, and asset management.

• Supervision, performance management, and professional development of technical staff.

• Laws, policies, and regulations governing the purchase of commodities and services for the City.

Ability:

• Manage and balance customer and technical demands with IT resources.

• Manage business relationships and address technology opportunities and challenges.

• Provide technical and non-technical guidance, direction, and training.

• Develop long- and short-term IT plans, policies, and procedures.

• Exercise initiative and creativity in the improvement and implementation of IT programs and services.

• Deliver oral and written presentations to internal and external audiences.

• Oversee service level agreements to ensure customer needs are met.

• Integrate IT resources and customer needs to achieve measurable strategic goals.

• Manage multiple projects or services simultaneously.

• Communicate and negotiate with vendors regarding technology, issues, and contracts.

• Analyze complex systems to develop practical solutions.

• Coordinate and evaluate the work of assigned staff in conjunction with project and team leaders.

• Translate technical information into clear, non-technical language.

• Complete administrative functions, such as timekeeping and approvals.

• Monitor budget expenditures.

Personal Characteristics:

• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with IT staff, client departments, and divisions.

• Communicate effectively with department directors, management, Common Council, and the public.

• Train and instruct staff on technical and non-technical topics.

• Possess strong analytical skills to guide data compilation and decision-making.

• Demonstrate thoughtful, non-reactive judgment when confronted with personnel or technical challenges.

Preferred Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited college or university in Computer Science, Business Administration/Management, Public Administration, Project Management, or a closely related field.

• Extensive experience (5+ years) in IT management or project leadership.

• Extensive experience (5+ years) in managing, supervising, or coordinating multiple, concurrent large-scale systems or services.