Reporting to the Chief Administrative Officer (CAO), the Chief Information Officer (CIO) is the highest Information Technology (IT) leadership role at the SFPUC and partners with the organization’s leadership team at every level. The CIO is responsible for developing and executing an IT strategy tied to the SFPUC’s business objectives and ensuring the secure and efficient operation of network infrastructure, enterprise applications, operational technology, communication systems, project management, and the cybersecurity environment. The CIO is also responsible for all SFPUC technology procurement, contracts and budgets.

Through effective IT governance, and in partnership with the CAO, the CIO will dynamically balance the range of technology needs across the SFPUC’s utility enterprises and central support divisions—Water, Wastewater, and Power operations, Business Services, Engineering and Construction, and Administrative Services. Current priorities include improvements to Human Capital Management, Operational Technology, Customer Service and Billing, Legacy System replacement, Contract Compliance, Artificial Intelligence, Professionalized IT Project Management, and Cybersecurity. Partnering with executive leadership, the CIO will have the opportunity to impact not only these areas but to help refine and set additional priorities for shaping the organization long term.

This role is a prime leadership opportunity for the right candidate. The 100+ member IT professional team has stability, deep subject matter expertise and a desire for innovation, process improvement, employee professional growth and development. The current IT leadership team has in-depth knowledge of each of their respective areas, is customer service focused, embraces employee engagement and works collaboratively to ensure IT provides consistent service to customers. The selected CIO needs to foster next level growth that does not disrupt the stable service delivery model that has been created.

Essential duties and responsibilities include:

• IT Strategy - Leads development of SFPUC’s IT strategic plan and roadmap; oversees integration with SFPUC’s strategic planning process and associated business strategies and plans; serves on SFPUC and City planning and policymaking committees; drives the development of enterprise technology standards, governance processes and performance metrics.

• IT Infrastructure - Monitors changes and advancements in IT technology relevant to utility operations; introduces new technologies and platforms; provides strategic direction on new solutions and innovation; advises what emerging informational and operational technologies should be assimilated, integrated, and introduced to respond to the needs of SFPUC’s digital business strategy; develops data governance policies for the overall organization; administers and enforces the SFPUC’s IT policies and procedures; establishes a disciplined and coordinated approach to all data and analytics activities.

• IT User Support - Provides direction and oversight for the design, development, operation, and support of IT systems and programs that fulfill the needs of the business, including enterprise architecture management, application management, security and risk management, infrastructure and utility operations support management; delivers training for technology and platforms to enhance the experience of internal and external customers; designs and implements the IT operating model, organizational structure, and governance process; uses influence and negotiation skills to create synergies across the organization to enable cost-effective and innovative shared solutions to achieve business goals; ensures IT’s contributions are proactively delivered with reliability, sustainability, cost-effectiveness; and agility based on changing business objectives, goals and strategies; establishes and maintains operating and development standards and service level agreements under which IT will function and provide service.

• Digital Business - Participates and partners with the SFPUC’s leadership team to drive culture change in support of digital business transformation; collaborates with SFPUC leadership and business partners to define and execute SFPUC’s digital business strategy; participates in and contributes to the assessment of external digital opportunities for and threats to utilities; drives internal technology capabilities to achieve desired competitive positioning.

• Cybersecurity – Leads, maintains and continues to improve  SFPUC’s cybersecurity program, in partnership with the Chief Information Security Officer (CISO), to ensure the protection of digital data and information systems through frequent and comprehensive reviews and upgrades; develops and coordinates programs and procedures to ensure overall security, confidentiality, integrity, and accessibility of data and network software; manages risks through the effective design, delivery and management of IT capabilities. Participates and responds to audits and maintains compliance with CCSF, State and Federal Cybersecurity mandates for IT and Utility Services Infrastructure.

• Leadership and Management - Directs and manages the activities of the IT department; selects, trains, and reviews performance of assigned staff; plans and assigns work in alignment with SFPUC’s values; provides leadership, coaching and direction to the IT leadership team and staff; develops and maintains an IT workforce with the appropriate mix of business knowledge, technical skills and competencies; balances the need for growing the agility required to achieve digital business objectives with ensuring the core IT functions are reliable, stable and efficient; continually assess organizational structure and propose changes based on organizational needs; leads the establishment and execution of a digital workplace strategy that enables the development of digital dexterity in the workforce; ensures employees have the tools and work environment to be engaged, productive and effective; partners with HR to continually look for leading-edge and innovative solutions to the recruitment, development and retention of the IT workforce.

• Strategic Alignment, Agency Engagement and Governance - Aligns the operating model for information and technology to foster a business needs-oriented and collaborative culture, characterized by supportive mindsets and practices; establishes and maintains positive working relationships with SFPUC’s Water, Wastewater and Power enterprises and support bureaus; builds and oversees a governance model for setting and tracking IT priorities with agency leadership; serves as a trusted advisor to ensure all SFPUC leaders can make informed decisions about the application of IT solutions within their units as well as across the organization.

• Budget Management and Cost Control - Develops and controls the annual operating and capital expenditure budget for IT to ensure SFPUC’s investment in technologies is consistent with the organization’s overall strategic objectives and is within plan; enhances IT’s capabilities by leveraging a multitude of resources, both internally and externally; directs the development of the IT sourcing strategy and provides executive oversight for strategic vendor and partner relationship management.

• Regulatory Compliance - Monitors existing and proposed federal, state, and local laws and statutes affecting IT standards; implements changes as necessary.

The 0943 Manager VIII Chief Information Officer will perform other related duties as assigned.

THE IDEAL CANDIDATE

SFPUC is seeking a results-oriented Chief Information Officer who possesses a current knowledge and a future vision for leveraging information and operational technology to support operations, enhance performance, and facilitate service improvements. They value the fact that decisions and priorities at SFPUC are driven by business needs and understand that technology is an important tool for achieving organizational goals. They have a track record of producing results and possesses strong business acumen. They set clear expectations on delivery priorities; lead budget development linked to those priorities; and create accountability mechanisms and standards for delivery.

The ideal candidate is a servant leader with high emotional intelligence and excellent interpersonal, listening, conflict resolution skills. They are skilled in defining and articulating an organization-wide IT vision and strategy and effective at gaining buy-in for its implementation. They have strong communication, collaboration, political, and advocacy skills and relate well to people at all levels. They understand the challenges of being part of a complex structure and are aware of the opportunities that come with the complexity. They are adept at restructuring teams, developing talent and organizing stakeholders to meet new needs and address potential misalignment. They are skilled at developing a learning organization that fosters an innovative mindset among staff and stakeholders. They can move teams from a tactical to a strategic focus. They are not afraid to take calculated risks and are adept at advocating for others to be willing to take risks.

With respect to leadership skills, the ideal candidate has an educator mentality and a coaching mindset. They are skilled at setting the vision for their team and focusing staff to meet it. They foster employee engagement and an inclusive, psychologically safe work environment. They practice proactive workforce management; know how to attract and retain the best talent; and are skilled at developing people, particularly inspiring leaders.

The best qualified candidate will have excellent oral and written communication skills and will be effective in building trust and gaining the cooperation of others through discussion and persuasion. The patience to work in a central- office managed system will be an asset as will be previous experience in a large, complex, multi-site organization.

Finally, the successful candidate will be devoted to ensuring that SFPUC’s mission, vision and values are honored and upheld. They will deliver excellent customer service; ensure impeccable stewardship of resources; promote long-term financial sustainability; cultivate a culture of excellence; and prioritize equity and inclusion in the workplace.