What is this career opportunity?The Chief Technology Officer (CTO) provides enterprise-wide technology leadership for the State of Montana, setting strategic direction for enterprise architecture and application development in alignment with statewide IT transformation goals.
The CTO owns the "how" of technology delivery for the enterprise, including the architectural patterns, technical standards, development methodologies, platform selections, integration models, and quality and security requirements that govern how solutions are designed and built across state government. This role leads and develops the leaders of each functional team, holds them accountable for outcomes, and removes barriers to execution rather than directing day-to-day technical work.
Embracing artificial intelligence is a core expectation of this position. The CTO is expected to lead an AI-forward technology organization, personally using AI to accelerate architectural analysis, technology evaluation, code and design review, and managerial decision making. The CTO drives the adoption of AI-enabled architecture, development, and testing tooling across the Office of Technology Development, sets the expectation that engineering and architecture teams integrate AI into daily practice, and ensures all adoption aligns with statewide AI governance, security, and policy standards. The CTO also partners with the Office of AI to ensure enterprise architecture and engineering practices are positioned to deliver AI-enabled solutions at scale.
As the primary technology leader for SITSD, the CTO partners with the Deputy CIO, State CIO, fellow Chief Officers, agency CIOs, and the Integration Transition Team to ensure Montana's technology investments are sound, sustainable, and mission aligned. Working closely with the Chief Product Officer, who owns the "what" and "why," the CTO ensures the "how" is technically executable and architecturally coherent. Working closely with the Chief Enterprise Service Delivery Officer, the CTO ensures those decisions are operationally supportable.
This position reports to the Deputy CIO for Core IT Services.
What are we looking for?Education and Experience:- A Bachelor's degree in Information Technology, Business, Computer Science, Engineering, or a related field
- Seven years of progressively responsible experience in enterprise technology leadership, including at least three years in an executive or senior leadership role overseeing technology teams and functions.
- Preferred:
o Master's degree in Information Technology, Business Administration, Public Administration, or a related field.
o Experience in state or local government IT or product leadership.
o Experience leading product or technology organizations through large-scale transformation in a complex, multi-stakeholder environment.
Competencies:Required knowledge, skills, and abilities:
- Ability to lead large-scale organizational change efforts with measurable outcomes.
- Ability to translate strategy into practical implementation.
- Proven ability to lead leaders; setting direction, delegating effectively, and holding team managers accountable for outcomes.
- Experience building and sustaining high-performing teams through clear expectations, coaching, and a culture of accountability and continuous improvement.
- Ability to translate enterprise strategy into clear direction and measurable outcomes across multiple functional teams.
- Experience aligning diverse stakeholders; across agencies, executive leadership, and technical teams; around shared technology goals.
- Ability to engage, challenge, and advise senior leaders on complex technology decisions with significant organizational impact.
Does this sound like you?Please tell us how and why by submitting your
resume and cover letter. (Please Note: You do not need to complete the "work experience" or the "education & certifications" portion of the application process in our recruiting system. You only need to upload the requested documentation.)
What can you expect from us in return for your hard work?o Work/life Balance
o Health Coverage
o Retirement plans
o Paid Vacation and Sick Leave and Holidays
o And more...
Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) - Employment with the State of Montana may qualify you to receive student loan forgiveness under the PSLF.
Other important information to be aware of.- This position requires the successful completion of a criminal background check.
