Chief Information Technology Officer - Chicago Public Schools : Job Details

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Posting Date: Jul 15, 2025, 10:41:57 AM

Position Type : Non-Union Position

Overtime Status: Exempt

JOB DESCRIPTION ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Chicago Public Schools (CPS) is a district on the rise, serving over 325,000 students in 600+ schools and employing over 45,000 people, most of them teachers. CPS has set ambitious goals to ensure that every student, in every school and every neighborhood, has access to a world-class learning experience that prepares each for success in college, career, and civic life. Aligned with our transformed philosophy, we are steadfastly focused on ensuring that the District provides resources equitably to support every student, every school, and every community. Six core values guide the work we do every day for our students – student-centered, whole child, equity, academic excellence, community partnership, and continuous learning. Each role in the district supports our vision that every student deserves a rigorous, joyful, and equitable learning experience.

The Office of Information and Technology Services (ITS) works to build the capacity of schools to use information and technology, maintain network infrastructure, security standards, and support other departments to meet district goals. ITS provides innovative technology solutions that improve the quality of education for students, reduce the administrative burden on educators, facilitate parent interaction, increase community engagement, and support CPS' mission of transparency by focusing on the ease and equity of access to information.

Job Summary:

The Chief Information Technology Officer (CITO) provides visionary, districtwide leadership for CPS's technology strategy and operations. Reporting to the Chief Operating Officer, the CITO oversees all aspects of information technology, including cybersecurity, network infrastructure, enterprise applications, digital equity initiatives, instructional technology, and AI innovation. This executive will lead a portfolio of high-impact programs, including a multi-million dollar enterprise systems migration, a 10-year network infrastructure modernization, and the expansion of student-centered digital services aligned with CPS's equity-driven goals.

The Chief Information Technology Officer will be held accountable for the following responsibilities:

• Provide strategic technology leadership.
• Set the district's multi-year technology vision aligned to the CPS Strategic Plan, with emphasis on cybersecurity, instructional technology, digital equity, AI implementation, and ERP modernization.
• Serve as a key advisor to the CEO, COO, and Board on technology investments, data systems, digital access, and operational performance.
• Develop and lead the district's long-term technology modernization roadmap, including major enterprise system upgrades (ERP, SIS), digital learning platforms, and infrastructure transformation.
• Lead the District's instructional technology & digital equity initiatives.
• Ensure equitable access to high-speed internet, devices, and digital tools for all students, educators, and families.
• Lead CPS's participation in Chicago Connected and other digital equity initiatives, providing no-cost internet access and bridging the digital divide.
• Collaborate with Teaching & Learning and Schools to integrate technology into curriculum, professional development, and classroom instruction.
• Champion AI use for instructional personalization, student engagement, and operational efficiency across CPS.
• Oversee cybersecurity and data governance strategy, policy, and operations.
• Ensuring protection of student/staff data and compliance with SOPPA, FERPA, and HIPAA.
• Develop robust data governance and master data management systems to ensure real-time access, analytics, and decision support.
• Establish enterprise risk management protocols and lead incident response planning in collaboration with legal and emergency management teams.
• Oversee enterprise systems, network, and operations.
• Direct all IT infrastructure operations including data centers, network services, cloud platforms, telecommunications, and enterprise applications.
• Oversee the successful implementation of the new Oracle Cloud Fusion ERP system, consolidating finance, HR, procurement, and payroll functions.
• Increase bandwidth across all schools, scale network capacity, and manage systems performance for 10+ years of sustainability.
• Lead integration and user adoption of digital systems including PowerSchool, Google Workspace, Microsoft tools, and instructional software.
• Provide effective organizational management and stakeholder engagement.
• Lead and develop a high-performing IT organization with a focus on talent development, performance management, and customer service.
• Create and maintain strong cross-functional partnerships with schools, vendors, community partners, and City departments.
• Build and monitor service-level agreements (SLAs), vendor performance contracts, and change management strategies for enterprise initiatives.
• Represent CPS nationally through organizations such as the Council of the Great City Schools CIO panel.
• Other duties and workstreams as assigned.

In order to be successful and achieve the above responsibilities, the Chief Information Technology Officer must possess the following qualifications:

Education Required:

• Master's degree in Computer Science, Information Technology or equivalent field of study from an accredited college or university is required.
• Project Management Professional (PMP), Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP), Information Technology Infrastructure Library (ITIL), or similar certifications are preferred.

Experience Required:

• Minimum of fifteen (15) years of experience in administration of information systems and technology including the following is required:
• Seven (7) years of senior leadership and management experience, including leading large teams towards achieving ambitious goals and strong outcomes.
• Demonstrated experience with multi-year strategic planning and budgeting, and leading complex change management efforts.
• Extensive experience leading enterprise-level technology strategy, program execution, and change management, including oversight of PMO operations and stakeholder engagement.
• Proven experience managing large vendor contracts, negotiating scopes of work, and holding external partners accountable to measurable results.
• Demonstrated experience designing technology systems that enable data-driven instruction and equitable access to digital learning is preferred.
• Demonstrated experience as an educational leader or equivalent leadership experience involving the implementation of successful strategies that improved student outcomes is preferred.
• Experience with instructional technology integration, cybersecurity, and data governance in K–12 or higher education is preferred.

Other Requirements:

• Must be available for travel to schools and offices across Chicago.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Strong understanding of enterprise IT services and infrastructure.
• Deep knowledge of modern enterprise IT environments, including cloud systems, AI integration, cybersecurity architecture, and digital learning platforms.
• Exemplary leadership skills, with expertise in leadership improvement, building effective teams, coaching, and ensuring professional growth for all ITS team members.
• Proven ability to lead complex, large-scale technology programs and enterprise-level project management offices (PMOs), including implementation of sustainable, high-impact systems and change management frameworks.
• Demonstrates a strong commitment to educational equity and closing achievement gaps by leveraging technology to expand access, personalize learning, and improve the instructional experience for all students.
• Superior interpersonal and communication skills with ability to engage senior leadership, school administrators, and community stakeholders.
• Ability to build consensus among diverse stakeholders around a clear vision for serving schools and achieving student success.
• Demonstrate skill in the development and maintenance of effective working relationships with all levels of executive and managerial personnel, various governmental agencies, and other key stakeholders.
• Must have deep knowledge of the basic tenets of information security including staff training and policy management, perimeter security, access controls and vulnerability management to ensure both operational continuity and adherence to federal and state regulatory guidelines (S.O.P.P.A., F.E.R.P.A, H.I.P.P.A).

Conditions of Employment

As a condition of employment with the Chicago Public Schools (CPS), employees are required to:

• Establish/Maintain Chicago Residency - Employees are required to live within the geographic boundaries of the City of Chicago within six months of their CPS hire date and maintain residency throughout their employment with the district. The Chicago residency requirement does not apply to temporary/part-time positions, however, all CPS employees must be residents of Illinois.

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