Description

The Director of Information Technology provides strategic leadership and vision for the development, implementation, and support of the organization’s technology and information system initiatives. This role is responsible for planning, directing, and managing all functions of the Information Technology Division. The Director collaborates with leaders across divisions to align IT solutions with organizational goals, ensuring the delivery of cost-effective and innovative technologies. Additionally, the Director reports to the General Manager and oversees IT policies and procedures, manages division personnel performance, and supports enterprise-wide digital strategies that advance WaterOne’s strategic objectives. The Director of Information Technology serves as WaterOne’s Chief Information Officer.

Pay range for this position is $205,000/yr to $244,000/yr for experienced candidates placed in the Market Zone.

Essential Functions

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Information Technology Director Essential Functions

• Leads information system strategic planning and operations to achieve business goals by fostering innovation, prioritizing information system initiatives, and coordinating the evaluation, deployment, and management of current and future information systems across the organization.
• Advises the General Manager, WaterOne Board, and senior staff concerning planning and implementation of efforts pertaining to information technology.
• Develops and maintains an appropriate IT organizational structure that supports the needs of the business.
• Oversees IT contractual relationships to ensure compliance with project requirements and WaterOne business practices.
• Accountable for the operations and delivery of IT services including enterprise systems, such as ERP and GIS, service desk, data services, project management office, and IT infrastructure and networking.
• Develops, implements, reviews, and updates IT policies, procedures, and contingency plans as appropriate for normal business operations and IT disaster recovery. 
• Collaborates with the organization’s ISO to develop, review, and update cyber security policies and procedures to ensure compliance and that they are current, comprehensive, and aligned with organizational goals and risk management and the current cyber security threat landscape.
• Promotes cybersecurity awareness and training campaigns to protect company information system assets.
• Stays current with information system best practices, trends, emerging technologies, laws & regulations, and issues including cyber security threats.

Standard Essential Functions for Director Positions

• Ensures Division alignment and consistency with organizational and team policies; contributes to the development of organization-wide policies and approves or endorses team-level policies.
• Provides guidance or addresses inquiries and complaints from customers or stakeholders that cannot be resolved by managers, or those requiring a high degree of urgency or severity.
• Researches new strategies, brainstorms possible solutions, communicates and ensures implementation of process changes, and ensures consistency across the organization.
• Supports the exploration, development and implementation of new and innovative technologies, systems, and methods to increase efficiency, cost savings, enhanced security, and improved customer experiences.
• Plans, coordinates, oversees and evaluates the organization, functions, and activities of the Division to ensure effective and efficient operations and quality service to all customers and stakeholders.
• Develops and maintains internal relationships within WaterOne, as well as stakeholder relationships within the community, and various governmental entities. 
• Oversees the preparation, implementation, and monitoring of both operating and capital budgets. Evaluates historical spending and assesses future resource needs to ensure alignment with Division goals and WaterOne’s overall financial framework. Authorizes Division expenditures in accordance with WaterOne policies.
• Develops and maintains industry relationships with vendors, other utilities, and professional organizations like the American Water Works Association (AWWA). Participates and encourages staff to participate in water industry research and activities providing awareness to WaterOne on leading edge technologies and practices.
• Attends Board and Committee meetings as well as other public or staff meetings. Delivers presentations to the Board, employees, public, and other stakeholders.
• Contracts with vendors to ensure compliance with project or service requirements and WaterOne business practices.
• Must be available during specific emergency situations as outlined in the Emergency Operations Plan (EOP) or when operational decisions require input from the Director.

Standard Supervisory/People Leader Responsibilities for Director Positions

• Provides vision, direction, and goal setting for the Division in alignment with WaterOne’s mission, vision, values, and strategic plan, and in coordination with organization-wide and cross-divisional priorities. 
• Provides guidance to Managers on departmental tactical strategies, metrics, and key performance indicators, while taking ownership of achieving Division goals and aligning with the organization’s mission. Regularly reviews and interprets performance data to ensure strategic adjustments are made as needed.
• Drives work performance of the Division, and provides appropriate training, mentoring, and coaching to Managers to enhance the overall operations of the Division.  Provides consultation to Managers for the application of employee corrective actions.
• Conducts annual performance evaluations, ensuring alignment with strategic goals and employee development plans. Cultivates leadership skills in direct reports at intermediate to advanced levels and mentors high-potential employees to support their leadership growth.
• Conducts interviews and evaluates talent for hire in accordance with WaterOne interview standards. Makes hiring decisions for the Division.
• Performs or oversees other leadership and administrative duties such as timesheet approvals, time off requests, training authorizations, and other recordkeeping tasks.
• Provides strategic vision and leadership in the development and management of the Division’s budget, business plans, financial forecasts, and long-term staffing needs.
• Fosters strong relationships with employees, inspiring and motivating them to achieve success. Champions a positive, inclusive workplace culture that promotes belonging and engagement.
• Monitors and reviews work assignments to identify and solve operating difficulties, personnel or customer problems, and to ensure adherence to policies, procedures, regulations, etc. and to provide supervision and technical advice.  Responsible for working with Division managers and staff to determine the most economical method for utilization of the workforce, equipment, and materials.
• Actively engages in senior leadership activities, providing executive direction to advance WaterOne’s Mission, Vision, Values, and Strategic Goals. Plays a key role in the development and coordination of strategic planning and goal-setting efforts.
• Leads and guides efforts to foster a workplace culture that prioritizes safety.

Other Duties

• Performs other job duties as assigned.

Customer Service Commitment

WaterOne employees shall continuously strive to meet or exceed the expectations of both their internal and external customers.  Questions and concerns shall be acknowledged on the same day whenever possible, but no later than the next business day.  Issues shall be resolved as promptly as possible, with the goal of maximizing customer satisfaction.

Requirements

Required Education & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, or related field.
• Twelve years of increasingly responsible experience in the information technology field, with a strong focus on effective IT service and operations delivery, leveraging both internal and external teams.
• Seven years of progressive leadership responsibilities that include experience with employee performance reviews and coaching and managerial administrative tasks like timekeeping approvals.
• Experience across major information technology domains, including infrastructure, networking & communications, data management, enterprise system architecture, application development and cyber security.
• Proven experience in IT strategic planning and development as well as cybersecurity policy development.
• Experience negotiating and managing contracts for products and services.
• Experience managing vendors who provide both products and services to the Information Technology function.
• Experience working in an IT/OT environment.
• Experience implementing and managing information systems Disaster Recovery.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Demonstrated Project Management Office leadership.
• Ability to effectively communicate with the WaterOne Leadership Team and all other levels of employees, as well as the ability to deliver high quality communications to the WaterOne Board.  This includes the ability to present ideas in business-specific language appropriate for the target audience.
• Ability to function effectively as an internal consultant for all parts of the business.
• Ability to make critical decisions and apply good problem-solving skills.
• Ability to plan, evaluate, motivate and manage the performance of teams, and to provide appropriate leadership and oversight of their continued professional development.
• Ability to collaborate with senior management to achieve WaterOne goals and objectives.
• Excellent teamwork and interpersonal skills.
• Exceptional service orientation.
• Ability to motivate in a team-oriented, collaborative environment.

Preferred Qualifications

• Postgraduate degree in Management, Business Administration, or Information Technology.
• Seventeen years of progressive leadership responsibilities that included experience with employee performance reviews and coaching and managerial administrative tasks like timekeeping approvals.
• Demonstrated senior leadership experience and the ability to effectively work with the other senior leadership team members, internal and external stakeholders, consultants, and boards or governing bodies.
• Experience with enterprise software, including SAP S4/HANA, and ESRI Geographic Information Systems (GIS) technology.
• Experience managing an Operational Technology (OT) environment that includes Industrial Controls Systems (ICS), SCADA software and OT security policies.
• Experience managing Software Development and/or a formal Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC)
• Experience in water or utility industries.

Physical Requirements

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee may occasionally lift/or move up to 20 pounds. The employee must be able to use a computer for multiple hours a day. The employee must be able to move occasionally from one location to another or be able to remain in a stationary position for up to several hours a day. The employee must be able to use office productivity equipment such as a personal computer, calculator, printer, and copy machine.

Work Environment

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

This job operates in a professional office environment. This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers, filing cabinets and fax machines. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

WaterOne provides a total compensation package that includes:

• Competitive base pay
• Medical, dental, vision, life, AD&D, and LTD insurance
• Flexible spending account
• Company funded Cash Balance Plan
• Company match Defined Contribution Plan
• Comprehensive wellness program
• Educational assistance program
• A variety of other benefit programs and activities

Equal Opportunity Employer

WaterOne is an equal opportunity employer and upholds a non-discrimination policy. We prohibit discrimination on the basis of race, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, religion, disability, age, military status, or marital status in making employment and business decisions. We also prohibit harassment and retaliation in the workplace and in our dealings with the public. We encourage and welcome diversity of backgrounds in our workforce. WaterOne complies with the Immigration Reform and Control Act (IRCA).

Complete job description is available upon request and will be provided during the selection process.