The Chief Technology Officer ("CTO") serves as the executive leader responsible for the Bank's technology strategy, information technology operations, technology governance, cybersecurity oversight, and digital transformation initiatives. The CTO develops, maintains, and executes the Bank's Information Technology Strategy, ensuring alignment with business objectives, regulatory requirements, risk management principles, operational needs, and long-term growth initiatives.
The CTO provides strategic leadership for enterprise technology, including technology architecture, infrastructure, core banking systems, electronic banking platforms, data management, information security, business continuity, vendor management, and technology-related risk management. The CTO evaluates emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence, automation, and digital banking solutions, to identify opportunities that enhance operational efficiency, strengthen security, improve customer and employee experiences, and support innovation.
The CTO uses independent judgment and discretion to direct the Bank's technology resources, establish technology standards and roadmaps, prioritize technology investments, and ensure the confidentiality, integrity, availability, and resilience of Bank information systems. The position collaborates closely with executive leadership, business units, the Information Security Officer, and the Board of Directors to ensure technology initiatives support strategic objectives and regulatory expectations.
The CTO serves as Chair of the Information Technology Steering Committee and is accountable for maintaining a secure, reliable, and scalable technology environment that supports the Bank's operations and future growth. The position routinely handles confidential Bank and customer information and requires occasional travel between Bank locations and other business-related destinations.
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each of the following Essential Duties satisfactorily. Reasonable Accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the Essential Duties of the position:
- Develop Technology Strategy and Leadership
- Develop, maintain, and execute the Bank's Information Technology Strategy in alignment with the Bank's strategic plan, business objectives, regulatory requirements, and risk management framework.
- Establish and maintain a multi-year technology roadmap that supports operational excellence, customer experience, innovation, business growth, and digital transformation initiatives.
- Evaluate emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence, automation, cloud technologies, cybersecurity solutions, and digital banking platforms, and recommend strategic investments.
- Serve as a trusted advisor to executive management and the Board regarding technology trends, opportunities, risks, and investments.
- Prioritize technology initiatives and capital expenditures to maximize organizational value while maintaining effective governance and regulatory compliance.
- Technology Operations and Service Delivery
- Provide executive oversight of the Bank's technology infrastructure, networks, core banking systems, customer accounting systems, electronic banking platforms, telecommunications, and technology support functions.
- Ensure technology systems remain secure, reliable, scalable, and aligned with business requirements.
- Establish service standards and performance metrics that support operational efficiency and customer service objectives.
- Direct technology operations to ensure business continuity, operational resiliency, and effective service delivery.
- Cybersecurity and Information Security Oversight
- Provide executive oversight of the Bank's cybersecurity and information security programs.
- Collaborate with the Information Security Officer to ensure appropriate governance, independence, risk reporting, and regulatory compliance.
- Ensure effective controls are implemented to protect the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of information assets.
- Monitor emerging cyber threats and ensure appropriate strategies, controls, and response capabilities are maintained.
- Serve as a member of the Bank's Incident Response Team and provide executive leadership during cybersecurity incidents and technology-related emergencies.
- Technology Risk Management and Governance
- Oversee the Bank's technology risk management framework, ensuring technology risks are appropriately identified, assessed, mitigated, monitored, and reported.
- Chair the Information Technology Steering Committee and present technology initiatives, risks, investments, and performance metrics to executive management and the Board.
- Ensure compliance with applicable banking regulations, information security requirements, and technology governance standards.
- Review and approve technology policies, procedures, standards, and control frameworks.
- Data Governance and Information Management
- Oversee enterprise data governance initiatives to promote data quality, integrity, security, accessibility, and regulatory compliance.
- Support business intelligence, reporting, analytics, and data management initiatives that improve organizational decision-making.
- Ensure appropriate management of customer, operational, financial, and regulatory information assets.
- Business Continuity and Disaster Recovery
- Provide executive leadership for technology-related business continuity and disaster recovery planning.
- Ensure recovery objectives, contingency plans, testing programs, and operational resilience capabilities support the Bank's business requirements.
- Coordinate with management and business units to maintain effective continuity planning and recovery processes.
- Vendor and Third-Party Risk Management
- Oversee technology vendor relationships and third-party service providers.
- Participate in contract review, vendor selection, negotiations, due diligence activities, and ongoing performance management.
- Ensure third-party technology providers meet operational, security, compliance, and risk management expectations.
- Technology Project and Portfolio Management
- Provide executive oversight for technology projects and strategic initiatives.
- Ensure projects are aligned with business objectives, adequately resourced, appropriately governed, and delivered within established timelines and budgets.
- Promote standardized project management practices and effective organizational change management.
- Financial Management
- Develop, administer, and manage the technology budget.
- Monitor technology expenditures and ensure responsible stewardship of Bank resources.
- Evaluate technology investments and vendor solutions to ensure cost-effectiveness and alignment with strategic goals.
- Leadership and Talent Development
- Provide leadership, direction, and oversight for technology and customer accounting personnel.
- Establish performance expectations and promote employee development, succession planning, and professional growth.
- Foster a collaborative, service-oriented, and high-performing culture within the technology organization.
- Ensure compliance with Bank policies and applicable employment laws and regulations.
- Regulatory Compliance and Audit Support
- Ensure technology operations, cybersecurity programs, and information systems comply with applicable federal and state banking regulations.
- Coordinate responses to regulatory examinations, internal audits, external audits, and risk assessments.
- Implement corrective actions related to audit findings and regulatory recommendations.
- Maintain documentation supporting technology governance, controls, and compliance activities.
- Reporting and Communication
- Prepare and present reports, analyses, recommendations, and performance metrics for executive management, the Information Technology Steering Committee, auditors, regulators, and the Board of Directors.
- Communicate significant technology risks, cybersecurity events, operational issues, and strategic initiatives to appropriate stakeholders.
- Additional Responsibilities
- Maintain strict confidentiality regarding Bank and customer information.
- Perform special projects and other duties as assigned.
- Travel between Bank locations and other business-related destinations as necessary.
- Maintain a constant state of alertness and perform responsibilities in a safe manner.
The position of Chief Technology Officer is responsible for the supervision of more than eight (8) employees and carries out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with the Bank's policies and applicable laws, ensuring adherence to Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) guidelines. Performs personnel actions, including performance appraisals and disciplinary actions; interviews and selects candidates for employment; and supervises the daily activities of the Data Center Department including, but not limited to, effectively delegating assignments, developing work schedules, and providing necessary training. Demonstrates knowledge of and adherence to EEO policy; shows respect and sensitivity for cultural differences; promotes working environment free of harassment of any type; and builds a diverse workforce and supports affirmative action.
The incumbent will spend most of the time performing this position in a professional office-type setting. The position includes driving a personally owned vehicle, which includes exposure to the outside weather elements and moving mechanical parts, as well as some minor annoyances such as noise, odors, drafts, etc.
The incumbent, in the course of performing this position, spends time writing, keyboarding, speaking, listening, lifting, driving, carrying, seeing (such as close, color and peripheral vision, depth perception, and adjusted focus), sitting, pulling, walking, standing, squatting, kneeling, and reaching.
The incumbent for this position may operate any or all of the following: telephone, smart phone, copy and fax machines, adding machine (calculator), laptop computer, personal computer, tablet, printers, or other equipment as needed and/or directed.
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. 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 qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
The incumbent in this position must be able to read and understand documents, instruments, and highly technical reports; perform detailed work; and problem solve. Incumbent must also display proficiency in customer contact, analytical reasoning, math, language, presentation skills, and verbal and written communication. Incumbent must be able to effectively manage stress, multiple concurrent tasks, and constant interruptions. Due to a variety of programs that the Bank has to put into place to compete, the mental demands can be very stressful when maintaining and implementing new programs and procedures. In addition, the day-to-day managing employees can also be stressful with constant interruptions. Incumbent must be able to work in a constant state of alertness and concentrate for long periods of time.
This position is designated as a safety sensitive position because it requires the regular handling of highly sensitive and confidential Bank and customer information and operating a motor vehicle on a routine basis. Performing this job in a discreet and professional manner requires alertness at all times. Any lapse of attention could have a significant financial impact on the Bank and its customers, or on others while operating a motor vehicle.
These specifications are general guidelines based on the minimum experience normally considered essential to the satisfactory performance of this position. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill and/or ability required to perform the position in a satisfactory manner.
- Bachelor’s degree (BA or BS) in information technology, business management, or a related field from a college or university and ten (10) years of related experience, including three (3) years in a supervisory or management role; or the equivalent combination of education and experience, which is estimated to be fifteen (15) years of related experience.
- Educational experience, through in-house training sessions, formal school or financial industry related curriculum, should be business, information technology or financial industry related.
- Work related experience must consist of information systems management experience in the financial services industry.
- Professional certification or graduate degree preferred.
- Thorough understanding of information flow into the Bank and the ability to troubleshoot when challenges arise.
- Extensive knowledge of bank IT strategy, operations, system technology, and related regulations.
- Advanced analytical and problem-solving skills.
- Advanced computer skills, including personal computers, mainframe, and applications interface; intermediate typing skills to meet production needs of the position.
- Advanced written and oral communication skills, including sound interpersonal and negotiating abilities, as well as proficiency in preparing and delivering technical presentations.
- Mastery of information-technology department operations, management, and supervisory activities, typically acquired through training and experience with progressively increasing levels of operational, management, and supervisory responsibility
- Mastery of state and federal banking compliance regulations, Bank operations, and related information technology policies and procedures.
- Excellent organizational and time-management skills with the ability to provide leadership, supervision, and training for employees using positive supervisory techniques to ensure maximum productivity; and demonstrated ability in organization and delegation skills.
- Working knowledge of employment practices, performance management, employee development, and applicable personnel policies sufficient to effectively lead and manage department personnel.
- Intermediate math skills, including but not limited to: ability to calculate interest, commissions, proportions, and percentages; balance accounts; and add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure.
- Thorough understanding of management procedures.
- Ability and initiative to plan department or Bank activities (setting objectives, developing strategies, budgeting, and developing policies and procedures); organize functions necessary to accomplish department or Bank activities; effectively staff (select, train, and develop employees); direct employees toward desired objectives (delegate, motivate, and resolve problems); and manage employees (develop performance standards, measure results, take corrective action, and reward employees as appropriate).
- Ability to deal with complex problems involving multiple facets and variables in non-standardized situations.
- Ability to work with no supervision while performing duties.
- A current, non-suspended driver’s license and a vehicle with appropriate insurance coverage as governed by Bank policy are required to drive in the course of performing assigned duties and responsibilities, as well as the ability and willingness to travel between Bank and branch locations, during the day, overnight, and in and out of state as required.
The Bank reserves the right to change this job description at any time according to business needs. This document does not represent a contract of employment and is not meant to alter the at-will status of employee’s employment in any way. Chambers Bancshares, Inc. reserves the right to change this job description and/or assign tasks for the employee to perform, at any time, with or without notice, as it may deem appropriate.
