Template Municipal CTO Description

Chief Technology Officer
City of []

Ranging from automating previously manual workflows to adding sensors to the physical environment, the technology industry is changing the way citizens live and work. This is why governments need senior leadership, savvy with modern technologies, eager to experiment with new tools, and capable of working through the bureaucracy to show what’s possible.

The Chief Technology Officer (CTO) serves this role in the city of []. Positioned alongside — but distinct from, the Chief Information Officer (CIO) — the CTO works to drive city operations forward, placing City Hall and the city overall in an ideal position for the use of new technologies and tools. 

The CTO plays both and internal and external role: piloting City Hall innovations, such as new apps or tools, one hand, and arranging creative partnerships with the private sector, such as telecom providers, on the other. For both, the CTO leverages a strong grasp of trends in the technology sector and a production connection with the local tech industry. 

The CTO also serves as a spokesperson for the city government to the technology sector to position the city of [] as a leader in the industry and a “destination of choice” for new businesses.

Responsibilities
 - Pilot innovative new tools and apps to improve service delivery, reduce costs, and boost citizen engagement, in support of the administration’s strategic priorities.
 - Monitor trends in the technology industry, communicate them to departments, and work hand-in-hand with them to test new solutions. 
 - Partner with nonprofit and volunteer groups to create additional technology capacity for innovation for the city government through fellowships, internships, and events.
 - Support economic development in the city by attracting and retaining technology companies and talent in the region through evangelizing the city’s existing tech community.
 - Work with industry providers to address tech issues such as the digital divide and digital literacy to ensure equitable access to the opportunities technology affords for residents.
 - Serve as chief advisor to the senior staff on technology related policy and programs, including but not limited to telecom policy, the sharing economy, and the Internet of Things (IoT).

Skills
 - Deep understanding of trends in the technology, ideally through experience in the private sector in a senior leadership role.
 - Ability to creatively apply new technology to public sector challenges and effectively communicate its value to city staff and the public.
 - Familiarity with public sector technology policy issues and comfort promoting the city’s priorities to relevant parties (i.e. private sector companies, other governments, etc)
 - Strong public speaking, writing, and storytelling skills.