PLEASE NOTE: Applications cannot be submitted through this website for this position. This search is through Pracademic Partners, and directions on how to apply are below.
How To Apply:
This recruitment effort is confidential and all contacts, inquiries and communications will be treated as such throughout the process. This position is considered open until a final selection is made. Pracademic Partners is assisting the City of Durham with this executive search. Expressions of interest should be sent via the Pracademic Partners job portal and should include a cover letter, resume, and list of three (3) professional references.
Pracademic Partners is assisting the City of Durham with this executive search. All materials should be sent, in confidence, to: ian@pracademicpartners.com with the subject line: Chief Information Officer – City of Durham, N.C..
The City of Durham, North Carolina—one of the nation’s most dynamic and forward-leaning communities—invites accomplished technology executives to explore the opportunity to serve as its next
Chief Information Officer. This is a high-impact, mission-driven role for a leader who thrives at the intersection of innovation, strategy, and public service. With a growing population, major research institutions, and a bold vision for digital transformation, Durham offers a rare platform to reshape how a modern city leverages technology to enhance service delivery, strengthen resilience, and elevate the resident experience.
The CIO will serve as a trusted advisor to executive leadership, guiding an enterprise IT agenda centered on modernization, data-driven decision-making, and organizational excellence. This leader will oversee major initiatives—including a citywide ERP implementation, cloud and cybersecurity advancements, and the expansion of AI and automation—while cultivating a culture of collaboration, creativity, and continuous improvement. The role demands a strategic thinker with deep technical acumen, exceptional communication skills, and the ability to build alignment across a diverse, high-performing organization.
Ideal candidates bring a track record of transformational leadership, enterprise-scale technology management, and an unwavering commitment to equity, transparency, and public value. For the leader ready to shape a digitally empowered future for one of the Southeast’s most innovative cities, this is an extraordinary opportunity to make a lasting impact on Durham’s operations, workforce, and community.
A fuller position profile and recruitment brochure is available via this link: https://www.pracademicpartners.com/s/Recruitment_DurhamNC_TSD_CIO.pdf
Pracademic Partners, an executive recruitment firm, is leading this search effort. Applicants can apply via their portal: https://www.pracademicpartners.com/current-recruitments
Key Responsibilities
- Strategic Leadership: Develop and implement a citywide IT strategy aligned with the City’s Strategic Plan and business goals.
- Innovation & Emerging Tech: Identify and deploy emerging technologies, with a focus on automation, AI, and data-driven decision-making.
- Infrastructure & Cybersecurity: Oversee IT infrastructure, cloud environments, and cybersecurity frameworks to ensure resilience and scalability.
- Enterprise Systems: Lead the development, integration, and support of enterprise applications and platforms.
- Data & Analytics: Drive enterprise data governance, analytics, and business intelligence initiatives.
- Budget & Vendor Management: Manage IT budgets, capital improvement planning, and vendor relationships.
- Team Leadership: Build, mentor, and lead a high-performing IT team with a strong customer service orientation.
- Compliance & Continuity: Ensure compliance with industry standards and maintain robust disaster recovery and business continuity plans.
- Cross-Department Collaboration: Partner with department heads and executive leadership to deliver technological solutions that meet citywide needs.
Essential Functions
- Provide strategic and operational IT leadership across the organization.
- Lead annual IT budget planning, procurement, and contract negotiations.
- Evaluate and prioritize technology projects based on organizational value and legal requirements.
- Supervise and develop departmental staff, fostering a culture of innovation, accountability, and service.
- Represent the City in internal and external meetings, including City Council and community engagements.
- Maintain up-to-date knowledge of technology trends, security standards, and best practices.
- Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, or a related field (or equivalent experience). Master’s degree in business, Information Technology or related field preferred.
- 10+ years of progressive IT leadership experience, including supervisory and strategic planning roles.
- Proven experience in enterprise IT management, cybersecurity, cloud technologies, and digital transformation.
- Strong project management, communication, and stakeholder engagement skills.
- Experience with policy development, disaster recovery planning, and change management.
PLEASE NOTE: Applications cannot be submitted through this website for this position. This search is through Pracademic Partners, and directions on how to apply are below.
How To Apply:
This recruitment effort is confidential and all contacts, inquiries and communications will be treated as such throughout the process. This position is considered open until a final selection is made. Pracademic Partners is assisting the City of Durham with this executive search. Expressions of interest should be sent via the Pracademic Partners job portal and should include a cover letter, resume, and list of three (3) professional references.
Pracademic Partners is assisting the City of Durham with this executive search. All materials should be sent, in confidence, to: ian@pracademicpartners.com with the subject line: Chief Information Officer – City of Durham, N.C..
- Visionary leadership with a track record of driving innovation and transformation.
- Deep understanding of enterprise systems, infrastructure, and data architecture.
- Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to collaborate across departments and with external partners.
- Commitment to public service, equity, and community impact.
