Chief Technology Officer

Cottingham & Butler - Dubuque, IA

Full-time - Executive

Dubuque, IA

Insurance Carriers and Related Activities

About the position

We are seeking a dynamic and experienced Chief Technology Officer (CTO) to join our leadership team. As CTO, you will be responsible for developing and implementing a technology strategy that aligns with our company's strategic goals, driving innovation, and ensuring operational efficiency. This role is pivotal in shaping the technological landscape of our organization and requires a strategic thinker with a strong business acumen. In this position, you will develop and implement a comprehensive technology strategy that aligns with the overall objectives of the company, focusing on business ROI from major technology initiatives. You will ensure full value from our various operating systems, including Salesforce, Applied, Ventiv, and others. Leading automation and efficiency initiatives such as Robotic Process Automation (RPA), Artificial Intelligence (AI), and process improvements will be key to enhancing workflows across the organization. You will also lead the digitization of core business processes to enhance efficiency and effectiveness. A critical aspect of your role will be to design an overall approach to data management across all businesses, evaluating the need for an integrated data warehouse or data lake to unify access to all data, particularly considering the unique challenges of retail and wholesale operations. In terms of application management, you will develop plans for major applications regarding on-premise or cloud-based versions and oversee a data analytics function to ensure easy and intuitive data access. You will also oversee software development resources for creating and enhancing internally built applications, evaluating and selecting potential third-party development shops (onshore or offshore) to augment capabilities. As a leader, you will provide guidance to the technology team, nurturing a high-performance technical workforce. You will oversee the development and delivery of technology services and solutions to meet business needs and customer expectations on time and on budget. Ensuring that all technology solutions are developed in a manner consistent with our Cyber Security protocols will also be a priority. Your role will involve leading the research, evaluation, and adoption of cutting-edge technologies to yield competitive advantages and improve customer experience. Collaborating with other department leaders to define and deliver new products and enhancements that drive business growth will be essential. Additionally, you will manage part of the technology budget, ensuring resources are allocated effectively to support key initiatives and preparing annual budgets for review.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement a comprehensive technology strategy that aligns with the overall objectives of the company.
• Ensure full value from various operating systems, including Salesforce, Applied, Ventiv, etc.
• Lead automation and efficiency initiatives such as RPA, AI, and process improvements to enhance workflows.
• Lead the digitization of core business processes to enhance efficiency and effectiveness.
• Design an overall approach to data management across all businesses.
• Evaluate the need for an integrated data warehouse/data lake to unify access to all data.
• Develop plans for major applications regarding on-premise or cloud-based versions.
• Oversee a data analytics function to ensure easy and intuitive data access.
• Oversee software development resources for creating and enhancing internally built applications.
• Evaluate and select potential 3rd party development shops (onshore or offshore) to augment capabilities.
• Provide leadership and guidance to the technology team, nurturing a high-performance technical workforce.
• Oversee the development and delivery of technology services and solutions to meet business needs and customer expectations on time and on budget.
• Ensure all technology solutions are developed in a manner consistent with Cyber Security protocols.
• Lead the research, evaluation, and adoption of cutting-edge technologies to yield competitive advantages and improve customer experience.
• Collaborate with other department leaders to define and deliver new products and enhancements that drive business growth.
• Manage part of the technology budget, ensuring resources are allocated effectively to support key initiatives.

Requirements

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Computer Science or a related field; MBA is a plus.
• Proven experience as a CTO, VP of IT or similar leadership role in a technology-driven organization.
• Strong understanding of modern technology architectures, software, and cloud infrastructure.
• Strategic thinker with strong business acumen and the ability to make decisions based on analytics and data.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to engage effectively with diverse stakeholder groups.
• Demonstrated ability to lead and inspire a team in a highly collaborative environment.

Nice-to-haves

• Insurance brokerage experience preferred.