Job Details
Description
Summary
The Chief Information Technology Officer (CITO) leads enterprise technology strategy, operations, security, and systems alignment across the enterprise of Russell family businesses (Concessionaire, Construction, Program Management, and Real Estate). This role ensures technology investments deliver consistent, secure, and scalable solutions that support day-to-day operations and long-term growth. The CIO connects multiple business units under one enterprise framework and ensures all technology initiatives are business focused, customer focused, and operationally sound.
This role will advance an IT strategy that supports customer experience and operational efficiency. This will include leadership that elevates customer-facing innovation and digital platforms. The role will integrate enterprise-wide technology that strengthens performance across all Russell-owned companies.
This role blends forward-thinking leadership with hands-on execution. It requires effective use of technology to create cost savings, process optimization, and improved service delivery. The CIO will strengthen infrastructure, oversees vendors, improve data integrity, and apply practical AI and automation tools that raise performance, accuracy, and visibility across the enterprise.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities include the following. Other duties may be assigned.
Enterprise Technology Strategy and Governance
- Establish governance, architecture, and security frameworks that ensure consistency, scalability, and compliance across all business units.
- Partner with Finance, HR, Operations, Construction, Real Estate, and Concessions to align technology investments with business priorities.
- Oversee the technological direction of the enterprise data strategy including integration, data integrity, analytics, and regulatory compliance.
- Lead digital transformation initiatives including tools such as laser scanning, VR, and construction innovation technologies.
- Manage IT infrastructure, cybersecurity, vendors, and enterprise technology performance.
- Integrate IT into enterprise-wide strategic business planning.
Technology Alignment and Delivery
- Translate enterprise goals into actionable technology plans that improve efficiency, connectivity, and collaboration.
- Align IT systems with business goals, including POS systems, inventory, and customer data platforms.
- Lead implementation and upgrades of core systems including ERP, HRIS, POS, inventory platforms, intranet, learning systems, and construction project management tools.
- Oversee daily IT operations, service delivery, help desk support, and vendor management.
- Ensure IT systems are secure, scalable, compliant, and results oriented.
Applied AI and Automation
- Identify realistic, high-impact opportunities to use AI and automation to streamline workflows, reporting, forecasting, and data analysis.
- Implement AI-enabled solutions across functions such as project management, talent analytics, budgeting, customer analytics, and predictive maintenance.
- Partner with business units to pilot, refine, and scale digital tools that improve accuracy, speed, and decision-making.
- Drive customer-facing innovation and digital experience improvements across the enterprise.
Data, Security, and Governance
- Serve as the primary cybersecurity officer (CSO) and compliance for the enterprise in partnership with internal leaders and external providers.
- Establish consistent data practices that support accurate reporting, transparency, and informed decision-making.
- Ensure systems are secure and scalable.
- Monitor systems and detect risks using analytics and proactive governance practices.
Leadership and Collaboration
- Lead a small internal IT team and external service providers to ensure consistent service and strong support across all sites and businesses.
- Collaborate closely with Finance, HR, Marketing, Operations, Construction, brand leaders, and external partners to ensure technology alignment and enterprise-wide consistency.
- Communicate system updates, risks, and technology recommendations to senior leadership in a clear, direct, and actionable manner.
- Manage IT budgets, vendor relationships, drive cost efficiency strategies and process optimization through technology.
- Mentor and develop the technology team.
Supervisory Responsibilities
Is responsible for the overall direction, coordination, and evaluation of the department. Performs supervisory duties in alignment with Company policies and applicable laws, including planning, assigning, and directing work, as well as managing employee’s performance and development in collaboration with Human Resources.
Education And/or Experience
- Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Information Systems, or related field. Master’s degree preferred.
- Ten or more years of progressive IT leadership with experience overseeing enterprise systems, infrastructure, and multi-site operations.
- Hands-on experience implementing or managing AI, automation, or digital transformation tools.
- Strong project management, budgeting, vendor management, and execution skills.
- Proven ability to lead technological initiatives across multiple businesses or complex organizations.
- Strong communication skills and the ability to translate technical solutions into clear business value.
Physical Demands & Work Environment
The physical demands and work environment described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand; walk; use hands to fingers to handle or feel; reach with hands and arms; and talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to sit; climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl; and taste or smell. The employee must regularly lift and/or move up to 10 pounds and frequently lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, and ability to adjust focus.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly exposed to moving mechanical parts, fumes or airborne particles, and outside weather conditions. The employee is frequently exposed to toxic or caustic chemicals, risk of electrical shock, and vibration. The employee is occasionally exposed to wet and/or humid conditions; high, precarious places; extreme cold; extreme heat; explosives; and risk of radiation. The noise level in the work environment is usually loud.
The work environmental characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.
