Chief Information Officer

CFA Institute • Remote (Virginia, United States, US) • 1w ago

We are seeking a visionary and operationally outstanding Chief Information Officer (CIO) to lead the strategic direction, development, and execution of our product and technology initiatives. The CIO will serve as a key member of the executive leadership team, responsible for advancing CFA Institute's mission through scalable, secure, and resilient IT systems and digital solutions. This role is central to driving innovation in high-stakes learning products and next-generation learning platforms, leveraging emerging technologies including Generative AI (GenAI) and advanced data analytics.

The role will be located on the US (in approved jurisdictions) or UK and will be eligible for flexible working. The CIO reports to the President & Chief Executive Officer.

Technology Leadership

Develop and execute a forward-looking enterprise technology strategy aligned with the organization’s growth objectives and digital product roadmap.
Lead the architecture, design, and implementation of secure, scalable, and resilient IT systems and platforms.
Evaluate and integrate cutting-edge technologies, including GenAI, machine learning, and cloud-native applications to enhance the development and delivery of high-stakes assessments and learning products.
Expand and elevate the organization’s data strategy and capabilities in data governance, analytics, business intelligence and predictive modeling, across all functions including finance, marketing, sales, education etc.
Ensure robust governance of data, privacy, cybersecurity, and compliance standards across all systems and platforms.
Oversee the development lifecycle of digital products and services, ensuring alignment with user needs, industry standards, and regulatory requirements.

Functional & Operational Leadership

Lead a high-performing, multi-disciplinary technology organization, including engineering, IT operations, product management, cybersecurity, and enterprise systems teams.
Design and evolve staffing and sourcing models to optimize talent, vendor partnerships, and service delivery across global teams.
Manage the IT budget, ensuring ROI on technology investments and alignment with financial and strategic goals.
Implement best-in-class IT service management (ITSM), DevOps, and agile development practices to improve speed, quality, and user satisfaction.
Promote a culture of innovation, accountability, and continuous improvement within the technology function.

Enterprise Systems & Architecture

Oversee the strategic planning, selection, and integration of enterprise applications (e.g., ERP, CRM, HRIS, LMS).
Define and maintain an enterprise architecture roadmap that supports business scalability, operational efficiency, and digital innovation.
Ensure interoperability across platforms and the seamless flow of data across business functions, from product development to customer support.

SKILLS & QUALIFICATIONS

15+ years of progressive technology leadership experience, with at least 5 years in a CIO or equivalent executive role in a digital, product-centric, or EdTech organization.
Proven experience managing enterprise IT infrastructure and digital product development in a mid- to large-sized company.
Demonstrated success delivering cloud-based, SaaS, and data-intensive products at scale, especially in education or regulated industries.
Deep understanding of the digital assessment lifecycle and the technology ecosystems that support high stakes learning experiences.
Familiarity with GenAI and its practical applications in educational content creation, personalization, and automation.
Strong background in IT governance, budgeting, strategic planning, and vendor management.
Experience leading cybersecurity strategy and risk management in alignment with ISO/IEC 27001, NIST, or similar frameworks.
Bachelor’s degree in computer science or commensurate education and experience, engineering, or related field; master’s degree or MBA preferred.

Key Competencies