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East Bay City Is Recruiting for Chief Technology Officer

San Leandro is seeking a tech leader with an eye for innovation and the skills to work with the city’s economic development agenda. A new enterprise resource planning (ERP) system is also planned.

The East Bay city of San Leandro is recruiting for a chief technology officer (CTO).

The new CTO, who will report to the assistant city manager and serve on the city executive team, will be the first to lead the newly created IT Department (ITD), which had been part of the city manager’s office. The city is in the midst of a comprehensive assessment that will inform the new CTO about the current state of IT operations and offer suggestions for the future.

San Leandro’s longtime tech leader was Tony Batalla, who was named last week as the city of Oakland’s new chief information officer. Between his eight-plus years in San Leandro and his newly announced role in Oakland, Batalla also served as chief information officer for Santa Cruz County.

San Leandro’s ideal candidate, according to the job posting, is an “experienced, ambitious, and results-driven” technology leader who “will develop leading-edge programs and sound policies that shape and guide the organization through enhanced operational efficiency and improved delivery of services.” The incumbent will have “high competency in project planning and experience negotiating and managing contracts, procuring services, and managing substantial operating and project budgets.”

The IT Department provides technology services for all city departments and is responsible for the organization’s IT infrastructure, computer network, database applications, geographic information systems and desktop support. The department also manages the city’s public Wi-Fi, its fiber optics network, its cybersecurity systems and its printing services. ITD also oversees delivery of innovation-related programs such as open data, data analytics, mobile apps and digital services.

The job posting says the new CTO “will be empowered to hit the ground running and recommend changes and resources needed that may include modifications in structure and staffing within the department.” The posting says San Leandro is “committed to investing in its technological future as is demonstrated in part by the creation of the new IT Department.”

The recruitment also comes at a pivotal time, as the city plans to implement a new enterprise resource planning (ERP) system.

“The successful candidate should have experience making presentations to elected and appointed officials, business leaders, and diverse public and private groups,” the posting says. “Depending on the audience, these presentations may focus on promoting the city’s accomplishments and attractiveness for business and innovation development.”

The CTO serves “as the organization’s champion for innovation and technology’s direct relationship with economic vitality,” the posting notes. “Staff in IT and Economic Development partner to advance projects and programs that promote sustainable economic development, including transforming San Leandro into a center for innovation.”

The city is seeking candidates with “at least six years of increasingly responsible management experience in information systems along with strong understanding of government IT programs and operations including core networking, data, analytics, infrastructure, cloud computing, emerging technologies, fiber-optic networking, and cybersecurity. A minimum of three years of management or supervisory experience is needed. Public-sector experience is highly desirable; however, a combination of public- and private-sector experience or transferrable private-sector experience will be considered favorably. Qualifications also include a bachelor’s degree in computer science, information systems/technology, business, public administration, or a closely related field. A master’s degree in the same is preferred.”

The annual salary range — which the city says is currently under review — is $169,848 to $206,448. The application deadline is midnight May 22. The job posting has additional details on the application process.
Dennis Noone is Executive Editor of Industry Insider. He is a career journalist, having worked at small-town newspapers and major metropolitan dailies including USA Today in Washington, D.C.