Vice President of IT

Job Summary

The Vice President of Information Technology (VP of IT) provides executive leadership and strategic direction for all information technology functions across the Alabama Port Authority. Reporting to the Chief Financial Officer, this position oversees enterprise systems, cybersecurity, infrastructure, applications, ERP management, data platforms, and digital innovation initiatives. The VP of IT ensures technology systems and services support operational reliability, security, safety, and organizational strategy. This position works closely with executive leadership to strengthen system performance, modernize core platforms, expand the effective use of automation and artificial intelligence, and support long-term digital transformation.

Essential Functions

(Duties may not include all duties listed below, nor do the examples cover all the duties which may be performed.)

1. Develops and executes the Authority's long-term technology strategy, ensuring alignment with organizational priorities, operational requirements, and financial objectives.

2. Provides executive leadership and oversight of all IT functions, including enterprise systems, infrastructure, applications, networks, technical support, and technology services, ensuring reliable and effective performance across the Authority.

3. Leads digital modernization and innovation initiatives, including the evaluation and adoption of emerging technologies, artificial intelligence, workflow automation, and intelligent decision-support tools to improve operational efficiency and service delivery.

4. Provides executive oversight of the Authority's Oracle ERP environment and other enterprise applications, ensuring system reliability, optimization, integration, and continuous improvement in collaboration with Finance, HR, Operations, Procurement, and other departments.

5. Establishes and oversees cybersecurity, technology risk management, business continuity, disaster recovery, and information security strategies to protect the Authority's technology assets, information, and critical operations.

6. Provides strategic direction for technology supporting corporate, security, terminal, and industrial operations, ensuring information technology and operational technology systems support organizational reliability, safety, and operational effectiveness.

7. Establishes performance expectations and accountability for IT operations, service delivery, system availability, and technical support, ensuring technology resources effectively meet organizational needs.

8. Directs enterprise technology planning and major IT initiatives, establishing project priorities, resource allocation, performance expectations, and accountability for successful implementation within approved schedules and budgets.

9. Develops and directs the IT operating budget, long-term capital planning, and technology investment priorities, evaluating enterprise applications, cloud solutions, AI technologies, and other investments for cost-effectiveness and organizational value.

10. Partners with executive leadership and department stakeholders to identify technology needs, strengthen reporting and analytics capabilities, improve business processes, and align technology solutions with strategic and operational goals.

11. Provides leadership, direction, and development of IT management and supervisory personnel, establishing performance expectations, promoting accountability, and supporting organizational capability, succession planning, and continuous improvement.

Supervisory Responsibility

Provides executive leadership and oversight of the Information Technology Department, including responsibility for the performance, development, and accountability of IT management and supervisory personnel. Establishes organizational priorities, evaluates staffing and resource needs, and develops leadership capabilities to support the Authority's strategic and operational objectives.

Minimum Required Education and Experience

Minimum Focus Areas

Education

Bachelor's degree

Computer Science, Information Technology, Information Systems, Business Administration, or related field

Experience

10 years

Progressively responsible information technology experience, including at least 5 years in a senior leadership role overseeing multiple IT functions, enterprise systems, technical teams, budgets, and major technology initiatives

Preferred Qualifications: Master's degree or MBA. Experience leading enterprise technology functions in complex, industrial, transportation, logistics, or similarly operationally intensive environments.

Substitutions allowed for Education: Experience may substitute for education on a year-for-year basis beyond the required experience.

Substitutions allowed for Experience: Indicated experience is required; no substitutions allowed.

Minimum Required Knowledge:

· Comprehensive knowledge of enterprise information technology strategy, infrastructure, applications, cloud environments, and IT service delivery.

· Strong understanding of cybersecurity governance, technology risk management, business continuity, and disaster recovery principles.

· Demonstrated knowledge of enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems, including system integration, optimization, and organizational reporting. Oracle ERP experience strongly preferred.

· Knowledge of emerging technologies, artificial intelligence, workflow automation, and digital transformation opportunities.

· Strong financial and business acumen, including technology budgeting, capital planning, vendor management, and investment evaluation.

· Proven ability to lead complex technology initiatives, manage organizational change, and establish accountability for project outcomes.

· Excellent executive leadership, communication, strategic planning, and decision-making skills, with the ability to develop leaders and collaborate effectively across organizational functions.

Certification or Licensure Requirements

Valid driver's license.

Ability to obtain TWIC.

Physical Requirements/ADA

Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer. Occasionally requires standing, walking, and visiting operational facilities. May require occasional exposure to industrial, outdoor, and marine terminal environments.

Pay: $146,322.00 - $248,748.00 per year

Benefits:

• Dental insurance
• Flexible spending account
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Retirement plan
• Vision insurance

Application Question(s):

• Describe your years of IT experience, including your senior leadership roles, the size of the teams you managed, and the IT functions under your responsibility.
• Describe a major technology initiative you led, including your role in strategic planning, budgeting, implementation, and the results achieved.
• Explain your experience overseeing enterprise systems, including ERP platforms, cybersecurity, infrastructure, and business continuity planning.
• Describe your experience managing IT budgets, developing technology leaders, and collaborating with executive leadership to achieve organizational goals.

Work Location: In person

Salary : $146,322 - $248,748