Chief Technology Officer (CTO)

At the Allegheny County Department of Human Services (DHS), our mission is to improve the well-being of the County’s most vulnerable residents. DHS operates, influences, and funds essential services worth more than $1 billion annually, supporting over 200,000 residents each year. These services include treatment for mental health and addiction, homeless housing, and child and older adult protective services. 

Over the past two decades, DHS has built a national reputation as a leader in how state and local governments use data, analytics, and technology to deliver more effective and efficient public services. While we have learned a great deal during this time, we believe there remain significant opportunities for technology to improve outcomes for residents and to inspire other governments to make similar investments. 

We are seeking a Chief Technology Officer (CTO) to lead technology strategy, product design, software development, and enterprise IT and security functions, and to oversee an annual technology budget of more than $20 million. The CTO will guide the development of digital products for a wide range of stakeholders, from child welfare caseworkers to homeless shelter staff, while ensuring the reliability, security, and integrity of DHS systems and data. Current initiatives include modernizing how DHS manages and funds services through improved contracting systems, building tools that support better care coordination across providers and programs, improving how residents discover and access human services online, and creating automated, low-friction digital pathways for clients to receive goods and services without unnecessary physical or manual steps. 

This position reports to the Director of Analytics and Technology and oversees 4 direct and 75 indirect-report staff. 

Ideal Candidate 

The ideal candidate is a technologist and leader with a track record of building and leading high-performing product and engineering teams, and a strong instinct for identifying opportunities where technology can meaningfully improve services and outcomes. This leader embraces an iterative, product-driven approach, testing ideas through pilots and prototypes, learning quickly from feedback, and refining solutions to better serve staff, partners, and residents. 

They have a deep understanding of software development and engineering leadership, but focus their energy on setting vision, empowering teams, and delivering impactful products rather than writing code themselves. They have experience leading software or product development efforts, ideally in complex environments with diverse users. Experience in the technology sector or with modern digital product practices is highly valued. 

The ideal candidate has experience developing and executing strategic initiatives, balancing long-term sustainability with the ability to move quickly and deliver tangible improvements. They are an effective collaborator and communicator, able to work across a wide range of stakeholders, align competing priorities, and maintain strong working relationships while keeping the focus on outcomes for DHS clients. They are deeply motivated by mission-driven work, with a commitment to using technology to improve the lives of Allegheny County’s most vulnerable residents. 

Job Responsibilities: 

As a key member of the DHS leadership team, the CTO will have significant latitude to innovate and shape how technology advances our mission and will: 

• Lead teams across product management, design, engineering, customer success, and enterprise IT, including infrastructure, security, and compliance. Together, these teams design, build, and operate digital tools and platforms that help DHS staff and community-based providers better serve Allegheny County residents. 

• Lead the overall technology strategy for DHS, spanning digital product development, enterprise IT, infrastructure, and cybersecurity 

• Build and lead multidisciplinary teams across product management, user experience, engineering, IT, and security, fostering a culture of ownership, collaboration, and continuous improvement 

• Drive a product-focused approach to technology delivery while ensuring systems are reliable, secure, and compliant with applicable standards and regulations 

• Identify opportunities to modernize and simplify service delivery, using technology to automate processes, reduce friction for clients and providers, and improve how residents discover and access human services 

• Oversee the architecture, delivery, and operation of modern software platforms and IT systems, balancing open-source innovation, cost efficiency, and long-term sustainability 

• Establish and maintain strong security, privacy, and risk management practices to protect sensitive client and program data 

• Manage a portfolio of major technology initiatives and vendor partnerships, ensuring high-quality delivery and effective risk mitigation 

• Collaborate closely with program leaders and community partners to ensure new tools support real-world workflows and improve operational effectiveness 

• Stay current on emerging technologies and practices, identifying opportunities to improve service delivery, data use, and system resilience 

Qualifications 

Preferred: 

• Demonstrated success in managing IT infrastructure, IT budgets, software development and systems architecture. 

• Proven track record of successfully leading large-scale technology projects, delivering results on time and within budget. 

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to leverage data and insights for informed decision-making. 

• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams and senior executives. 

Minimum Qualifications: 

•  Five years of leadership experience in a complex enterprise, including responsibility for staff management and results delivery. 

• Demonstrated training in software engineering, information systems, or a related technical field, gained through formal education, professional experience, or equivalent applied work. 

• Demonstrated experience building, deploying, and maintaining production-grade systems or platforms. 

• Demonstrated experience leading engineering or IT teams, including responsibility for system architecture, delivery, and operations. 

• Experience working in resource-constrained or highly regulated environments (e.g., government, healthcare) preferred. 

Or 

• Equivalent combinations of education, training, and experience that demonstrate the required capabilities will be considered. 

If hired for this position, you would be a full-time employee of our contract agency partner, Community Family Advocates (CFA), working directly with Allegheny County Department of Human Services (DHS).

CFA offers a generous benefits package including but, not limited to: health, dental, vision, vacation and sick leave, and career advancement. The compensation for this position is $150,000. 

Applicants are encouraged to apply before June 26, 2026. 

Salary : $150,000