Demo

vCIO

Columbia Advisory Group
Albany, NY Full Time
POSTED ON 5/30/2026
AVAILABLE BEFORE 6/28/2026
Virtual Chief Information Officer (vCIO)

Full-Time | Strategic Technology Leadership | Client-Facing Role

  • Small to Mid-sized organization. Large company CIOs would be over qualified/over the pay range.
  • No 3rd parties please. No sponsorship available.

About The Role

The Virtual Chief Information Officer (vCIO) serves as a trusted advisor and strategic technology leader for assigned clients. This role blends executive-level IT strategy, business acumen, and relationship management to help organizations align their technology roadmap with long-term business objectives.

The vCIO is responsible for guiding clients through technology planning, cybersecurity posture, modernization initiatives, and bestpractice alignment while coordinating cross-functional teams to ensure exceptional delivery of service and value.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Planning & Client Advisory

  • Serve as the primary technology strategist and executive liaison for assigned client accounts.
  • Develop multi-year IT roadmaps aligned with organizational goals, budgets, risk appetite, and growth plans.
  • Lead and deliver IT Reviews, QBRs, and strategic planning sessions to ensure client alignment and satisfaction.
  • Advise on cybersecurity, compliance, business continuity, and overall IT governance.
  • Identify opportunities for technology improvement, cost optimization, and operational efficiency.

Technology Leadership & Best Practices

  • Guide clients through cloud adoption, infrastructure modernization, and digital transformation initiatives.
  • Ensure ongoing alignment with industry best practices, standard operating procedures, and technology standards.
  • Maintain deep working knowledge of the company’s technology stack, lifecycle management standards, and strategic platforms (e.g., ConnectWise Manage/Automate, RMM/PSA tooling, reporting platforms).
  • Stay current on emerging technologies and develop recommendations that drive measurable business impact.

Project & Initiative Oversight

  • Partner with Project Managers and Engineers to scope, design, and communicate project proposals and business cases.
  • Provide high-level technical oversight, ensuring accuracy and feasibility of proposed solutions.
  • Support proactive planning for technology refresh cycles, infrastructure improvements, and endoflife systems.

Client Relationship Management

  • Build and sustain trusted executive-level relationships with client decision-makers.
  • Conduct recurring client meetings (typically 2–4 times per year) to maintain alignment and reinforce strategic value.
  • Serve as a highlevel point of contact for client escalations, roadblocks, and longrange planning.

Internal Collaboration & Leadership

  • Work crossfunctionally with Sales, Engineering, Procurement, and Leadership to ensure seamless client delivery.
  • Mentor junior team members and contribute to the development of internal processes, templates, and playbooks.
  • Review and enhance internal documentation, workflows, and operational standards to elevate service delivery.

Qualifications

Required

  • Demonstrated experience in IT strategy, consulting, or senior technical leadership roles.
  • Strong understanding of infrastructure, cloud technologies, cybersecurity principles, and modern IT architectures.
  • Exceptional communication skills, with the ability to translate complex technical concepts into executivelevel business language.
  • Experience facilitating client meetings, roadmapping discussions, and strategic planning sessions.
  • Ability to manage multiple client portfolios, initiatives, and competing priorities.
  • Currently in or near the Albany, NY, area.
  • Able to work for any U.S. employer without requiring sponsorship at any time (no third parties).

Preferred

  • Experience working within an MSP or multi-client advisory model.
  • Familiarity with platforms such as ConnectWise (ERP/PSA), Automate (RMM), Quoter, Lifecycle Manager or similar systems.
  • Background in project planning, budgeting, or ITIL-based service frameworks.
  • Experience influencing technical standards and process improvement initiatives.

Success Criteria

  • High levels of client satisfaction and retention.
  • Clear, strategic technology roadmaps that drive measurable client outcomes.
  • Consistent delivery of highquality QBRs, IT Reviews, and strategic initiatives.
  • Strong internal collaboration resulting in accurate scoping, successful project outcomes, and aligned expectations.

Core Competencies & Behaviors

  • Strategic Thinking & Technology Roadmapping

Competency: Ability to design and communicate longterm technology strategies that align with a client’s business goals.

Behaviors:

  • Develops multiyear IT roadmaps and investment plans.
  • Anticipates client needs, risks, and modernization opportunities.
  • Translates technical concepts into business outcomes for executives.

Performance Indicators:

  • Clear, actionable IT strategies aligned with organizational objectives.
  • Roadmaps presented and approved during client QBRs/IT Reviews.
  • Client Executive Communication & Relationship Management

Competency: Builds trust and credibility at the Csuite level and serves as the primary strategic contact.

Behaviors:

  • Conducts recurring client leadership meetings (2–4× per year).
  • Facilitates highquality QBR/IT Review presentations.
  • Manages sensitive escalations with calm professionalism.

Performance Indicators:

  • Strong client satisfaction and retention.
  • Positive feedback from POCs and executive sponsors.
  • IT Governance, Security, & Risk Advisory

Competency: Guides clients toward secure, compliant, and resilient technology practices.

Behaviors:

  • Advises on cybersecurity posture, compliance frameworks, risk mitigation, and business continuity.
  • Identifies gaps and drives alignment with best practices across infrastructure, cloud, and security.

Performance Indicators:

  • Documented improvements in client security posture and operational maturity.
  • Alignment with internal SOPs and industry bestpractice frameworks.
  • Technical Oversight & Project Leadership

Competency: Ensures proposed and active projects are strategically sound and technically accurate.

Behaviors:

  • Partners with PMs and Engineers to scope, design, and validate project proposals.
  • Provides technical oversight and holds teams accountable to standards and SOPs.

Performance Indicators:

  • Accurate, achievable project scopes with minimal rework.
  • Projects delivered on time, on budget, and in alignment with client strategy.
  • Business Acumen & Budget Planning

Competency: Understands how technology impacts financial performance and operational efficiency.

Behaviors:

  • Creates technology budgets tied to lifecycle and initiative planning.
  • Helps clients prioritize investments based on ROI and business value.

Performance Indicators:

  • Predictable spend forecasting and informed client decision-making.
  • Increased efficiency, cost savings, or risk reduction documented in QBRs.
  • Tool Proficiency & Operational Excellence

Competency: Utilizes internal systems to drive consistent, highquality service delivery.

Behaviors:

  • Uses PSA/RMM tools (e.g., ConnectWise Manage, Automate) for reporting, planning, and governance.
  • Reviews and improves documentation, workflows, and internal standards.
  • Mentors junior team members on tools, processes, and strategy.

Performance Indicators:

  • Accurate documentation, improved operational consistency, and reduced variance.
  • Effective use of system data for strategy and planning.
  • CrossFunctional Collaboration & Influence

Competency: Works effectively with Sales, Engineering, Procurement, and Leadership to ensure unified execution.

Behaviors:

  • Supports presales conversations as a strategic advisor.
  • Provides internal clarity on client expectations and upcoming initiatives.
  • Ensures alignment between strategy, execution, and outcomes.

Performance Indicators:

  • Smooth project handoffs and reduced internal friction.
  • Improved clarity and predictability across teams.

Salary.com Estimation for vCIO in Albany, NY
$275,268 to $387,997
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