Chief Technology Officer – (CTO)

SkyWater has been retained by a regional bank ($5B-10B in total assets) with a strong presence across the Upper Midwest and Southwest to identify their Chief Technology Officer (CTO).

This organization is seeking to continue with their technology modernization efforts across IT, data, and information security. With nearly 30 branches across 4 states and over 100 years or serving rural and urban communities they are well positioned for the future. With a U.S. based technology team of approximately 50 FTEs and 3 Dir/VP level direct reports this CTO will spearhead several new initiatives and challenges; from establishing a true enterprise data strategy, cloud modernization, defining how AI can best serve the business, addressing technical debt, and prioritizing cybersecurity, there is no shortage of exciting work ahead.

The ideal candidate will have served in a banking / financial services or an adjacent domain IT leadership (1 or #2) role within a highly regulated environment, preferably with a software engineering / technology background. The candidate will have experience leading a professional services technology organization and develop processes that optimize team efficiency, deliver ROI for tech investments, and ensure that the technology roadmap is well aligned with broader company strategy. The candidate will have experience positioning an organization to remain tech forward while not chasing shiny objects and possess a strong mix of business and technology acumen. With this seat at the executive table, you will be a true business partner, not just a technologist and instrumental in making sure their technology digital roadmap creates innovation aligned with business goals.

If you are interested in learning more about the opportunity, please apply directly.

No sponsorship is available and this position requires someone to be on-site in the Twin Cities, MN

Responsibilities

• Technology Strategy & Leadership - Develop and execute a business-aligned technology roadmap that drives measurable outcomes, optimizes operations, enables innovation, and positions technology as a strategic growth engine for the organization.
• Architecture & Infrastructure - Design and secure scalable system architectures, lead complex API and banking integrations, and oversee on-premises and cloud strategy, migrations, and infrastructure security to ensure resilience, performance, and compliance.
• Cybersecurity & Risk - Implement comprehensive cybersecurity frameworks, conduct threat modeling and disaster recovery planning, and manage vendor relationships with rigorous third-party risk assessments to ensure security, resilience, and compliance.
• Data & Analytics – Develop data architecture and governance strategies, leverage analytics, AI, ML for key business processes.
• Development Oversight – Promote Agile, SDLC best practices, code quality standards, security integration.
• Fintech Expertise – Drive innovation for payment platforms, BaaS, and related technologies.
• Regulatory Compliance - Ensure adherence to AML, KYC, and applicable regulatory frameworks while enabling responsible innovation, and lead preparation, coordination, and oversight for enterprise-wide regulatory IT examinations.

Desired Skills And Experience

• Senior technology leader with extensive experience driving innovation and transformation within highly regulated industries.
• Deep expertise in enterprise architecture, cybersecurity, cloud infrastructure, data governance, and advanced analytics technologies.
• Strong understanding of AI, machine learning, real-time data processing, and regulatory compliance frameworks, with hands-on risk management experience.
• Proven ability to manage large-scale technology budgets, align investments to strategic business objectives, and lead distributed global teams.
• Recognized for exceptional leadership, communication, and team-building capabilities, fostering high-performing and results-driven technology organizations.