IT DIRECTOR -02172026-75281

Executive Service

This position is designed as Hybrid.

CJIS/FTI Fingerprints and name based background checks.

This position requires a criminal background check. Therefore, you may be required to provide information about your criminal history in order to be considered for this position.

Who we are and what we do:

At DHS, technology is at the heart of delivering essential services to Tennessee families. Your leadership will ensure these systems remain modern, efficient, and future-ready, enabling better outcomes for citizens statewide.

How you make a difference in this role:

The State of Tennessee is seeking an experienced IT Director to lead the management and continued modernization of business software applications within the Department of Human Services. This is a unique opportunity to combine strategic leadership, innovation, and public service to make a lasting impact on communities across Tennessee.

As IT Director, you will oversee a team of fewer than 25 IT professionals and collaborate closely with DHS leadership to shape technology strategy, drive modernization initiatives, and ensure secure, scalable solutions that support critical programs such as Family Assistance, Appeals and Hearings, Quality Control, and Quality Assurance.

Key Responsibilities:

Strategic Planning:

1. Develop and execute IT strategies aligned with STS policies and DHS objectives.
2. Modernization Leadership: Drive initiatives to implement modernized applications, cloud solutions, and digital services.
3. Team Leadership: Supervise and mentor IT staff, fostering a culture of accountability and professional growth.
4. Budget & Vendor Oversight: Manage technology contracts, procurement, and resource planning for IT investments.
5. Cybersecurity Governance: Ensure compliance with state and federal security standards and participate in cybersecurity initiatives.
6. Project Management: Direct major IT projects, including software implementations and system integrations.
   

Governance & Compliance:

1. Enforce IT standards and monitor operations for regulatory compliance, accessibility, and open data initiatives.
2. Stakeholder Engagement: Collaborate with department leadership, external agencies, and vendors to meet evolving technology needs.
3. Continuity & Disaster Recovery: Maintain robust disaster recovery and business continuity plans.
4. Product Vision & Road mapping: Define and maintain a clear product vision and multi-year roadmap for DHS business applications, balancing modernization, regulatory requirements, and operational stability
5. Outcome Measurement: Establish and monitor outcome-based success measures for business applications, including service reliability, operational efficiency, user experience, and risk reduction.
   

Prioritization & Tradeoff Management:

1. Apply structured prioritization and tradeoff frameworks to sequence initiatives across the application portfolio based on impact, risk, funding, and capacity.

Minimum Qualifications:

Education & Experience:

Bachelor's degree and 7 years of professional IT experience, including 3 years in management.

OR

An IT-specific associate degree plus 2 additional years of IT leadership experience.

Preferred Experience:

1. Leading modernization initiatives.
2. Managing enterprise-scale projects and maintenance activities.
3. Vendor and contract management in a complex environment.

Pursuant to the State of Tennessees Workplace Discrimination and Harassment policy, the State is firmly committed to the principle of fair and equal employment opportunities for its citizens and strives to protect the rights and opportunities of all people to seek, obtain, and hold employment without being subjected to illegal discrimination and harassment in the workplace. It is the States policy to provide an environment free of discrimination and harassment of an individual because of that persons race, color, national origin, age (40 and over), sex, pregnancy, religion, creed, disability, veterans status or any other category protected by state and/or federal civil rights laws.