Chief Information Officer

The Superior Court of California, County of Riverside is seeking a visionary and forward‑thinking Chief Information Officer (CIO) to lead the Court’s enterprise technology strategy and digital transformation efforts.

This is a rare executive opportunity for an accomplished technology leader who can align innovation with public service, modernize operations, strengthen cybersecurity, and deliver technology solutions that support the evolving needs of the Court, judicial officers, staff, justice partners, and the communities we serve.

Under general direction of the Court Executive Officer and as a key member of the Court’s executive leadership team, the CIO will shape the future of technology across one of California’s largest and most dynamic trial courts.

Why This Role Matters

Technology plays a critical role in advancing access to justice, operational excellence, and service delivery. The CIO will provide strategic direction over the Court’s technology ecosystem and ensure the organization is positioned to meet current and future business needs.

This role is ideal for a leader who can:

• Drive enterprise‑wide digital transformation
• Build and sustain a high‑performing technology organization
• Translate business needs into scalable technology solutions
• Lead innovation while maintaining stability, security, and service continuity
• Partner effectively with executive leadership, judicial officers, justice partners, and vendors

What You’ll Lead

The CIO provides executive oversight of the Court’s technology environment, including a staffing headcount of 37 Information Technology Division professionals, an annual technology budget for 2025‑2026 of $10,910,000, all operating within three core pillars:

Infrastructure & User Support

Lead enterprise infrastructure, service delivery, end‑user support, systems reliability, and cybersecurity operations to ensure secure and seamless day‑to‑day court operations.

Custom Application Development

Oversee the strategy, development, enhancement, and maintenance of internally developed systems that support court business functions.

Business Systems

Direct the implementation, administration, optimization, and integration of commercial off‑the‑shelf (COTS) applications, including critical court technology platforms.

Key Executive Responsibilities

• Develop and execute a court‑wide technology strategy aligned with organizational priorities
• Partner with executive leadership to identify opportunities for innovation, efficiency, and modernization
• Lead enterprise technology planning, governance, budgeting, and investment prioritization
• Advance the Court’s cybersecurity posture, risk mitigation, and system resiliency
• Oversee systems integration, interoperability, data strategy, and modernization efforts
• Evaluate emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence, cloud strategy, and future‑ready architecture
• Strengthen organizational capacity by mentoring leaders, developing staff, and building sustainable technical expertise
• Direct vendor management, procurement strategy, service contracts, and technology‑related RFP processes
• Champion a user‑centered approach to technology that prioritizes accessibility, usability, and operational effectiveness
• Represent the Court in partnerships with the Judicial Council of California, justice agencies, external stakeholders, and industry partners

For a complete list of the qualifications and essential duties, please refer to the job description.

The Ideal Candidate

The successful candidate will be a strategic executive with a strong record of leading complex technology operations and organizational transformation.

We are looking for a leader who brings:

• Executive‑level experience leading enterprise technology strategy
• Strong operational and strategic knowledge across infrastructure, applications, cybersecurity, and systems integration
• Experience managing complex budgets, projects, vendor relationships, and cross‑functional initiatives
• The ability to inspire teams, develop leaders, and build a culture of accountability and innovation
• Exceptional communication skills with the ability to translate technical concepts for executive and non‑technical audiences
• Sound judgment, political acumen, and the ability to lead in a highly collaborative public‑sector environment

Experience in a court, justice, government, or a similarly complex public service environment is highly desirable.

Minimum Qualifications

A typical way to qualify is:

• A bachelor’s and/or master’s degree from an accredited college or university in information systems, computer science, IT management, business administration, public administration, systems engineering, application development, telecommunications, or a closely related field; and
• Seven (7) years of progressively responsible management experience in technology leadership, including areas such as:

• Strategic planning
• Budgeting and forecasting
• Business process improvement
• Project and portfolio management
• Organizational development
• Systems design and implementation

What Sets This Opportunity Apart

This is more than a traditional IT leadership role. It is an opportunity to help shape how a major public institution delivers services, supports judicial operations, and prepares for the future.

The CIO will have the ability to influence:

• Organizational transformation
• Technology modernization
• Cybersecurity readinessAI and innovation strategy
• Long‑term operational excellence across the Court

Benefits

We offer:

• Annual merit increases for satisfactory job performance
• A robust benefit plan including medical, dental, vision and court‑paid short‑term and long‑term disability insurance
• Court‑paid basic life/accidental dismemberment (AD&D) insurance in the amount of $50,000/$50,000
• A pension plan provided by the California Public Employer’s Retirement System also known as CalPERS. You will contribute between 7% and 8% of your biweekly pay, depending on your membership status
• A 401(a)‑retirement account where the court contributes $50 per pay period
• Optional life insurance and deferred compensation programs
• Generous leave accruals
• Fourteen (14) paid holidays
• Court‑paid parking in Downtown Riverside
• Bereavement leave
• Tuition discounts
• Alternative work schedule
• Qualified employer for Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) or Temporary Expanded PSLF (TEPSLF) Certification

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