Illinois TRS is a statewide public retirement system, one of the 30 largest public pension plans in the country. TRS provides retirement, disability and death benefits to teachers employed by Illinois public elementary and secondary schools outside the city of Chicago. The System is governed by a 15-member Board of Trustees.

Please note that this position is open until filled. Candidates for this role are being reviewed as they apply.

Position Overview:

The Director of Information Technology serves as the senior executive officer responsible for providing leadership and management to the IT Department and is responsible for system-wide planning, management, security, establishing and enforcement of IT and Security policies and coordination of the technology resources for the System. The incumbent will demonstrate a healthy balance of people management and technical skills.

This position is strategic in nature while also overseeing daily operations, trouble shooting and problem-solving solutions. The incumbent must focus on team building, providing essential tools for staff success, and leveraging the expertise of internal staff and users while augmenting staff when necessary. The IT Director shall also focus on customer relations by fostering strong partnerships with TRS leadership and internal department heads to ensure the IT department enables the success of the organization.

Essential Functions:

• Responsible for the planning, direction and execution of all IT functions including Application Development and IT Infrastructure (Networking; Servers, Telecom, End User Computing, User support), Database Management; Cyber Security; and Delivery and Quality Assurance.
• Responsible for the delivery of the TRS Pension Administration System (PAS). The IT Director is responsible for understanding and setting the product goals, vision, and priorities based on business needs and objectives. This includes directing the product’s planning, development, administration, and implementation in partnership with the Deputy Director of Enterprise Applications.
• Establish and maintain IT policies to ensure appropriate use and security of TRS systems.
• Assess department needs in terms of staffing and budget to meet the technology needs of TRS.
• Provide supervisory guidance, leadership and mentoring to IT managers.
• Assist managers in developing a diverse, high-performing and customer-oriented staff through goal setting and encouraging professional and personal staff development.
• Create motivated work teams by developing trust, fostering open communication and demonstrating a commitment to the mission and goals of the System.
• Support the use of Agile principles and methodology.
• Engage in succession planning to assure the stability of the System and continuity of services.
• Plan and budget for the immediate and long-term needs of the department including resource needs, new technology and organizational design.
• Review and maintain existing information technology systems. Plan, direct and execute necessary replacement and implementation of such systems.
• Provide efficient and secure information technology systems for TRS and its members.
• Ensure policies and procedures are followed throughout the vendor procurement process. Assist in the negotiation of contractual agreements with business partners and external vendors.
• Contribute proactively to TRS’s leadership team. This team is responsible for executive level decision making including strategic planning, budgeting and priority setting. Provide counsel to the executive team on issues relating to information technology needs and services.
• Assist in providing information on technology matters to the Board of Trustees as it pertains to budget planning and major project initiatives.

Minimum Requirements:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Information Technology, Computer Science or other related field, Or five (5) years of relevant experience in lieu of a degree.
• 5 or more years of technology senior leadership experience in a public or private sector retirement system or major consultancy.
• 10 or more years of IT experience of progressive responsibility
• 3 or more years of Application development experience strongly preferred
• Experience in contract negotiations.
• Experience developing RFPs or RFIs and experience evaluating responses is strongly preferred.
• Strong analysis, organizational and interpersonal skills
• Experience managing/working with contractors
• Experience with agile SDLC methodology
• Experience developing budgets for large IT implementations or application development projects.
• Strong oral and written communications skills and ability to present to large government customer audience
• 2+ years of experience managing large, multiyear system implementation projects with annual budgets of $5 million or more.
• 3 years project management experience.

Benefits, etc.:

• State, health, dental, life, and vision insurance
• Full-time employees work 35 hours/wk
• 12 vacation, 12 sick, and 3 personal time days of compensated time
• Teachers’ Retirement System Pension
• Deferred compensation plan

TRS is an equal opportunity employer. All aspects of employment including the decision to hire, promote, discipline, or discharge, will be based on merit, competence, performance, and business needs. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, marital status, age, national origin, ancestry, physical or mental disability, medical condition, pregnancy, genetic information, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, veteran status, or any other status protected under federal, state, or local law.

If you require a reasonable accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) throughout the recruitment process, please reach out to us at the following email: careers@trsil.org