Chief Information Officer

CHIEF INFORMATION OFFICERSandia Area Federal Credit Union$1.4B AssetsAlbuquerque, NM Where technology and innovation meet executive partnership to transform the future of banking.Sandia Area Federal Credit Union (Sandia Area FCU) is seeking a strategic, collaborative, and business-minded Chief Information Officer (CIO) to help lead its transformation into a digital-first credit union. Reporting to the President-CEO and serving as a key member of the executive leadership team, the CIO will operate as a true business partner, bringing ideas forward, challenging conventional thinking, and moving with the organization to turn strategy into action. The OpportunityThis is not a traditional IT leadership role. Sandia Area FCU is looking for a CIO with a fintech and start-up mindset, an entrepreneurial leader who sees technology, data, and digital capabilities as opportunities to create new ways of serving members, improving the business, and positioning the credit union for growth. The CIO will help shape both technology strategy and the business strategy, with significant emphasis on data strategy, digital banking, fintech partnerships, automation, artificial intelligence, emerging technologies, enterprise integration, and a connected 360-degree member experience. This leader will bring an outward-looking perspective, stay close to developments across financial technology, and identify where new capabilities or partnerships can create meaningful value. With the technology foundation in place, the CIO will build upon that progress by advancing enterprise infrastructure, cybersecurity, data governance, business intelligence, enterprise applications, and scalable digital capabilities. The goal is to create a more connected, data-driven, agile organization while strengthening both the employee and member experience. Success in this role requires more than technical expertise. The ideal candidate will be a proactive and collaborative executive who enjoys leading change, building high-performing teams, and translating technology into practical business solutions that move the organization forward. The CIO will be expected to anticipate what is next, bring ideas and solutions forward, make informed decisions, and move from strategy to execution with urgency and sound judgment. Key ResponsibilitiesDevelop and execute an enterprise technology strategy that supports the credit union's strategic plan and digital-first vision.Lead enterprise infrastructure, cybersecurity, enterprise applications, technology operations, and business continuity while ensuring secure, reliable, and scalable technology services.Drive digital transformation initiatives, including enterprise data strategy, business intelligence, automation, process standardization, system integration, and a comprehensive 360-degree CRM environment.Provide executive leadership for technology governance, project prioritization, vendor partnerships, and technology investments, including the Jack Henry ecosystem.Partner with executive leadership to identify opportunities where technology improves operational efficiency, enhances member experience, and supports sustainable growth.Build, develop, and inspire a high-performing technology organization focused on collaboration, accountability, innovation, and service. The Ideal CandidateThe successful candidate is both a seasoned technology executive and a collaborative business leader. This individual brings the technical credibility to lead a modern technology organization while possessing the executive presence and business acumen to influence strategy, develop people, and build strong relationships across the enterprise. Bachelor's degree in Information Technology, Computer Science, Business, or a related field; an advanced degree is preferred.10+ years of progressive technology leadership experience, including executive-level responsibility leading enterprise technology strategy.Experience working with Jack Henry core platforms or comparable core banking systems, along with an understanding of the broader financial services technology ecosystem.Demonstrated success developing and executing enterprise data strategies including data governance, business intelligence, analytics, data integration, and data-driven decision-making.Experience leading digital banking, fintech partnerships, artificial intelligence, automation, emerging technologies, enterprise integrations, CRM, and cloud-based technologies.Strong leadership experience across infrastructure, cybersecurity, enterprise applications, technology operations, and business continuity, with a focus on building secure, scalable, and reliable technology environments.An entrepreneurial, forward-thinking approach with the ability to evaluate emerging technologies, challenge conventional thinking, and translate innovation into practical business opportunities.Proven ability to build and develop high-performing teams, lead organizational change, and create a culture of accountability, collaboration, innovation, and continuous improvement.Strong business acumen and executive communication skills, with the ability to translate complex technology opportunities and risks into clear business recommendations.Demonstrated ability to serve as a strategic thought partner to the CEO and executive leadership team, operating with autonomy, urgency, sound judgment, and a strong sense of ownership.Experience within a credit union, financial institution, fintech, or other highly regulated industry is preferred. ABOUT DDJ MYERS, an ALM First CompanyDDJ Myers is the executive search consultant for this organization. Our expertise is in supporting leadership teams in sustainable practices for high-performing organizations through succession planning, leadership development programs, executive coaching, board governance and renewal, and executive search. Learn more about us at www.ddjmyers.com.