Chief Information Officer

Vaco is hiring a Chief Information Officer (CIO) located in Toledo, OH.

The Chief Information Officer (CIO) will be responsible for leading technology strategy for a growing financial institution.

Vaco is conducting a search for a Chief Information Officer (CIO) on behalf of our client, a growing and community-focused financial institution headquartered in Toledo.
This is a newly created executive leadership role offering the opportunity to build and shape the organizations long-term technology vision while driving modernization, innovation, cybersecurity, and operational scalability.

The ideal candidate is a strategic and business-minded technology executive with experience leading IT organizations within banking, credit union, or other highly regulated financial environments.

This individual will serve as a key member of the executive leadership team and play a critical role in aligning technology initiatives with organizational growth, operational efficiency, regulatory compliance, and member/customer experience.
Key Responsibilities
Technology Strategy & Leadership

• Develop and execute a long-term technology roadmap aligned with organizational goals and future growth initiatives
• Lead all aspects of IT operations, infrastructure, cybersecurity, network, systems, and data strategy
• Partner closely with executive leadership to position technology as a strategic business driver

Digital Transformation

• Evaluate, recommend, and implement modern technologies that improve scalability, operational efficiency, and customer/member experience
• Lead enterprise-wide modernization initiatives across systems, platforms, and processes
• Identify opportunities for automation, innovation, and data-driven decision making

Cybersecurity & Risk Management

• Oversee cybersecurity strategy, data governance, disaster recovery, and business continuity planning
• Ensure compliance with applicable regulatory, audit, and risk management requirements
• Maintain strong internal controls and information security best practices within a regulated financial environment

Team Leadership & Culture

• Build, mentor, and develop high-performing technology teams
• Foster a collaborative, accountable, and service-oriented culture across the IT organization
• Serve as a trusted advisor and technology leader throughout the business

Vendor & Operational Management

• Manage strategic vendor relationships, contracts, and technology investments
• Oversee budgeting and resource planning for technology initiatives
• Ensure technology solutions deliver measurable business value and operational improvement

Executive & Board Partnership

• Communicate technology strategy, priorities, risks, and progress to executive leadership and the Board
• Help shape organizational strategy through a technology and innovation lens

Qualifications

• Bachelors degree in Information Systems, Computer Science, IT Management, or related field
• 10+ years of progressive IT leadership experience, including executive-level technology leadership
• Experience leading technology integration efforts related to mergers, acquisitions, or organizational expansion initiatives is strongly preferred
• Prior experience within banking, credit union, or financial services environments is highly preferred
• Strong understanding of cybersecurity, infrastructure, compliance, risk management, and enterprise systems
• Proven experience leading digital transformation and organizational modernization initiatives
• Demonstrated ability to align technology strategy with business objectives
• Strong executive presence with the ability to influence stakeholders across all levels of the organization
• Certifications such as ITIL, CISM, CISSP, COBIT, or PMP are a plus

Why This Opportunity?
This is a unique opportunity to step into a newly created CIO role and help shape the future of a respected and growing financial organization. The position offers strong executive visibility, influence at the leadership level, and the ability to make a lasting impact on both the business and the communities it serves.