About This Position
Phoenix is the capital city of Arizona and at the heart of one of the fastest growing economies in the United States. With almost 1.7 million residents, it¿s the fifth largest city in the country and one of the top destinations for businesses and professionals. Known as the Valley of the Sun, Phoenix is not only a great place to live, but also to make a living. The City of Phoenix Aviation Department and Information Technology Services Department are seeking experienced candidates for an Assistant Chief Information Officer to develop and grow the state¿s largest economic engine, Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport.
The Aviation Department is an enterprise fund department within the City of Phoenix that provides strategic oversight, operation, and administration of three airports: Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (primary commercial hub), Phoenix Deer Valley Airport (general aviation reliever), and Phoenix Goodyear Airport (general aviation reliever). Named America¿s best large airport by the Wall Street Journal in 2023, Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport is also known as America¿s Friendliest Airport®. Located in the heart of the southwestern United States, it¿s one of the busiest airports in the country, serving more than 52 million passengers in 2024. Additionally, the Phoenix Airport System is the largest economic engine in the state of Arizona with an estimated $44.3 billion annual economic impact. 27 airlines provide nonstop service to 146 destinations across the world. Sky Harbor also features awardwinning restaurants, local shops, one of the largest airport museum programs in the country, a renowned volunteer program, and many other customer amenities developed to create an empowered, accessible, and customer-friendly travel experience, including a therapy dog program, a compassion corner for neurodivergent travelers, nursing rooms, a music program, service animal relief areas, a nationally-recognized dementiafriendly workshop to educate travelers in need of assistance, and more.
The City of Phoenix is seeking an innovative and strategic Assistant Chief Information Officer (ACIO) to support the Aviation Department¿s IT strategy, infrastructure, operations, and lead digital transformation initiatives across Phoenix Sky Harbor, Deer Valley, and Goodyear Airports. This executive-level role reports to the City¿s CIO and is embedded into the Aviation Department organization to lead a dedicated team of technology professionals. The successful candidate will play a vital part in enhancing operational efficiency, improving customer experience, and advancing the City¿s mission through technology.
This position serves as a technology leader and trusted advisor to airport leadership, overseeing all aviation-related IT systems and infrastructure in a dynamic 24/7/365 environment. The Assistant CIO will manage critical systems such as access control, parking, common use, gate management, passenger Wi-Fi, flight and baggage information, and identity management. They will align IT solutions with airport goals, create a culture of innovation, and ensure technology investments are secure, scalable, and service-oriented. The Assistant CIO will collaborate with City stakeholders, understand key business requirements, and develop strategies to implement and support transformational initiatives.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead strategic planning and implementation of the airport¿s digital strategy
- Direct day-to-day support for mission-critical systems and services
- Ensure high-availability IT environments with 99.9%+ uptime
- Manage IT capital and operating budgets, contracts, and vendor performance
- Oversee application development, GIS, digital, infrastructure, network, and airport systems
- In coordination with the ITS/Information Security Office, oversee cybersecurity functions
- Guide IT project delivery and performance measurement
- Serve as liaison to internal stakeholders and external industry partners ¿ Represent the airport in forums and discussions on aviation technology
- Lead crisis response and continuity planning for IT operations
- Test and operationalize emerging technologies within the Aviation Department
- Foster a culture of continuous improvement and service excellence
The ideal candidate is a visionary leader with exceptional communication, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills. They demonstrate resilience in high-pressure environments, inspire collaboration across multidisciplinary teams, and are committed to transparency, equity, and innovation in public service.
Qualifications
- Bachelor¿s or Master¿s degree in IT, business, or related field
- 10+ years of progressive IT leadership, with 5+ years in executive roles
- Direct experience with airport/aviation systems and cybersecurity frameworks
- Knowledge of aviation industry technology standards (IATA RPs, ACI ACRIS, AIDX, NIST, ITIL)
- Certifications or involvement in AAAE, ACI or similar organizations ¿ Experience managing enterprise systems, capital programs, and complex IT portfolios
Salary And Benefits
The salary range for this position is $177,000 - $230,000. A starting salary range at or near the top range is possible for the exceptional candidate. The City contributes 9% of salary into 457/401(a) plans with no matching required and offers $5,400 annual car allowance and $1,440 annual cell phone allowance.
A Comprehensive Executive Benefits Package Is Offered Which Includes
Traditional pension with employer and employee contributions; choice of medical HMO, PPO, HDHP/HSA plans; wellness incentive of up to $720 annually; dental; vision; life insurance; long-term disability; medical enrollment includes a monthly $150 City contribution to a Post-Employment Health Plan; bus/light rail pass; tuition reimbursement; paid time off includes 12.5 paid holidays, 12 vacation days, 15 sick days.
For more details, visit: https://www.phoenix.gov/hrsite/Benefit%20Category/010.pdf
APPLICATION PROCESS AND RECRUITMENT SCHEDULE
To access the full recruitment brochure, visit: https://adkexecutivesearch.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/PHX-Assistant-Chief-Information-Officer.pdf
The deadline to apply is Sunday, September 14, 2025. To be considered for this opportunity, apply to ADK Consulting & Executive Search visit: https://careers-adkexecutivesearch.icims.com/jobs/1888/2025-phx-assistant-chief-information-officer/job
For Additional Information, Please Contact
Dan Sprinkle, A.A.A.E.
email: dan@adkexecutive search.com
Jim Samuels
email: jim@adkexecutivesearch.com
Candidates will be screened by ADK. Individuals deemed to be the best suited for the role will be invited to participate in further assessments with the City of Phoenix.
