This recruitment will remain open until July 11, 2025. The agency reserves the right to make a hiring decision at any time after the initial screening date on July 3, 2025. It is in the applicant’s best interest to submit materials as soon as possible.

Make a Difference: Protect Consumers & Join Our Dynamic Team!

The Office of the Insurance Commissioner (OIC) seeks a qualified individual for the Chief Information Officer / Chief Information Security Officer (Exempt) position. This role is within the Operations Division and is based out of our Tumwater Office.

We are an employer of choice! Here’s why:

• Meaningful work: Ensure a healthy insurance market & protect Washington consumers.
• Impactful career: Make a daily difference in the lives of countless Washingtonians.
• Small agency, big opportunities: Gain a holistic understanding of our mission and build strong relationships with colleagues.
• Diversity, equity, and inclusion: OIC is committed to ensuring that all employees enjoy a respectful, safe, and supportive working environment - by fostering the inclusion of people from all backgrounds, cultures, and attributes.

About the Position

Are you a bold, visionary leader ready to shape the future of government technology? We're looking for an exceptional Chief Information Officer / Chief Information Security Officer (CIO/CISO) to join our executive team and take the helm of all things IT and cybersecurity.

As the agency’s top technology strategist, the CIO/CISO will be at the forefront of driving innovation, transforming enterprise systems, and ensuring our technology infrastructure is secure, efficient, and mission aligned. This is not just a leadership role — it’s a chance to leave a legacy.

In this high-impact position, you’ll:

• Set and execute the agency's IT and cybersecurity strategy at the enterprise level.
• Lead transformative initiatives that improve operations, boost resilience, and deliver value to the public.
• Collaborate with senior leadership to align IT priorities with organizational goals and strategic vision.
• Oversee critical projects and multimillion-dollar IT investments.
• Represent the agency to key government and industry stakeholders.
• Champion compliance, privacy, innovation, and business continuity across all systems and services.

This is a rare opportunity to drive cutting-edge technology and cybersecurity initiatives that directly impact the public good. If you're a seasoned leader with a passion for digital transformation and a proven track record in enterprise IT and security, we want to hear from you.

Step into a role where your leadership shapes the future. Apply now and be the difference.

This is a Civil-Service Exempt position. The annual salary range for this position is $144,000 – $160,000.

Benefits & Perks

• Comprehensive benefits package: Health, dental, vision, retirement, paid leave (vacation, sick, etc.) and much more!
• Supportive work environment: We value diversity, professional growth, and collaborative atmosphere.
• Wellness programs: Invest in your well-being with on-site resources and initiatives.
• Work-life balance: Flexible schedules with telework opportunities.
• Public service fulfillment: Contribute to a cause that matters and feel the satisfaction of serving the public good.
• Training & Development: Continuously learn and grow with tuition reimbursement, Public Service Loan Forgiveness, and other programs.
• Free parking (Tumwater) & Public transportation pass (Thurston County): Save on commuting costs.
• And more! Explore our website for additional benefits: https://www.insurance.wa.gov

The duties of the position include, but are not limited to:

• Direct and oversee the enhancement, management, and safeguarding of the agency's enterprise level, mission critical information technology systems.
• Participate in strategic planning, budget decision package development, and/or agency request legislation to identify IT impacts, offer considerations for IT solutions and provide guidance regarding IT resource capacity.
• Represents agency to stakeholders, government, and private sector and acts as primary liaison between information services, senior management, and non-agency stakeholders.
• Assess business plan objectives, and work with business areas to identify opportunities for IT solutions including recommendations on the scope and thoroughness of requirements, estimates of timelines, and allocation of resources.
• Performs task management functions: feasibility studies, project selection, project planning, prioritization of work, implementation of work plans, bill analysis and fiscal note development.
• Consults with deputies and managers to determine IT impacts of proposed legislation and/or newly enacted federal or state laws.
• Estimate agency resource allocation in support of project efforts including but not limited to budget, IT software development resources, IT support, technology infrastructure, security, privacy, and networking resources.
• Develops and implements business continuity protocols to minimize disruption to business operations in the event of emergency situations or data loss.
• Identifies, plans, and conducts security audits and system investigations. Reports findings and recommends appropriate mitigation measures to executive leadership.
• Serves as the agency interface to Washington State Office Chief Information Officer (OCIO) and Washington State's Washington Technology Solutions (WaTech). Responsible for creating, submitting, and accuracy of annual reports required by OCIO.
• Serves as the agency lead privacy officer and information security officer.
• Provide the necessary IT investment planning required by OCIO, WaTech, and Washington State's Office of Financial Management (OFM) oversight agencies.
• Plans and supervises IT acquisitions that impact the agency's enterprise systems and/or technology infrastructure.
• Align the agency's IT planning practices and resource allocation with the agency's strategic plan and National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) national initiatives.
• Directs procurement for vendor services and negotiate contracts for projects that exceed the capacity of in­house IT resources.
• Increase the agency's participation with national (and international) initiatives by expanding the agency's interface capability with the NAIC and the National Insurance Producer Registry (NIPR).
• Leads a team of 21 FTEs with 2 direct reports.

To read more about this position and view all duties, click here to request a position description.

Required Qualifications:

Bachelor's degree* or higher in computer science, information technology or related field AND at least six years senior level IT management experience managing large, high risk, IT projects; including leading and managing senior IT resources.

OR

Associate's degree in computer science or related field AND at least eight years senior level IT management experience managing large, high risk, IT projects; including leading and managing senior IT resources.

OR

At least 10 years’ senior level IT management experience managing large, high risk, IT projects; including leading and managing senior IT resources AND at least five (5) years demonstrated performance managing high performing IT or cross-functional teams.

AND

Expert knowledge of:

• Software development practices, processes, and procedures.
• State contracting and procurement laws, policies, requirements, and contracting/procurement best practices.
• Project management principles and practices.
• Enterprise level information management systems and technology related subjects, including networking, server environments, hardware/software upgrades, and disaster recovery planning and software release/configuration management.

AND

Demonstrated Experience:

• Budgeting, planning, and allocating resources to support organization's mission and business priorities.
• Leading IT infrastructure/architecture planning and applying enterprise level IT best practices.
• Managing diverse project teams composed of IT, business users, and vendors.
• Applying current IT security and system standards.
• Communicating complex issues effectively and adjusting communication to audience needs.
• Addressing conflict and leading teams to resolution.

*Degree must be from an accredited institution whose accreditation is recognized by the U.S. Department of Education or the Council of Higher Education Accreditation or a foreign equivalent.

Ready to join us?

Learn more about the OIC by visiting our website. We encourage you to check out our video below and listen to what our employees have to say about working here!

Welcome to the OIC

Submit your application today and take the first step towards a rewarding career at the OIC!

• Wage/salary depends on qualifications or state rules of compensation (if currently a state employee).

• State law (RCW 48.02.090[5]) prohibits employees of the OIC from having any interest, directly or indirectly, in an insurance company other than as a policyholder. This prohibition includes the receipt of renewal commissions. If employment is accepted with this agency, you agree to abide by this state law.
• Prior to a new hire, a background check including criminal record history will be conducted. Information from the background check will not necessarily preclude employment but will be considered in determining the applicant’s suitability and competence to perform in the position.
• The Office of Insurance Commissioner is an equal opportunity employer, does not discriminate on the basis of age, sex, marital status, sexual orientation, race, creed, color, national origin, honorably discharged veteran or military status, or the presence of any sensory, mental, or physical disability or the use of a trained service animal by a person with a disability. Persons requiring reasonable accommodation in the application process or requiring information in an alternative format may contact the recruitment team at Recruitment@oic.wa.gov. Those with a hearing impairment in need of accommodation are encouraged to contact the Washington Relay Service at 1-800-676-3777 or www.washingtonrelay.com.
• If you are having technical difficulties creating, accessing (log in, password or email issues) or completing your application (error messages), please call toll-free at (855) 524-5627.
• Contact us: For inquiries about this position, please contact us at recruitment@oic.wa.gov.