Description
ABOUT EVENTS DC
The Washington Convention and Sports Authority, which trades as “Events DC”, is the premier host of conventions, sports, entertainment, and cultural events in the nation’s capital. As the official convention and sports authority for Washington, DC, we create experiences that engage, excite and entertain visitors from around the world and benefit our local economy and community. The organization – which is an independent authority of the District of Columbia government – evolved out of the merger of the Washington Convention Center Authority and the DC Sports and Entertainment Commission and serves as the preeminent voice in establishing and positioning the city as a leading conventions, meetings, sports and entertainment destination.
Events DC owns and/or operates some of the most iconic venues in the nation’s capital, including the Walter E. Washington Convention Center (“Convention Center”), the Robert F. Kennedy (RFK) Memorial Stadium and surrounding campus (including the Festival Grounds, the Skate Park at RFK, and The Fields at RFK), the non-military functions of the DC Armory and the historic Carnegie Library at Mt. Vernon Square (home of a global flagship Apple Store and the DC History Center). The organization also built and now serves as landlord for Nationals Park, the first LEED-certified major professional sports stadium in the United States. Additionally, Events DC owns and/or operates venues on the St. Elizabeths Campus including the R.I.S.E. Demonstration Center, the Gateway DC events pavilion, and the Entertainment and Sports Arena, home of Monumental Sports & Entertainment’s WNBA Washington Mystics, NBA G League Capital City Go-Go and practice facility for the NBA Washington Wizards (collectively, the “Venues”).
Events DC also supplements its own event programming through a range of targeted investments in the region’s marquee sports, entertainment and cultural properties (e.g., National Cherry Blossom Festival, DC Jazz Festival, etc.). The organization is supported by a variety of cross-divisional functions including legal, finance, IT, procurement, and communications/marketing. More information about Events DC can be found at eventsdc.com.
Events DC has three core lines of business:
- Conventions and Meetings – which operates the Convention Center and Carnegie Library and is responsible for attracting and hosting conventions, meetings, trade shows and other events
- Sports and Entertainment – which operates the RFK Stadium campus, the DC Armory, the Entertainment and Sports Arena, Gateway DC and the R.I.S.E.
- Demonstration Center and is responsible for attracting and hosting a variety of sporting and entertainment events
- Creative Services – responsible for creating new events and programming, both as live and digital content, including through GATHER by Events DC, a virtual platform featuring a high-end production studio, a “virtual” venue and an on-demand repository for highlighting and showcasing content related to food, sports, music, entertainment & culture, and community.
In addition to its venue and event operations, Events DC manages and executes a program of Strategic Initiatives – a set of short- and medium-term programs which optimize our existing assets, or that develop new ones to further our mission for the District.
ABOUT THE CHIEF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY OFFICER
The Chief Information Technology Officer (CITO) will establish and lead Events DC’s technology vision, strategies, and plans for growth and promotes innovation in technology while leading the development and implementation of all IT initiatives for Events DC.
The CITO is responsible for general business planning regarding the technology and systems required to maintain Events DC’s business operations and competitive advantage. The CITO will supervise systems and quality assurance processes, while also ensuring that Events DC employees, stakeholders and service partners have the state-of-the-art resources required to efficiently and creatively execute the organization’s mission of creating economic and community benefits for the residents and businesses of the District of Columbia.
Toward these objectives, the CITO will effectively manage Events DC’s Technology Management Department, inclusive of system operations, information technology standards, system security, business continuity planning (to include disaster recovery), budget formulation and management. The CITO will also manage significant enterprise-wide initiatives, including new business systems (e.g., HRIS, eprocurement, finance, and booking systems) across venues. The Chief Information Technology Officer reports directly to the Chief Executive Officer.
POSITION RESPONSIBILITIES
Some of the responsibilities of the Chief Information Technology Officer for Events DC include:
- Maintaining optimal operations performance of the organization's multi-venue IT infrastructure, including evaluating cost effectiveness and making strategic recommendations regarding upgrades or enhancements to better enable Events DC employees to work and engage collaboratively from multiple offices across the District of Columbia
- Proactively managing an outsourced-services model of IT system components (e.g., telecom equipment and services, core network operation functions) in order to increase levels of service and efficiency for Events DC's customers and employees while also identifying new revenue-sharing opportunities via capital upgrades and product additions that keep the organization on the cutting edge of technology offered in the conventions and meetings, hospitality, sports and entertainment industries
- Evaluating, recommending, implementing and championing new or updated technology tools that enhance or offer increased productivity of Events DC staff in a cost-effective and security-focused manner, including on-premise, cloud-based and/or SaaS platforms, as warranted, while simultaneously maintaining existing systems and hardware across the enterprise
- Developing and implementing corporate-wide IT standards and usage policies for new and existing systems and products
- Managing, directing, mentoring, and coaching a team of IT professionals who develop and deploy solutions and technology support to Events DC
- Recruiting, developing, and retaining the diverse, highly-talented workforce required to meet the complex and evolving technology needs of the organization
- Leveraging the organization's existing investment in IT equipment and personnel to improve overall operations while supporting the organization’s strategic objectives and business plans
- Protecting the organization's IT assets and services via a high level of expertise and demonstrated experience with both hardware and software technologies that ensure the usability, integrity and security of the network, data and desktop computing environment
- Recommending and supporting technology requirements for Strategic Initiatives, a portfolio of projects that create new market opportunities, optimize assets/venues, and position the organization for future success. Examples include assessing the technological needs for new venues and new types of events that the organization will create, host, or sponsor as part of Strategic Initiatives planning
Requirements
QUALIFICATIONS
Qualified candidates will have a demonstrated ability to bring the benefits of information technology to solve business issues while managing costs and risks as well as a track record that strongly indicates their capacity to successfully deliver on the responsibilities outlined above.
Qualified candidates will also possess the following combination of education and experience:
- Bachelor’s degree in computer science or closely related field Ten (10) years of management experience in planning, evaluating and directing information processing organizations and in applications development
- Five (5) years of experience supervising the activities of computer professionals engaged in designing, developing, implementing and supporting systems
- Proven track record of optimizing organizational effectiveness through innovation
Preferably, the next CITO will also possess the following education, experience, and credentials:
- Master’s degree in information technology, or closely related field, or coursework towards an advanced degree
- Previous experience in the hospitality and/or sports and entertainment industry, or similar service provider-based business
- Certification in networking, project management, or other technical discipline
