Chief Information Officer (CIO)

Department: Escalon Information Technology Team

Employment Type: Full Time

Location: Remote

Reporting To: CEO

Compensation: $225,000 - $300,000 / year

Description

Who We Are

For nearly two decades Escalon has helped more than 5,000 companies across a range of industries to optimize their back-office processes. Escalon delivers Essential Business Services to organizations through a tech-enabled platform so that owners and leaders can focus on the core of their business. With approximately $55M in revenue and backed by New Harbor Capital since late 2022, Escalon is positioned for continued growth through both organic expansion and strategic M&A.

Position Overview

The Chief Information Officer (CIO) will serve as the senior-most technology executive, reporting directly to the CEO. This role is responsible for the complete technology vision, strategy, and execution across Escalon, encompassing internal platform development, third-party system management, enterprise IT infrastructure, information security, and technology operations. The CIO will translate business objectives into technology capabilities that drive competitive advantage, operational efficiency, and client value while ensuring the security, reliability, and scalability of all technology systems.

This is a transformational leadership role that will unify Escalon's technology ecosystem under the "One Escalon Platform" vision, balancing strategic innovation with operational excellence across a $55M+ revenue base.

Key Responsibilities

About the Role

Strategic Technology Leadership

Define and execute the enterprise-wide technology strategy aligned with business growth objectives, including organic expansion and M&A integration
Serve as a member of the executive leadership team, contributing to corporate strategy and long-term business planning
Drive the "One Escalon Platform" vision, creating a unified technology experience that combines proprietary innovation with best-in-class third-party solutions
Establish technology governance frameworks that balance innovation velocity with risk management and compliance
Develop and manage the overall technology budget (internal development, third-party systems, and IT operations), ensuring optimal ROI and resource allocation
Lead technology due diligence and integration planning for mergers and acquisitions

Internal Platform Development & Engineering

Oversee all software engineering initiatives and internal platform development through the VP of Global Engineering
Direct the development of proprietary, differentiated capabilities including:
Advanced data analytics and business intelligence engines
Cross-system aggregation and unified data hub (single source of truth)
AI-driven predictive decision support and automation
Core Escalon.ai platform capabilities
Ensure engineering teams follow modern software development practices, maintain high code quality, and deliver scalable, secure solutions
Drive innovation in cloud-native architecture (AWS), serverless solutions, and modern development frameworks (Node.js, Python, PHP)
Foster a culture of engineering excellence, continuous learning, and technical innovation across global development teams

Enterprise Architecture & Third-Party System Management

Own the enterprise technology architecture that enables platform unification, scalability, and integration
Oversee the Enterprise Technology and Architecture Leader in delivering a cloud-first, COTS-first (Commercial Off-The-Shelf) ecosystem
Govern the selection, integration, and management of all third-party platforms and tools, including:
Month-end close, planning and budgeting systems
Compliance and automation utilities
Bill payment, e-signature, and workflow tools
Time tracking systems (strategic exception requiring special oversight)
Establish and enforce architectural standards, integration patterns (API-first, iPaaS), and vendor management practices
Drive rationalization of the technology portfolio to eliminate redundancy, reduce technical debt, and optimize licensing costs
Ensure seamless data flow across all systems through robust integration architecture and master data management

Information Technology Operations

Oversee all IT infrastructure, including cloud infrastructure (AWS), networks, systems, and end-user computing
Direct IT helpdesk operations, ensuring responsive and high-quality support for employees across US and India locations
Establish and monitor SLAs for all IT services, driving continuous improvement in service delivery
Lead IT asset management, procurement, and vendor relationships for hardware, software, and technology services
Ensure business continuity planning, disaster recovery capabilities, and system reliability across all technology platforms
Optimize IT operations for a distributed workforce (US-based remote and global delivery team in India)

Cybersecurity & Risk Management

Own the enterprise cybersecurity strategy, ensuring protection of company and client data across all systems
Establish and maintain security governance frameworks, policies, and procedures aligned with industry standards and regulatory requirements
Ensure compliance with data privacy regulations (GDPR, CCPA, etc.) and industry-specific security requirements
Oversee identity and access management, security monitoring, incident response, and vulnerability management
Conduct regular security assessments and audits, remediating identified risks
Build and maintain a security-aware culture through training and awareness programs
Manage cyber insurance and coordinate with legal/compliance on security-related matters

Voice of Customer & Platform Experience

Champion a customer-centric technology approach, operationalizing Voice of Customer (VoC) feedback through NPS, CSAT, usage analytics, and support escalations
Translate customer insights into technology improvements that enhance platform reliability, usability, and value
Ensure platform evolution reduces client burden and avoids disruptive replatforming
Drive unified user experience across all platform capabilities and integrated tools

Leadership & Team Development

Build, lead, and develop a high-performing technology organization including:
VP of Global Engineering and software development teams
Enterprise Technology and Architecture Leader
IT Operations and Helpdesk teams
Cybersecurity and compliance teams
Provide mentorship and career development for technology leaders
Foster collaboration across technology, product, delivery, sales, and support organizations
Establish clear accountability, KPIs, and performance metrics for all technology functions
Cultivate a culture of innovation, operational excellence, and continuous improvement

Performance Management & Reporting

Define and track KPIs for platform health, engineering velocity, integration performance, IT service delivery, security posture, and system uptime
Provide regular executive reporting on technology strategy progress, risks, and business impact
Ensure transparency in technology spend, project status, and resource utilization
Identify and mitigate technology-related business risks with clear mitigation plans

Skills, Knowledge and Expertise

Qualifications

Required Experience & Education

Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Systems, Engineering, or related field
15+ years of progressive technology leadership experience, including at least 5 years in C-level or senior executive roles
Proven track record leading technology organizations in companies of similar size ($50M-$250M revenue range)
Experience managing global teams, including offshore development and delivery
Demonstrated success in both platform/product development and enterprise IT operations
Strong background in B2B SaaS, technology-enabled services, or business process management

Technical Expertise

Deep understanding of enterprise architecture, cloud infrastructure (AWS strongly preferred), and modern software development
Hands-on experience with platform strategy, system integration, API architecture, and iPaaS solutions
Strong knowledge of cybersecurity frameworks, compliance requirements, and risk management
Experience with data architecture, analytics platforms, and AI/ML capabilities
Familiarity with IT service management best practices (ITIL or similar)
Understanding of software engineering methodologies, DevOps, and agile practices

Leadership Competencies

Strategic Vision: Ability to translate business strategy into technology capabilities and roadmaps
Executive Presence: Exceptional communication and presentation skills for board, executive, and cross-functional audiences
Change Leadership: Proven ability to drive organizational transformation and technology modernization
Financial Acumen: Experience managing multi-million dollar budgets with strong ROI orientation
Vendor Management: Skilled in negotiating and managing relationships with technology vendors and partners
Talent Development: Track record of building and developing high-performing technology teams
Business Partnership: Ability to collaborate effectively with non-technical executives and translate technical concepts

Personal Attributes

Ambitious and driven, yet humble and collaborative
Hands-on leader who isn't afraid to roll up sleeves when needed
Strong problem-solving and analytical capabilities
Comfortable with ambiguity and rapid change in a growth environment
Balance of strategic thinking and operational execution
Customer-obsessed with focus on delivering business value
High integrity with strong ethical standards

Preferred Qualifications

Master's degree (MBA or technical master's)
Experience in private equity-backed companies
Background in professional services or B2B technology platforms
Prior experience with M&A technology integration
Industry certifications (e.g., CISSP, CISM, AWS Certified Solutions Architect)

Benefits

What We Offer

Comprehensive Benefits (Available Day One)

· Medical, Dental, and Vision insurance

· Life and Disability insurance (STD/LTD)

· 401K Retirement Plan

· Paid holidays

· Flexible PTO

Professional Environment

· Strategic executive role with direct CEO reporting relationship

· Opportunity to shape technology strategy for a growth-stage company

· Collaborative culture that values free exchange of ideas and respect for differences

· Flexible work environment supporting work-life balance

· Professional development and growth opportunities

· Involvement in M&A strategy and execution

Compensation

The base salary range for this position is **$225,000 to $300,000**, determined based on experience, skill set, and geographic location. This role may also include equity participation and performance-based incentives. We believe in pay equity and consider internal equity as part of our compensation philosophy.

About Escalon Values

If you share Escalon's values of free exchange of ideas, respect for differences, and a keen focus on well-being, we want to hear from you. At Escalon, we're building something special—a place where talented people can make a real impact while growing their careers.

Key Responsibilities

Skills, Knowledge and Expertise

Benefits

About Escalon Services, LLC.