DIR Creates New Agency CIO Role to Lead IT and AI Programs

The Texas Department of Information Resources (DIR) is hiring a chief information officer to lead the agency’s information technology and artificial intelligence programs, governance and enterprise initiatives under newly confirmed state CIO and Executive Director Tony Sauerhoff.

Blake Rohde, spokesperson for DIR, told Industry Insider — Texas the new role replaces Sauerhoff's previous position.

"That CIO position is the next evolution of Executive Director Sauerhoff’s former role of chief AI and innovation officer, and its focus remains on enterprise technology strategy, AI governance direction, enterprise architecture standards, technical objectives and more," Rohde wrote in an email.

The posting creates a distinct agency CIO role that reports to Sauerhoff, who continues to serve as both state CIO and executive director. According to the job description, the position will serve as DIR’s chief information officer and work under the supervision of the executive director and state CIO while overseeing the agency’s IT and AI divisions.

The CIO will serve as a member of DIR’s executive leadership team and provide strategic leadership and oversight for the agency’s technology and AI operations. The position is responsible for establishing DIR’s enterprise technology strategy, AI governance direction, enterprise architecture standards and technical objectives while overseeing both the IT department and the AI division.

Responsibilities include directing agencywide technology and AI governance activities, establishing priorities and performance measures, overseeing technology modernization efforts and ensuring the responsible development and deployment of AI solutions. The role also provides executive counsel on technology investments, IT risk, data strategy and AI-enabled transformation, while supporting legislative planning, statewide collaboration and interagency technology coordination.

The Austin-based position pays $17,417 to $17,917 per month and closes June 17. Frequent travel is required.

Applicants must have nine years of senior-level experience in IT, information security, IT risk management or AI, including seven years in senior architecture or technical leadership roles advising executive stakeholders and three years of supervisory experience. A high school diploma is required, though education may substitute for experience on a year-for-year basis. Preferred qualifications include experience architecting AI platforms, implementing responsible AI governance and working in government or highly regulated industries.

Editor's note: Part of this story was drafted by generative AI and edited by humans for accuracy, bias and clarity. Have feedback? Send it to Ben Miller.