Role Overview for Chief Digital Officer with an Industrial Equipment Co. – Milwaukee, WI
JRG Partners is proud to partner with a distinguished leader in the industrial equipment sector, a company renowned for its engineering excellence and commitment to innovation. Located in the industrial heartland of Milwaukee, WI, our client is seeking a transformative and visionary Chief Digital Officer (CDO) to spearhead their next chapter of growth. This is a pivotal executive leadership position, reporting directly to the Chief Executive Officer, designed for a dynamic leader who can architect and execute a comprehensive digital strategy that will redefine the company’s operations, customer engagement, and market position.
The industrial landscape is undergoing a profound shift, driven by the convergence of physical machinery and digital technology. The ideal candidate will be at the forefront of this evolution, possessing a deep understanding of how to leverage technologies like the Internet of Things (IoT), Artificial Intelligence (AI), Big Data, and cloud computing to create smarter products, more efficient supply chains, and new revenue streams. You will be responsible for building a digital-first culture across a traditional organization, championing change and inspiring teams to embrace new ways of working.
This role is not just about technology implementation; it is about strategic business transformation. You will be the catalyst for integrating digital capabilities into every facet of the business, from product development and manufacturing to sales, marketing, and after-sales service. Success in this role will be measured by your ability to drive tangible business outcomes, including increased operational efficiency, enhanced customer loyalty, and sustainable competitive advantage in a rapidly evolving global market. You will be a key member of the executive team, contributing to the overall strategic direction of the company and ensuring its long-term success in the age of Industry 4.0 digital transformation.
Key Responsibilities of Chief Digital Officer with an Industrial Equipment Co. – Milwaukee, WI
Digital Strategy & Visionary Leadership
Develop and champion a clear, compelling, and comprehensive enterprise-wide digital transformation strategy that aligns with and accelerates the company’s long-term business objectives. Collaborate with the CEO and executive leadership team to integrate the digital vision into the core corporate strategy.
Innovation and Technology Roadmapping
Identify, evaluate, and prioritize emerging digital technologies (IoT, AI/ML, predictive analytics, automation, cloud infrastructure) that can create significant value for the company and its customers. Oversee the development and execution of a technology roadmap that supports new product development, service offerings, and operational improvements.
Data Governance & Analytics Excellence
Establish a robust data governance framework to ensure data quality, security, and accessibility. Build and lead a center of excellence for data analytics and business intelligence, transforming raw data into actionable insights that inform strategic decision-making across all departments.
Digital Customer Experience (CX)
Reimagine and digitize the end-to-end customer journey. Lead initiatives to create seamless, personalized, and data-driven experiences for customers, from digital marketing and e-commerce platforms to connected equipment monitoring and predictive maintenance services.
Operational Transformation
Partner with Operations, Engineering, and Supply Chain leaders to implement digital solutions that optimize manufacturing processes (Smart Factory/Industry 4.0), improve supply chain visibility, and enhance overall operational efficiency and productivity.
P&L Management and ROI
Develop and manage the digital transformation budget, ensuring all initiatives are resourced appropriately. Define key performance indicators (KPIs) and build business cases to track the financial impact and ROI of digital investments.
Team Building & Cultural Change Management
Build, mentor, and lead a high-performing team of digital, data, and technology professionals. Act as the primary agent of change, fostering a culture of innovation, collaboration, and digital fluency throughout the organization. Develop training and communication plans to drive user adoption and engagement.
Cybersecurity and Risk Management
In partnership with the CIO/CISO, ensure that the company’s digital assets and customer data are protected by a state-of-the-art cybersecurity strategy. Proactively identify and mitigate digital risks associated with new technologies and business models.
Ecosystem & Partnership Development
Identify and cultivate strategic partnerships with technology vendors, startups, and academic institutions to accelerate innovation and gain access to new capabilities and markets.
Requirements for the Chief Digital Officer with an Industrial Equipment Co. – Milwaukee, WI
Executive Experience
A minimum of 15 years of progressive leadership experience in technology and digital strategy, with at least 5 years in a senior executive role (e.g., CDO, CIO, CTO, VP of Digital) with significant strategic and budgetary responsibility.
Industry Expertise
Demonstrable experience within the industrial, manufacturing, automotive, or a related B2B sector is highly required. A deep understanding of the challenges and opportunities of digitizing physical products and complex operational environments is essential.
Educational Background
Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Engineering, Information Technology, Business, or a related field. A Master’s degree or MBA is strongly preferred.
Transformational Leadership
A proven track record of successfully leading large-scale digital transformation and change management initiatives within a complex, global organization. Must be an inspiring leader who can build consensus and drive change across functional silos.
Technical Acumen
Deep expertise across the modern digital technology stack, including cloud platforms (AWS, Azure, GCP), IoT architectures, data science and AI/ML applications, enterprise systems (ERP, CRM), and cybersecurity principles.
Business & Financial Acumen
Strong understanding of business operations, P&L management, and financial modeling. Ability to translate complex technical concepts into clear business value and build compelling investment cases.
Strategic Thinker
Exceptional strategic thinking and problem-solving skills. The ability to anticipate future market trends and craft a forward-looking digital vision that creates a sustainable competitive advantage.
Communication Skills
Outstanding executive-level communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills. The ability to influence and build relationships with a wide range of stakeholders, from the Board of Directors to factory floor employees.
Benefits & Perks Offered
Our client is committed to attracting and retaining top-tier executive talent. The comprehensive compensation package for the Chief Digital Officer includes:
- A highly competitive base salary and executive bonus program tied to company and individual performance.
- Meaningful long-term incentives, including equity or stock options.
- Comprehensive health, dental, vision, and life insurance plans for you and your family.
- A robust 401(k) retirement plan with a generous company match.
- Generous paid time off (PTO), including vacation, sick days, and company holidays.
- A dedicated budget for professional development, including executive coaching, conferences, and certifications.
- Full relocation assistance package for qualified candidates to the vibrant Milwaukee, WI area.
- The opportunity to make a lasting impact on a well-respected industry leader and shape the future of the company.
How to Apply
JRG Partners is exclusively managing the search for this critical Chief Digital Officer position. We invite qualified and interested candidates to submit their resumes and a cover letter detailing their experience in leading digital transformation within the industrial sector. Your application will be handled with the utmost confidentiality.
To apply, please forward your materials to our dedicated executive search team. To learn more about our expertise in placing transformative technology leaders, please visit our practice page. As a premier technology executive search firm, we understand the unique skill set required for this pivotal role and are excited to connect with visionary leaders ready to make a significant impact. We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our company and our clients’. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status.
