From MBB TMT Partner to State CTO?

Would love insight from folks on an offer I’m considering. I’m a TMT Partner who does a lot of digital transformation. An old client of mine recommended me for a job at the State basically taking over all of Technology. Exciting opportunity but with pros and cons below. Would love to hear from others who thought about exits, particularly those into public sector. I’ve pretty just grown up within the four walls of my MBB so this is new ground for me. TY!

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Will you be able to adjust to the slowdown/red tape of govt?

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This. I stopped working with the public sector as their tech is waaayyyy behind. Every time a new person is voted in, work stops and is often chucked. Folks are frustrated as tech changes are often multi year projects which requires more funding, but different agencies often aren't interested in shared platforms which means you are stuck with smaller scale changes than are really needed.

Pros
- Passion for the mission - I love my state
- Real responsibility ownership to drive change!
- Title is nice
- Work / life balance and no travel
- Stepping stone to bigger ownership roles back in private sector after 2 years?
- Easy re-entry back to MBB?

Cons
- Money! Comp is ~$200K. Probably a $500K decrease at a minimum.
- Forgoing a good trajectory at the firm

Other context
- Losing interest in the sales side of being a P - no desire to be an Senior Partner
- Family is growing so financial needs are too
- Have about $1M liquid assets

P1 is absolutely correct. CTO for a government entity, CTO for a financial institution, CTO for a tech company, and CTO for a non-financial non-tech company are literally 4 completely different roles with very little overlap.

Which state are you considering? Regardless, you’ve already talked yourself out of it with your list of pros and cons.

How at risk is the position to changes in administrations?

They’ve got several more years to go.

Things I would consider:
- HoldCo vs. BU ownership: what do you own vs. just advise on
- PS limitations: grant funding, civil service titles / pay band limitations, etc.
- Solving old problems vs. new ones

Salary aside, I don't know that someone that has focused on transformation work (as have I) would be remotely satisfied in government tech. See the comment I left on another comment.

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