City Names Jennifer Clift as Information Technology Director
Published on September 21, 2026
The City of Wilmington has promoted Jennifer Clift to Information Technology Director. Clift, who has served as Interim IT Director for the past several months, brings nearly 18 years of service with the City and more than 30 years of experience in information technology and public-sector technology leadership.
As IT Director, Clift will oversee the City’s information technology operations and continue leading efforts to provide secure, reliable, and user-focused technology solutions across the organization. Her focus will include ensuring that the City’s technology services evolve to meet the needs of the organization and the community.
“I’ve had the pleasure to work with Jen over the past 14 months, and her genuine desire to find solutions and help others is the exact leadership needed for this vital role,” said City Manager Becky Hawke. “When combined with her deep knowledge of the City and strong technical expertise, she’s well prepared to build on the great work already underway in her department.”
Clift joined the City as a Senior Systems Analyst, supporting applications across multiple departments and helping modernize core systems. She was promoted to Assistant IT Director 10 years ago and has since played a key role in advancing the City’s technology services, with a focus on customer service, organizational transparency, and making technology more accessible and approachable for employees.
Before joining the City, Clift worked at Brown University, where she contributed to large-scale academic and administrative technology initiatives. She relocated from Rhode Island to Wilmington 20 years ago and has built a career focused on using technology to improve how organizations operate and serve their communities.
Clift holds the Certified Government Chief Information Officer credential, a Lean Six Sigma Green Belt, and a Prosci Change Management certification. She is also a Fellow of the UNC School of Government’s Leading for Results program.