IT Director | Connected Group ME
Employment:
Full Time
This position is based in Riyadh, reports to the group CTO, and the preference is for candidates from Fintech, Edtech or Media.Key Responsibilities and Accountabilities: Business • Provides the vision and leadership for designing, developing, and implementing IT initiatives that create customer and/or business value. • Translates the company vision into IT systems and procedures, articulating this critical link to the company stakeholders including the Executive Team, IT staff and employees. • Ensure the organizational structure is appropriate for supporting the organisation’s current and future business needs. • Translate business needs into system solutions making maximum use of available tools while ensuring longer term supportability of the architecture. • Oversee the development, design, and implementation of new applications and changes to existing computer systems and software packages. • Lead and coordinate selection, installation, operation, support, and maintenance of our information technology infrastructure (operating systems, networks, telecommunications, hardware, and peripherals). • Responsible for the assessment, inventorying, and disposition of hardware and software. • Ensure the continual operation of the IT network including the wireless networks. • Ensure availability of necessary application systems to support business and operation needs. • Maintain security and privacy of the information systems, communication lines and communications equipment, and other IT-related equipment. • Protect the company and its operations against IT risks, including unauthorized access to information, data integrity problems, loss of processing capability, and poor service levels. Develop, review, and certify all backup and disaster recover procedures and plans. • Develop IT policies and procedures to ensure consistency in standards and leveraging of common systems. • Ensure written documentation is created and maintained to include user and system manuals, license agreements, and all documentation relating to modifications and upgrades. People and Relationships • Provide leadership, direction, and development to staff in the IT group, ensuring the team operates in a manner aligned to the organisation’s values. • Be viewed as a critical voice among the Operating Team, driving cross-functional collaboration through the IT team. • Collaborate with the CTO to oversee analysis and evaluation of staffing requirements to fulfil business requirements including evaluation of vendor partners and build vs. buy decisions as they relate to outsourcing vs. in-house provisioning. • Identify and develop strategic partnerships with key IT suppliers, vendors, and consultant organizations. Financial • Ensure the IT infrastructure is reliable, secure, cost efficient, and strategically sound, reflecting business needs and best practice in creating value for the company and the customers. • Establish and measure IT performance relative to cost, value creation and customer satisfaction in the key areas of operating systems, telecommunications, network management, and desktop support. • Forecast and track financial results of the IT group throughout the year to meet budget projections.
Experience and Qualifications: • Degree in information technology or related fields (computer science; technology management), or equivalent work experience. • 10+ years of total IT experience including computer operations management, multiple roles in systems implementation, supervision of technical personnel, architecture, security/compliance, business-wide strategic planning, and budgetary responsibility. • Experience in managing local networks in Windows environments, web server administration, and hosted environments. • Verifiable track record of effective leadership which includes strong strategic thinking and successful execution with technical and intellectual resources. • Ability to establish immediate credibility at all levels, inside and outside the organization. • Experience with the Agile software development methodology. • Understanding of and experience with Service Level Agreement (SLA) best-practices. • Knowledge of source control management and automated testing concepts. • Proficiency in modern digital platform ecosystems (cloud architecture, CMS, ERP, DAM, MAM) Interpersonal attributes:• A proven track record of delivering creative technology solutions. • Passion to deliver craftsman-quality work both individually and as part of a team • Exemplary communication skills with both technical and non-technical stakeholders • Passionate about digital transformation and opportunities for innovation. • Action-oriented with strong project management skills. • Ability to resolve complex and unfamiliar problems in a timely manner.
Established in 1997 in Hong Kong, ConnectedGroup is a regional executive recruitment and search consultancy with broad coverage across a full range of functional and industry specialisms, each serviced by dedicated teams. Our strategy is to continue to develop our offering as a ‘big boutique’ where we combine high levels of engagement and accountability with a comprehensive scope of delivery capability.
Our core services include; Retained Executive Search, Exclusive Contingent Search and Contingent Recruitment services for mid to senior permanent positions as well as Contract Staff and Interim Management services. We also engage with clients to deliver specialised and tailored projects such as volume recruitment and market mapping exercises.
Our mission is “to be remembered for exceeding expectations” which drives us to deliver outstanding levels of service and exceptional outcomes for clients and candidates, as well as meaningful careers for our team. We recruit and measure our employees against the values of being Candid, Creative and Connected which drives our open and transparent culture whilst encouraging new ideas and focuses us on internal communications that leverage greater benefits for our clients. At ConnectedGroup words such as ‘respect’, ‘integrity’ and ‘professionalism’ are not aspirational, they are prerequisite behaviours and are expected in all aspects of our work. More