The purpose of this role is to lead and manage all aspects of the Information Technology functions within MDEC. The Director of Digital & Innovation is to oversee the development and execution of technology initiatives that align with the MDEC’s goals and objectives, ensuring the effective and efficient use of technology resources. The Director of Innovation will play a crucial role in driving innovation, improving operational efficiency, and enhancing the overall performance of the organization
1. Develop and execute the organization's technology strategy in alignment with the company's goals and objectives.
2. Provide strategic guidance and leadership to the Innovation department, ensuring the delivery of high-quality IT services and support to all stakeholders.
3. Lead and manage a team of IT professionals, fostering a culture of innovation, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
4. Collaborate with executive management and other key stakeholders to identify technology needs and opportunities for business growth and improvement.
5. Evaluate and recommend technology solutions, ensuring they meet the organization's requirements, budgetary constraints, and security standards.
6. Oversee the implementation and maintenance of enterprise-wide systems, applications, and infrastructure, ensuring their stability, reliability, and scalability.
7. Develop and manage the IT budget, ensuring cost-effective allocation of resources and adherence to financial objectives.
8. Establish and enforce IT policies, procedures, and standards to ensure compliance with applicable laws, regulations, and industry best practices.
9. Manage relationships with external vendors, service providers, and technology partners, ensuring service level agreements are met and contracts are effectively negotiated.
10. Stay informed about emerging technologies, industry trends, and best practices, and assess their potential impact on the organization.
11. Collaborate with cybersecurity professionals to develop and implement robust security measures to protect the organization's information assets and systems.
12. Drive digital transformation initiatives and foster a culture of innovation and agility within the
organization.
Qualifications
1. A sound tertiary education in sciences.
2. Minimum 15 years of experience in senior IT leadership roles, with a track record of successfully managing complex technology environments.
3. Strong strategic thinking and leadership skills, with the ability to align technology initiatives with business goals.
4. Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to effectively engage and influence stakeholders at all levels of the organization.
5. Experience in leading and managing diverse IT teams, fostering a collaborative and high- performance work culture.
6. Proactive mindset, with the ability to anticipate technology trends and identify opportunities for innovation and improvement.
7. Strong project management skills, with the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously and deliver results within established timelines and budgets.
8. Solid understanding of cybersecurity principles and practices, and experience in implementing security controls and risk management strategies.
9. Familiarity with relevant industry standards, frameworks, and regulations (e.g., ITIL, COBIT,
GDPR, etc.).
Competency Required
1. Strategic Thinking: Must possess strong strategic thinking abilities to align technology initiatives with the organization's goals and objectives. This involves understanding the business landscape, anticipating future trends, and developing a clear vision for the organization's technology direction.
2. Leadership and Management: Must have exceptional leadership and management skills. This includes the ability to inspire and motivate teams, drive change, foster innovation, and build a high-performance culture within the Innovation department.
3. Business Acumen: A solid understanding of the organization's industry, business model, and operational processes to effectively leverage technology to drive business growth, improve operational efficiency, and deliver value to stakeholders.
4. Technology Expertise: Deep knowledge and expertise in information technology. This includes staying up-to-date with emerging technologies, understanding system architecture and infrastructure, and being familiar with software development methodologies and best practices
5. Communication and Stakeholder Management: Effective communication skills are essential to engage with stakeholders at all levels of the organization. Must be able to articulate complex technical concepts in a clear and concise manner, influence decision- making, and build strong relationships with management executives and external partners.
6. Financial Management: Responsible for managing Innovation budget and ensuring the cost-effective allocation of resources. Financial management skills to develop budgets, track expenses, evaluate investment opportunities, and demonstrate the value of IT investments to the organization.
7. Cybersecurity and Risk Management: Strong understanding of cybersecurity principles and practices. This includes assessing and managing risks, implementing robust security measures, and ensuring compliance with relevant regulations and standards.
8. Project & Program Management - Strong project management skills to identify scope, established timeless and budgets, manage resources, and ensure project delivery.
9. Collaboration & Relationship building, collaborate internally with internal teams, external vendors and other stakeholders. Building relationships, negotiating contracts, and managing vendor partnerships to leverage on technology solutions and services.