Job: Director Technology & Infrastructure Services

Location: Shanghai

Report Line: Vice President, Global Technology, Greater China

Responsibility

Provide leadership and direction for all areas of responsibility the team ensuring that:

• New networks technology, design, systems, solutions and services are introduced which meet our business requirements and meet the needs of our customers.
• All changes to our technology infrastructure are planned, integrated, tested and are compliant with industry standards, regulations and legal requirements (e.g. PCI-DSS, Data Protection, Sarbanes Oxley, etc).
• The effective local design and planning of technology global technology standards, including networks, firewall and intrusion protection, communication services, application certification, active directory domain and policies and desktop & server architecture.
• Appropriate compliance testing and assessment activities are completed and that the region operates an appropriate security framework for IT systems and services.
• Our Business Continuity Plans cover all data centre, core network, offices, and hotels and are tested regularly for effectiveness.
• The process of developing and releasing security & functionality patches and updates into the region’s technology environment is performed and consistently improved.
• Close collaboration with Global Audit functions to ensure appropriate on-going IT controls and processes are in-place.

Manage a team, ensuring that:

• Succession planning, performance management and personal development plans are developed for the team.
• All team members are assigned appropriate tasks and project work and are motivated.
• Employee and Pulse Survey results are reviewed and team action plans are delivered to improve engagement.
• All team members receive training and support to perform their roles within the team.
• Roles, processes and best practice are constantly reviewed for effectiveness and efficiency.
• Service is consistently delivered in line with our agreed Operational Level Targets.

Work in collaboration with the Global Technology Enterprise Architecture and Lifecycle teams to be the be the leading expert in the region on central technology, solutions, policies, standards and strategy, ensuring that:

• Globalised solutions are consistently designed and delivered to meet the needs of the Greater China region whilst supporting the global vision.
• A rolling three year technology roadmap for the region in support of global plans and targets is developed.
• The strategic roadmap for our corporate infrastructure services (including Desktop, Collaboration and Communication) is defined, planned and budgeted.
• Global teams are provided regional insight, expertise and leadership in the development of enterprise technology systems.
• Awareness is increased in Global teams of the regional and cultural aspects of Greater China region.
• Business Partner to the regional Brands Management team to lead the technology agenda, defining and maintaining all hotel technology standards for Greater China hotels across all brands; Attending the Greater China Brand and Operational leadership meetings where necessary.
• Collaborate closely with the Area IT Directors/.Managers to develop their strategic technology roadmaps for our owned and managed business.
• Build and maintain excellent working relationships and partnerships with key regional technology vendors to help deliver solutions to our customers.
• Collaborate with the Global and Regional Procurement teams to ensure that all technology development, maintenance and support contracts are negotiated and signed with terms, pricing and schedules that meet our business requirements.
• Produce accurate and timely management reporting detailing team performance and project activities completed.
• Manage the P&L for the area of responsibility.

Requirements

Required Skills:

• Ability to see the big picture, think strategically and direct internal and external resources to meet business needs.
• In depth, expert knowledge of current and future trends in core infrastructure and security system technology - with a strong focus of its application in the hospitality sector.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills with ability to work through people to achieve results in a matrix environment.
• Strong analytical and creative problem solving skills.
• Ability to work under pressure delivering to demanding timescales
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Strong technical leadership skills.
• Experience of working globally as part of a distributed virtual team
• Cultural awareness.

Qualifications:

• Graduate level.
• Experience working in global companies, preferably within a large multi-national company, with roles focused on consumer and business technology design, and responsible for Greater China.
• Experience with managing outsourced technology partners, data center and cloud computing services a must.
• Exceptionally strong Project Management and supplier management experience.
• Microsoft and / or Cisco qualifications (or equivalent industry experience).
• ITIL v3, PMP and / or PRINCE v2 Foundation certificate as a minimum.
• ISACA certification will be preferred

Technical Skill Capabilities, knowledge and experience:

• E-mail, Collaboration & Communication technologies.
• Internet and Mobile based technologies (including SEO).
• Microsoft client and server technologies
• WAN & LAN design and technologies
• Cloud computing
• Thin client technologies.
• Virtualization technologies such as Virtual Server, VMware, etc.
• System and network monitoring tools
• Information Security principles and practices such as ISO27001, ISACA, COBIT and etc
• Centralized monitoring and reporting tools
• PCI-DSS compliance, SOX and data privacy compliance
• Access and Identity management tools (eg CA. Site minder)
• Data Loss preventation/Forensic investigation tools (eg Encase)

Non-Technical (including Managerial Capabilities):

• Experience of leading, motivating and developing a team of technology and business professionals.
• Setting and measuring KPOs that underpin the service delivered to customers.
• Strong customer and brand focus orientation.

Specific Experience:

• At least 10 plus years of progressive practical experience within an IT environment
• At least 3 years’ experience of leading a technology design & architecture function in a large enterprise.
• Demonstrated ability to operate effectively in a multi-cultural environment

Accountability

• Number of employees supervised: Direct: 3 Managers +1 Technical Specialist; Indirect : 2 Technical Specialists + 5 Technical contractors
• Annual budget/profit/sales or other financial accountability – $2M USD
• Hotel technology designs and standards for Greater China region.
• Supplier selection and certification within the confines of company standard procurement process.
• All day to day decisions that drive operational performance and service availability
• Responsible for the Customer Service Desk supporting all the corporate offices and hotels across Greater China
• Team performance & recruitment.
• Financial decisions in line with Company Delegation of Authority.
• Escalation – both internal and external.
• Prioritization of all planning and project activities.
• Stakeholder management and communications.
• Supplier management, escalations and communication.

Key Relationships

Key Internal Relationships:

• Cross functional in the Greater China region, particularly;
• Operational VPs
• Colleagues in Global Technology
• Hotel based GMs & IT managers

Key External Relationships:

• Key suppliers such as Micros Fidelio, Verizon Business, AT&T, Google, HP, Microsoft, New market, Cisco, Juniper, Trustwave, Arvato and etc.