VP Global IT Operations

Taskr are delighted to have been retained to support a key client with their hiring of a VP of global IT ops. This is a key hire due to a recent retirement & will support the global business with all aspects of IT operations.

The role sits within their European team & can be based out of The UK, France, Netherlands, Switzerland or Germany.

POSITION/TITLE: Vice President Global IT Operations

DEPARTMENT: Information Technology

POSITION SUMMARY: The Vice President (VP) of IT – Global Infrastructure and Applications is responsible for leading the strategic direction, development, and management of the company's global IT infrastructure, enterprise application and cybersecurity strategy. This role oversees IT operations, ensures robust and secure systems, and drives technological innovation to support business objectives. The VP will manage a global Infrastructure team and offshore application team, work closely with senior leadership, and foster collaboration across departments to deliver cutting-edge technology solutions.

REPORTS TO: Chief Operating Officer

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Strategic Leadership and Development:

• Develop and implement the strategic roadmap for global IT infrastructure and enterprise applications, ensuring alignment with business goals.
• Build and manage a high-performing IT team, promoting a culture of collaboration, innovation, and continuous learning.
• Lead initiatives to modernize and enhance technology platforms, including cloud migrations, network optimization, digital transformation, and enterprise application upgrades.
• Stay current with industry trends and emerging technologies to ensure the company maintains a competitive edge.
• Collaborate effectively with the digital marketing team to align IT strategies with marketing initiatives and support business growth initiatives.
• Mentor and develop leaders within the IT organization to strengthen the company’s talent pipeline and ensure long-term success.

Infrastructure Management:

• Oversee the design, deployment, and maintenance of the global IT infrastructure, including data centers, cloud services, and enterprise networks and security architectures.
• Ensure high availability, disaster recovery, and business continuity planning across all systems.
• Drive cost efficiency and performance optimization in infrastructure investments.

Enterprise Application Oversight:

• Lead the development and implementation of a strategic application framework that enhances operational efficiency and user experience.
• Oversee the lifecycle management of critical enterprise applications, including Sage and SAP B1 ERP, Salesforce and Zoho CRM, and other business systems.
• Ensure that applications are scalable, integrated, and aligned with business processes.
• Drive application security best practices, including data privacy, compliance, and user authentication protocols.

Operational Excellence:

• Implement and monitor IT performance metrics, ensuring alignment with service level agreements (SLAs) and key performance indicators (KPIs).
• Conduct comprehensive quarterly business reviews to assess and report on the IT department's achievements, challenges, and alignment with strategic goals and present to leadership.
• Oversee the development and enforcement of IT policies, procedures, and best practices, ensuring compliance with relevant regulations.
• Manage vendor relationships, contracts, and partnerships to optimize technology investments and services.
• Oversee the IT service desk and technical support teams, ensuring high levels of customer satisfaction, incident resolution, and IT service management best practices

Security and Risk Management:

• Establish and enforce cybersecurity protocols to protect company assets, sensitive data, and IT environments.
• Conduct regular security audits, penetration testing, and risk assessments to proactively identify vulnerabilities and implement remediation strategies
• Present cybersecurity updates and risk assessments to the board of Directors and Executive leadership, ensuring informed decision-making and risk management

EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE:

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Computer Information Systems, or related field (Master’s or MBA preferred).

SPECIFIC KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, LICENSES, CERTIFICATIONS, ETC.:

• 15 years of progressive experience in IT leadership roles, with at least 5 years in a Senior Director or VP or senior executive capacity overseeing global infrastructure and applications.
• Proven track record of leading large-scale IT transformations and complex technology deployments.
• Expertise in cloud platforms (e.g., AWS, Azure) and enterprise application management.
• Strong understanding of cybersecurity best practices and regulatory compliance.
• Exceptional leadership, communication, and team-building skills with the ability to inspire and lead a diverse, global team.
• Experience serving in a lead role with managing collaborative projects that span across multiple departments, locations and teams
• Expertise in data center management and data governance

REQUIRED TRAVEL

The position of Vice President of Global IT Operations will require global travel. A valid passport is required.

• The incumbent can expect an estimated 25% travel requirement during the business year.
• Travel may be required for executive meetings, vendor negotiations, IT audits, data center site visits, and team management.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:

The VP of Global IT Operations will oversee:

• Director/Head of Global Infrastructure
• Director/Head of Enterprise Applications
• Global IT Operations Managers
• Cybersecurity and Compliance Teams
• Global IT Support and Service Desk Teams