The Blind Institute of Technology (BIT) is conducting an executive search for the role of Vice-President of IT Operations for a technology company located in Raleigh, North Carolina. If you are interested in this position and your experience matches the qualifications described below, please e-mail your resume and cover letter to Kristy.Schenderlein@blindit.org.
I. JOB DESCRIPTION
Role: Vice-President of IT Operations
Department: Information Technology
Location: Durham, NC (Relocation package available)
Reports to: President
II. STATEMENT OF PURPOSE
The VP of IT (VPIT) is accountable for defining and delivering IT strategy and capabilities across the enterprise. This includes data analytics and business intelligence, development and support, infrastructure, security, accessibility and technical services. Reporting to the President, the VPIT will be responsible for giving oversight and direction to IT and business leaders on strategy, standards, and opportunities for shared services and economies of scale.
The VPIT is a key contributor to the company’s strategy and planning process and will be responsible both for IT operations and for technology and eCommerce. It is critical for the VPIT to build strong and productive relationships with all business unit leaders, acting as a true partner and making IT a business enabler. The VPIT is also the executive sponsor of accessibility across all of our client’s systems to support their mission.
III. RESPONSIBILITY FOR WORK OF OTHERS
The VPIT will manage 3-5 direct reports on the IT/eCommerce leadership team; total headcount in the IT organization is approximately 12.
IV. BUSINESS COMMUNICATION
Possesses exceptional interpersonal and communication skills, both oral and written; able to articulate ideas to both technical and non-technical audiences. Excellent negotiating skills with internal customers and external service providers.
V. SUPERVISION REQUIRED
Intermittent supervision with established goals and regular performance reviews.
VI. EDUCATION REQUIRED
A bachelor’s degree is required.
An advanced degree in a related field, such as computer science, engineering and/or business (MBA) is preferred.
VII. TRAINING AND SPECIALIZED KNOWLEDGE REQUIRED
As a member of the senior leadership team, make a key contribution to the formulation of the company’s business and digital strategies.
Proactively advise the senior leadership team on the emerging technologies and digital trends that are most relevant to the company’s goals and evolving needs.
Help determine capital investment parameters, priorities and risks for enterprise-wide IT initiatives to maximize the return on investment.
Knowledge of accessibility solutions
Knowledge of warehouse management and retail POS solutions
VIII. EXPERIENCE REQUIRED
Demonstrated experience driving digital transformation and business growth through innovation and the implementation of technology.
Possesses solid knowledge in emerging technologies, and the ability to apply these in the service of the company’s key business goals.
Experience leading complex, major change initiatives; demonstrated skills in change management.
Experience building an enterprise level data analytics capability.
An entrepreneurial mindset; able and interested to pursue new business opportunities.
Customer-service oriented.
Builder of strong technology vendor partnerships, and able to manage multiple vendor relationships to ensure the best performance and financial return.
Demonstrated experience with SaaS, cloud-based, and outsourced solutions through third party providers.
15 years of career experience in technology, including a minimum of 10 years in a leadership position.
Experience in a VPIT or equivalent position is preferred/required.
Experience managing large outsourcing partnerships.
Experience in a federated structure with matrixed leadership responsibilities.
Knowledge of a range of vendor technology solutions; able to select and integrate the most appropriate technologies to support the business
Demonstrated ability to design and implement comprehensive approaches to cyber security and risk management.
Experience designing and managing an effective IT governance framework across the spectrum of IT service delivery.
Outstanding organizational skills, and the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast paced, high pressure environment.
A strong background in operational and capital finances, and IT budget development
As a member of the senior leadership team, make a key contribution to the formulation of the company’s business and digital strategies.
Proactively advise the senior leadership team on the emerging technologies and digital trends that are most relevant to the company’s goals and evolving needs.
Significant experience in driving accessibility solutions
Experience implementing warehouse management solutions preferred
Experience with retail POS
Possesses exceptional business acumen, analytical and problem-solving abilities.
Comfortable with ambiguity; can handle the unexpected with flexibility.
A team player who favors collaborative approaches when working with internal and external partners.
Proven ability to build trust with others through a commitment to the highest ethical and professional standards.
A high energy executive; tenacious and passionate about reaching the goal, while keeping ego in check.
Strong ability to build and manage appropriate security architecture to protect assets and ensure business continuity
IX. TRAVEL REQUIRED
The VPIT will work from our client’s headquarters in Durham, NC and is expected to travel (approximately 20% of the time).
X. SPECIFIC DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Develop an IT vision, strategy, and a roadmap, and lead the IT team and its business partners in effective execution.
Ensure that current and planned technical architecture, investments and solutions are aligned with company business objectives.
Develop a road map to ensure all our client’s systems are fully accessible for our blind and low vision employees.
Prepare and monitor IT operational budgets that meet prevailing objectives and constraints.
Develop and execute an analytics program that will allow company business leaders to make data-based decisions.
Build strong relationships with business groups and their leaders across the enterprise, and develop a detailed understanding of their issues, challenges and opportunities.
Implement the most appropriate and effective IT organizational design to support and engage with the business.
Ensure transparency and collaboration between the IT organization and its business partners.
Foster a culture of innovation, transparency and accountability in IT.
Promote a “business-first” mentality at all levels of the IT organization.
Ensure that the organization has strong systems analysis and project management skills, and the ability to execute business-critical projects on time and on budget.
Direct the design, planning, implementation, and maintenance of the computing infrastructure that supports the company’s operations and business applications.
Establish metrics for managing IT effectiveness and for measuring the impact of IT on the business.
Establish appropriate service levels and the processes to ensure that KPIs are met.
Maintain oversight of all IT projects, ensuring that commitments are properly planned, staffed, monitored and reported.
Establish a comprehensive enterprise information security program to ensure the integrity, confidentiality and availability of relevant data, while maintaining compliance with Federal CMMC standards
Lead the design and implementation of an enterprise-wide disaster recovery and business continuity plan.
Establish and enforce IT policies, processes, portfolio management, development standards and methodologies.
Monitor the industry for developments in IT operations; evaluate and implement relevant new tools and service management frameworks.
Review, recommend, and oversee all vendors and managed service agreements for computing, telecommunications, IT services, and equipment.
Other duties and projects as assigned
XI. PHYSICAL DEMANDS
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is in a moderate office environment. The employee is regularly required to sit; stand; walk and use hands.
XII. WORK ENVIRONMENT
This job operates in a professional office environment. This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as laptop computers, smartphones, photocopiers, filing cabinets and scanners. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate. When in the Manufacturing area, hearing protection may be required depending on the department.
The physical demands and work environment described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential job functions.
XIII. About BIT
Blind Institute of Technology™ is an organization with boots on the ground in the Denver metro area working hard to advance the professional opportunities for people with disabilities. We’re a passionate team with a dynamic blend of backgrounds, disabilities, experiences, and motivations, doing whatever we can to get the job done.
Our message is that professionals with disabilities possess skills and abilities that corporations have overlooked or have yet to discover. Our strategy is to go directly to the C-suites of corporate America to provide a guiding hand into a successful diverse and inclusive culture.
Our end goal is always employment. We treasure the moments when someone gets or gives the good news, “You’re Hired!” We look forward to the day when all of corporate America is equipped to welcome people with disabilities into an environment where they can explore the same employment opportunities as their peers.