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Vp of It
Clarks
Newton, MA, United States
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Clarks is looking for somebody to join a core leadership role in the Americas, working as a member of the regional leadership team, with accountability for the Americas technology roadmaps and the effectiveness of core systems and processes. A key contributor to the regional strategy and responsible for gathering and shaping IT requirements which need to be met to deliver that strategy. Given a large proportion of the systems and tools supporting the Americas are shared with other regions, the VP of IT mericas will have extremely well developed influencing and negotiating skills required to ensure any global processes and tools are wholly fit for purpose to support the Americas business effectively.
Core Accountabilities:
1. Member of the Regional Leadership team and trusted partner to the Regional Directors and the Americas President.
2. Accountable for the systems related usability and performance of Americas business processes and the systems that underpin them, including programs of continuous improvement and business process optimisation work in region, commissioning support from the central platforms.
3. Matrix accountability for local helpdesk and IT operations team performance in the US.
4. Accountable for defining, shaping and collaboratively prioritising requirements and business cases for new / changed IT services in conjunction with the Regional Directors;
5. Accountable for the development of IT enabled roadmaps that are 100% interlocked with central platform teams, required to support the overall regional business strategy and roadmap. (typically covering 1 – 3 years)
6. Provide the Group IT function with insight into the future strategic direction of the region and future demand.
7. Create added value to the region through proactively identifying IT-enabled opportunities to drive growth, improve competitive edge, improve consumer service, reduce costs and ultimately improve profitability through developing relationships with external third parties in the region and globally to understand IT market developments, innovations and competitor IT strategies for inclusion in regional business plans and strategies
8. Identify business risk associated with IT solutions and services used by the region and ensure level of risk is quantified and that adequate mitigation plans are developed
9. Manage delivery of new / changed IT solutions into region. Collaborate effectively with Regional Business Development team to scope and plan successful project implementations and to ensure plans and processes are in place to realise target benefits from IT investments in the region
10. Lead, engage and develop a high performing team within Group IT -setting objectives, appraising performance, planning future succession and coaching of the team in line with performance management processes
Key Outputs/Results:
1. Viewed as a truster partner to the Regional Director, providing thought leadership for the region in area of specialism. Contributes to business success fo the region though joint leadership and team working
2. Business process and systems perform at optimal. Continous improvement in place which drive change and able business plans. Innovative application of information technology to business problems and opportunities
3. Helpdesk and IT operations provision meets demand for the region. Effective matrix relationship with Group Helpdesk and Group IT Operations teams
4. IT Strategy and planning is informed by business requirements. Visibility of regional IT requirements within Group IT / Group planning processes, approved IT investments.
5. Regional IT road maps contain realistic attainable goals and are aligned with Group IT Strategy and Regional business priorities.
6. Collaboration with Group IT stakeholders ensuring early sight of strategic direction and demand requirements
7. Drive growth in the region through IT solutions. Work with 3rd parties providers to optimise service and manage costs
8. Risk mitigation plans in place; risk mitigation projects included in Regional IT road map
9. Right conditions established for successful project delivery. Resources secured from the region, group functions and IT. Group IT solutions successfully delivered in region to cost, schedule and meeting strategic business requirements, Target investment benefits delivered successfully
10. Team is engaged & motivated, developing their capabilities and delivering to business requirements
Essential Knowledge:
• University degree or equivalent
• Good knowledge of global retail and wholesale business
• Deep knowledge of regionally based retail/ wholesale business operations (specific knowledge of the Clarks regional businesses would be an advantage)
• Expert in regional / consumer / customer facing business processes
• Broad knowledge of information technology solutions, technology trends and IT marketplace
• Deep functional knowledge of IT solutions and services used in regional / consumer / customer facing
• Deep knowledge of IT vendor strategies
• Knowledge of footwear industry and competitor / comparator business strategies
• Good English speaking skills (other languages beneficial but not essential)
Technical Skills:
• Strong customer and relationship management skills
• Strong IT strategic planning skills; experienced with IT strategy methodologies
• Excellent consulting skills (e.g. communication, facilitation, interviewing, negotiation, collaborative working)
• Strong innovation skills
• Strong supplier management skills
• Expert business case development skills
• Strong organizational adaptation/change management skills
• Expert in process design and modeling
• Strong project management skills (Prince2 or equivalent qualification)
Successful Experience:
• Extensive experience in a retail/wholesale business preferably within a fashion or consumer goods environment
• Substantial commercial experience gained through several line management roles in relevant functional areas or close working with commercial operation. Alternatively, could have been operating as an IT business relationship manager, or have experienced consulting background, or have been a senior service delivery manager or programme manager with an IT vendor
• Substantial experience in IT strategic planning and delivery management– previous experience in developing and delivering international IT strategies
• Involved in at least two major business transformation projects, leading business process change elements and ideally based on SAP software