Chief Information Officer

Position:                          Chief Information Officer

Reports to:                      CEO

Department:                   IT/Operational Excellence

Status:                              Exempt

Date:                                October 2022

Broad Functions:

The CIO is a senior executive position with primary responsibility for the development and deployment of programs and initiatives that drive the sustainability and continuous improvement of business operations within a company. The individual in this role is accountable for overseeing the planning, creation, implementation, security, and maintenance of all information systems and processes that support the business.

In this capacity, the CIO is responsible for providing leadership and strategic direction to ensure the effective management of the company's information systems, with a focus on identifying and recommending new technologies that will improve operational efficiency and effectiveness. They are also responsible for managing information programming, conducting feasibility studies, running systems analyses, and approving the use of hardware and software services.

The role requires a strong background in technology, with a thorough understanding of current and emerging trends in the IT field. The CIO must also possess strong leadership and management skills, as they will be responsible for directing a team of IT professionals in the planning, development, and implementation of initiatives designed to improve business operations. Additionally, they must have excellent communication skills, as they will be required to collaborate with other senior executives, as well as external vendors and service providers, to ensure the successful delivery of IT services and solutions.

Main Duties and Responsibilities:

1. Develop the overall operational business process and technical strategy and interface with executive leadership, as well as various operational and functional teams to develop and lead the strategy design, implementation, and planning process for the organization's operational processes, tools, and systems.
2. Drive ongoing improvement initiatives across the company and enable achievement of specific goals in operations, leveraging Six Sigma, Kaizen, and/or LEAN methodology processes within all Corporate Support Center departments and field operations.
3. Present, defend, and take ownership of recommended strategies and decisions within operations and the support center with focus on sustained, long-term improvement.
4. Increase visibility across the US and Areas Worldwide for US operations related issues, needs and risks.
5. Research competitive landscapes to understand trends and changes needed for use of technology and operational solutions to ensure guest experience is achieved.
6. Make decisions on operational strategies and tactics by leveraging data, external trends, and internal expertise, and own operational outcomes.
7. Direct the deployment of the operational excellence group and project teams.
8. Develop reporting that drives accountability, action and compliance throughout the organization.
9. Build rapport and effective performance-based relationships with senior executives; coach executives on matters related to operations processes and technology and appropriately direct attention to matters within their scope that require their attention.
10. Build consensus and gain influence without the need for formal authority for strategic initiatives and organizational culture change.
11. Serve as a key interface with senior leadership and technical support groups to leverage specialized expertise to enable effective processes and systems.
12. Proactively communicate and align with executive level clients to help drive improved operational performance.
13. Develop improvement plans for assigned areas by developing and maintaining relationships with leaders, stakeholders, and industry experts (e.g., Department Heads, General Managers, process owners).
14. Continuously measure and monitor processes, risks, and controls by conducting post-implementation reviews and project follow-up.
15. Oversees and manages Operational Excellence projects aimed at cost reduction through productivity, quality, and efficient enhancement. 16.  Develops and maintains relationships with external vendors, technology partners and other organizations to stay up to date on industry trends and best practices in information technology and operational excellence. Collaborates with these partners to identify new technologies and tools that can help improve business operations and achieve strategic goals.
16. Responsible for driving quality and process improvement initiatives throughout the support center and field operations.
17. Help deliver on project/process documentation as part of transition of support to operations.
18. Plan, lead and execute the implementation of the Lean Management, Kaizen, and/or Six Sigma.
19. Support in preparing updates and supporting documents.
20. Help and support the growth of the PMI Leads in each area.
21. Help in creating the culture of “One Group,” by fostering knowledge transfer and collaboration across teams in the different support center departments and field operation business units, sharing and celebrating successes.
22. Manage projects from inception to delivery, creating and managing against detailed project plans/budgets/schedules.
23. Provide timely and regular status reporting to management and project stakeholders.
24. Manage project resources and budgeted costs, forecasting needs and requirements as necessary.
25.   Develops and maintains relationships with external vendors, technology partners and other organizations to stay up to date on industry trends and best practices in information technology and operational excellence.
26. Collaborates with these partners to identify new technologies and tools that can help improve business operations and achieve strategic goals.
27. Participate in project meetings to help define project scope and objectives.
28. Facilitate project meetings across all levels of project stakeholders.
29. Provide technical leadership and guidance on software development tools, technology, and Agile development methodologies.
30. Develops and maintains relationships with external vendors, technology partners and other organizations to stay up to date on industry trends and best practices in information technology and operational excellence. Collaborates with these partners to identify new technologies and tools that can help improve business operations and achieve strategic goals.

Skills and Qualifications:

1. Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree preferred.
2. 10+ years of professional experience in business development, operations management, process improvement or equivalent. Experience must include direct interface with senior executives and broad network of stakeholders across complex or diverse business models. This individual must possess exceptional communication skills (both verbal and written) geared toward all levels of the organization.
3. Demonstrated project and change management experience, and experience in quality assurance, Lean methodologies, Kaizen and/or Six Sigma is highly desirable.
4. Knowledge of strategic planning, finance, budgeting procedures and cost-benefit analysis, as well as auditing processes.
5. Proven ability to meet or exceed established goals including the ability to meet established deadlines.
6. Outstanding organizational skills including the ability to prioritize and handle multiple tasks simultaneously.
7. Critical thinking and analysis of situations for the provision of efficient and effective interventions.
8. Operational experience in accounting, operations, supply chain, human resources, payroll, and HRIS a plus.
9. Proficiency with Microsoft Excel, Access, Word, Visio and PowerPoint required.
10. Experience in managing teams and resources.
11. Understands ERP capabilities to support effective decisions on supplemental applications and related interfaces.
12. Must demonstrate intellectual curiosity.
13. Must be solution-oriented with the flexibility to work in a dynamic environment.
14. Experience in the development and implementation of process and systems changes required.
15. Must have strong attention to detail (excellent quality of deliverables).
16. Must have the ability to tailor communication and messaging with varying levels of the organization.
17. 7-10 years of functional and technical project-related work is required.

Physical Demands:

The physical demands are representative of those that must be met by an associate to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to use hands and fingers, communicate verbally, and hear. The employee is frequently required to reach with hands and arms. The employee is also occasionally required to walk, stoop, kneel, crouch, crawl, and either lift or move up to 20 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to focus. 

EEOC Statement:

We are an equal opportunity employer committed to building a diverse team and fostering an inclusive environment where employees feel empowered to bring their authentic selves to work. We welcome applications from all qualified candidates regardless of race, color, religion, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability status, or veteran status.

Benefits:

We offer full-time eligible employees affordable medical insurance, dental and vision benefits, along with a variety of voluntary insurance options. Our benefits package includes company-sponsored life insurance, a free employee assistance program, competitive paid time off, company holidays, and a 401k retirement plan with company match. Plus, enjoy access to discount programs for travel and entertainment and a location meal program. In addition, this position is bonus eligible.