Head of IT - Cape Town at Maskew Miller Learning

Key Duties and Responsibilities

IT strategy and planning

• Develop and execute the IT strategy in alignment with MML and Novus’ business goals and digital transformation agenda.
• Identify emerging technologies and trends, evaluate their potential impact on us, and recommend strategic IT investments.
• Collaborate with executive leadership and stakeholders to define IT priorities and roadmaps.

IT operations and infrastructure management

• Oversee the day-to-day IT operations, ensuring the stability, security, and efficiency of our IT infrastructure and systems.
• Manage the network infrastructure, servers, databases, and other critical IT components.
• Monitor system performance, identify and resolve issues, and implement proactive measures to minimize downtime.

Team leadership and development

• Lead and inspire a team of IT professionals, providing guidance, coaching, and mentoring to foster a high-performing and collaborative culture.
• Recruit, train, and develop IT staff to ensure the department has the necessary skills and expertise to support our technology needs.
• Establish performance goals and conduct regular performance evaluations for team members.

Vendor and contract management

• Evaluate and manage relationships with IT vendors, service providers, and contractors to ensure the timely delivery of high-quality services and solutions.
• Negotiate contracts, manage budgets, and monitor vendor performance to ensure alignment with agreed-upon service-level agreements and cost-effectiveness.

IT security and compliance

• Update and implement IT security policies, procedures, and controls to safeguard our technology infrastructure and data assets.
• Stay updated on the latest cybersecurity threats and industry best practices, implementing measures to mitigate risks.
• Ensure compliance with relevant regulations, data protection laws, and industry standards.

IT project management

• Oversee the planning, execution, and delivery of IT projects, ensuring they are completed on time, within budget, and meet quality standards.
• Collaborate with stakeholders to gather requirements, define project scope, and manage expectations.
• Monitor project progress, identify risks, and implement mitigation strategies to ensure successful project outcomes.

Educational Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, or a related field
• Experience Requirements
• Proven experience (5 or more years) in a senior IT leadership role, preferably in a large enterprise or technology-driven organisation.
• Strong knowledge of IT infrastructure, networking, security, and systems administration.
• Experience in driving digital transformation initiatives and implementing innovative technology solutions.
• Excellent leadership and team management skills, with the ability to inspire and motivate a diverse team.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively with stakeholders at all levels.
• Solid project management skills, with the ability to prioritize and manage multiple projects simultaneously.
• Demonstrated ability to manage budgets, negotiate contracts, and oversee vendor relationships.
• Knowledge of IT security best practices and compliance requirements.
• Experience of both on premise and cloud infrastructure and solutions.

Nice to haves

• Experience in the print and/or publishing sectors.
• Experience in implementing AI automations, working with LLMs and ensuring the responsible adoption of AI tools in the company.