Head of IT Strategy & Business Systems

We are seeking a strategic and experienced Head of IT Strategy & Business Systems to centralize, secure, and modernize our technology landscape across multiple national geographies. This pivotal role will serve as the organizational expert in technology strategy, data security, system interoperability, and digital transformation, ensuring our IT infrastructure is a cohesive, efficient, and secure backbone for our business operations. Key Responsibilities 1. IT Strategy & Digital Transformation • Develop and execute a comprehensive, multi-year IT strategy that aligns with the organization's overall business objectives and growth plans. • Lead the organization's digital transformation efforts, recommending and implementing enhancements, improvements, and full digitization of business processes. • Identify opportunities for leveraging technology (e.g., cloud services, automation) to improve efficiency, productivity, and organizational visibility. 2. System Centralization & Interoperability • Conduct a comprehensive audit of all existing software systems (e.g., Tally, Microsoft 365, etc.) currently managed independently across geographies. • Design and implement a centralized framework for IT governance, management, and reporting. • Crucially, figure out and ensure interoperability and seamless data exchange between disparate systems to create a unified data landscape. 3. Data Security & Governance • Establish and enforce robust data security protocols, policies, and best practices across all software and platforms used by the organization. • Proactively identify security risks and vulnerabilities, and implement necessary safeguards to protect sensitive organizational and financial data. • Ensure organizational compliance with relevant data privacy and security regulations in all operational geographies. 4. Vendor & Project Management • Work closely with software vendors and IT partners to identify, evaluate, and implement the right technology solutions and services. • Manage vendor relationships, negotiate contracts, and oversee service level agreements (SLAs) to ensure high-quality service delivery. • Lead IT projects from initiation to completion, managing timelines, budgets, and stakeholder expectations. 5. Business Process Enhancement • Deeply understand core business processes (Finance, Operations, etc.) and current bottlenecks. • Recommend and drive the implementation of process enhancements and workflow improvements that leverage technology for greater operational efficiency. Qualifications & Experience • Education: Bachelor's or Master's degree in Information Technology, Computer Science, Business Administration, or a related field. • Experience: Minimum of 8-10 years of progressive experience in IT management, IT consulting, or business systems architecture, preferably in a multi-geography setting. • System Knowledge: Proven experience with common business software, including ERP/Accounting systems (like Tally) and productivity suites (like Microsoft 365). • Strategic Thinking: Demonstrated ability to translate complex business needs into clear, executable IT strategies. • Security Focus: Strong knowledge of current data security standards, governance frameworks, and risk mitigation strategies. • Communication: Excellent communication, presentation, and negotiation skills, particularly in communicating complex technical issues to non technical stakeholders and managing vendors. Desired Outcomes for the First 12 Months • Develop and get executive buy-in for a centralized 3-year IT roadmap. • Establish and enforce organization-wide data security policies. • Successfully connect or replace at least two key independent software systems to achieve critical data visibility/ interoperability. • Complete an initial assessment of core business processes and propose 3-5 high-impact digitization projects