Director, Information Technology
- Full-time
- Job-Category: Information Technology
- Job Type: Permanent
- Job Schedule: Full-Time
Company Description
Fairmont The Palm is a luxury, world-class resort located on the iconic Palm Jumeirah Island in Dubai. The hotel features 391 guest rooms and suites with dedicated Fairmont Gold rooms and lounge. A total of 11 food and beverage outlets on property offer international dining options including Michelin Guide recommended 2022 and 2023 Little Miss India, Frevo - Brazilian Churrasco experience, Seagrill Bistro, Ba Restaurant and Lounge, Blowfish, Flow Kitchen, The Cigar Room, Vuvuzela and others. Fairmont The Palm also features an expansive pool and beach area with a health club, Serenity Spa Dubai - The Art Of Well Being and the Fairmont Falcons Kids’ Club.
Job Description
- Support the implementation of the IT strategy, structure, budgets, people, financial outcomes and scorecard metrics for the hotel’s IT Department.
- Initiate and manage IT projects for the hotel and consult the key stakeholders in strategic IT matters concerning the hotel.
- Provide business cases to justify investment and expenditure as part of the approval process.
- Support the IT Operations team to ensure smooth day-to-day operation.
- Manage day-to-day IT operations in the hotel, implement and enforce Accor IT brand standards, new technologies, systems, projects, policies, guidelines and audit requirements,
- Ensure new standards are implemented, projects are completed, and reports are submitted.
- Enforce IT standards and policies in the hotel, including user rights, backup policy, preventive maintenance, contingency planning etc.
- Ensure that technical system documentation is available, up to date and accessible.
- Identify IT related risks and issues and implement risk mitigation strategies together with hotel management.
- Manage follow-up reviews and escalated IT issues from different departments.
- Manage / plan hotels P&L, business plans, budget and future technology investments.
- Review monthly IT P&L with management & those responsible for cost optimization plans for the hotel.
- Negotiate vendor contracts to take advantage of economies of scale.
- Maintain good relationships with hotel GM, HODs, users, guests, vendors and other business stakeholders.
- Liaise and communicate directly with Regional IT team on a regular basis as required. This includes submitting monthly reports, complying with new standards, following up on new projects etc.
- Attend key meetings in the hotels such as HOD meetings, budget meetings or whenever requested by the GM.
- Attend Accor key regional meetings and workshops such as AH weekly call, Annual IT conference, IT Ingenuity quarterly meeting, Budget meetings etc.
- Manage relationships with vendors, ensuring that support provided to hotels is in line with Accor standards.
- Manage the local IT team (direct reports) to ensure effective and reliable day-to-day operations.
- Conduct yearly performance reviews for direct reports.
- Encourage team members to participate in Accor regional eLearning platform.
- Carry out IT recruitment, talent development and performance management of the IT team.
- Stay up-to-date with industry trends and on how IT can help to improve operational efficiencies, enhance revenue and optimize the cost of doing business.
- Enroll in Accor regional eLearning platform and upskill regularly.
- Ensure systems versions/patches are up to date.
- Respond to complex data security vulnerabilities in a timely manner.
- Contribute to the establishment of a comprehensive plan for data recovery as part of contingency plan.
- Monitor and assess the information security compliance practices of all Heartists in accordance with Accor's standard policies and procedure.
- Ensure implementation of data security policies, procedures, and processes.
- Identify, rectify, and report database performance issues to enhance its capabilities.
- Prepare and implement test plans and procedures (e.g. unit tests, end users’ acceptance tests, etc.) to assess the effectiveness of the databases.
- Conduct regular and ad hoc database related audits to ensure integrity.
- Demonstrate expert knowledge in IT infrastructure-related principles, initiatives, and trends.
- Resolve non-routine IT infrastructure related problems and make recommendations concerning improvements.
- Oversee and participate in IT infrastructure design and upgrade initiatives.
- Monitor system logs and activity on all servers and make adequate recommendations to mitigate any potential risks.
- Monitor recent technology developments and recommends implementation as deemed appropriate.
- Lead implementation of technology upgrades / enhancements.
- Champion productive technology solutions to meet business needs.
- Participate in the functional development and specifications of new IT solutions.
- Conduct basic software training.
- Ensure effectiveness of the training on the technology and applications in place.
- Ensure systems are utilized to their maximum capacity.
- Simulate damage scenarios in order to conduct further analysis on damaged equipment and find comprehensive solutions for recurring problems.
- Examine supported systems and makes recommendations for improvement.
- Ensure only original and properly licensed software is running on the hotel’s systems and computers.
- Ensure no End of Life products are installed and/or connected to the hotel network.
- Review reports on security breaches and ensures the implementation of recovery measures in a timely manner.
- Consult with hardware / software providers in order to ensure provision of specific maintenance services.
- Establish, update, and ensure the implementation of a disaster recovery plan if deemed required.
- Ensure the provision of prompt and quality technical support services to IT users across the hotel.
- Meet with IT Team on a regular basis to discuss recurring IT problems and to find permanent solutions.
Qualifications
- Degree in IT, Computer Science, or other relevant discipline.
- 7+ years working in an IT environment at a senior level.
- Experience of embedding change projects within an organization.
- Demonstrated experience of managing IT budgets and project management.
- Experience of managing IT infrastructure across dispersed locations.
- A passion for improving the delivery of services with a commitment to continuous improvement.
- Strong interpersonal and problem solving abilities
- Highly responsible & reliable with exceptional attention to detail
- Ability to focus attention on guest needs, remaining calm and courteous at all times