Our client is a global luxury retail fashion brand. They are looking for an IT Director for APAC regions. The role is the leader accountable for IT Infrastructure and Operations (I&O). The position is responsible for the effective and efficient delivery of all third-party and internally managed infrastructure used to support business process and operations in the Asia region.

This individual will work closely with the corporate IT management team and business units to ensure alignment with the company’s objectives. They require both leadership and technical skills to effectively and efficiently manage IT Infrastructure technologies and personnel. This role drives technical Infrastructure, manages vendors and projects and sets an enabler-oriented approach to infrastructure operations.

Role & Responsibilities:

Technical

- Managing IT technologies and a group of technical IT Infrastructure personnel, developing and establishing IT infrastructure standards and procedures, and assigns work to the operations staff and the analysis, design, deployment, and operations of IT software and hardware systems supporting the business and the operations.

- Responsible for the design, the delivery and the corresponding operations of the Asia IT platforms along with integrating best practices, technical perspectives and innovative technologies.

Operation Management

- Oversee all aspects of IT infrastructure, Communication (LAN, WAN, email, VOIP, etc.), backup, security systems, disaster recovery (DR), regulatory compliance.

- Manage the day-to-day operations including ticket system, assignment of work and providing high level reporting.

- Prepare overall status and activity metrics that documents and tracks delivery of IT services, planned and unplanned system outages, and other key IT performance metrics.

- Maintains overall security of the company’s network, systems, and data.

- Ensures high availability of critical business systems.

- Owns and maintains strict controls on data/system backups and recoverability.

- Manage staff members in their daily activities as well as supporting business projects.

- Develop and manage relationships with vendors in support of staff augmentation and systems support.

- Manage overall capacity utilization of server/hardware environment ensuring it is optimized to meet business requirements.

Strategy & Planning

- Contribute to the development of IT departmental strategies to align with the overall business strategy as well as corporate strategy.

- Recommend and implement hardware for business applications, server hardware, network equipment, etc.

- Implement hardware and software standards for network, servers, databases, wireless technology, file & print services, VOIP, etc.

- Maintain overall backup and recovery strategy (Disaster Recovery & Business Continuity).

- Implement, and maintain processes and procedures for effective delivery of services and compliance with regulatory guidance.

- Establish and implement 'best-practice' standards as well as departmental policies and procedures.

Budgeting and Cost Control

- Constant monitor and review on annual and forecast budgets.

- Manage the cost control on project implementations and follow the budget compliance and regulations.

Organization

- Establish and maintain an effective production support capability for HQ and the region.

- Establish and maintain relationships with key stakeholders within the business key area and the organization.

- Work with integrations/development and business solutions management to ensure the product and technical roadmaps are defined and understood.

- Ensure a high level of effective communication between the core team members.

- Create individual development plans and arrange and coordinate training where needed.

- Local management role including performance evaluation, coaching and feedback.

- Must stay up-to-date with industry technology trends and applicability of software/hardware solutions.

Requirements:

- 10+ years of IT experience with over 7 years of progressive management.

- Degree or above in Information Technology or related disciplines

- Candidates has soild experience in FMCG or luxury retail industries highly preferable 

- Ideally certifications in Microsoft/Cisco/VMware technologies + ITIL or PMI.

- Possess a working knowledge of Windows Servers, Active Directory, MS SQL and core Network/Cisco technologies like LAN/WAN, subnets, firewalls, VLAN's, and VPN; Oracle DB environments including Netezza.

- Experience in managing environments in AWS and Azure preferred.

- Experience in cloud computing strategies (hybrid).

- Must have proven experience or demonstrated capability in leading IT infrastructure groups in complex and dynamic environments.

- Must have proven management skills with the ability to mentor staff members.

- Must have good people skills and the ability to interact and communicate effectively across all levels of the organization.

- Must be a champion for pushing IT standards, procedures, policies and best practices to the infrastructure team.

- Pro-active in understanding and staying up-to-date on the current projects in progress, projects in pipeline and operational issues.

- Ensure that the work load is managed and prioritized. Ensure resource allocation and requirement is fully understood, managed and maintained.

- Dynamic, strategic, well organized and attention to details

- Proficiency in English

- Availability to travel

Our client offers a competitive remuneration package to the right candidate. Interested parties, please send us your full resume (in MS Word format) with your availability, last/current and expected salary.

**All information collected will be used for recruitment purpose only and will be kept strictly confidential**