Role Title / IT Manager
Department / Coretech Service Delivery
Location
ROLE PURPOSE
  • To be the senior face of IT for Agency and hold end to end accountability for all IT within the site / city / market
  • Own escalation management and have direct access to IBM and all other third party suppliers to ensure operational services meet business requirements
  • To work with the local business to agree and manage to the IT budget. To includes managing the IT asset lifecycle and driving down lT costs locally
  • To lead business discussions and communications and agree local demand and priorities
  • To support the local implementation of the global IT programs.
  • Advise the functional leaders for the Agency Operating Company(s) on how to innovate and utilise technology effectively within their functions
  • Run continual IT improvement programs and demonstrate improved service and increased IT engagement locally.

Key Responsibilities

  • To establish strong relationships with all the IT functions within the WPP IT operating model to ensure the needs of their location are fulfilled
  • Develop excellent relationships with key internal stakeholders (Operating Companies and Business Partners) plus 3rd party suppliers
  • Provide technology guidance to the functional leadership and agree the technology development agenda and budget with them
  • To understand and manage the local IT landscape i.e. key applications, assets, infrastructure, and services – know where there are problems / challenges and work with the IT Shared Service to priorities necessary developments
  • Manage all third parties to ensure delivery of services meet contracted arrangement
  • Serve as an escalation point on behalf of the Operating Companies in case of service quality issues
  • Conduct service reviews with operating companies to report on service performance and ensure risks and issues arising from IT service are well managed
  • Communicate new services / changes in existing services to Operating Companies
  • Manage the IT Budget by setting the asset road map, identify budget holders, and analysing budgets
  • Manage the local governance with the business leadership and participate in the regional and global governance when necessary
  • Manage demand & priorities for new local services and changes to operational services.
  • Provide local input into global business initiatives and escalate major requirements to the Agency Business Directors
  • Drive and manage demand for Non-Standard-Service-Requests (NSSRs)
  • Drive local delivery the IT transformation projects (End User Services, Network, Infrastructure)
  • Work with Operating Companies to fully leverage, exploit and drive adoption of technology and service capabilities used
  • Educate the business on how to use the IT service and maximise benefits
  • Educate the business about IT policies, procedures, security, and compliance
  • Lead a customer-centred culture, championing activities to empower end users to get maximum utilization of IT
  • To manage all locally based IT resources
  • To establish relationships with locally based earn out businesses and remote country based IT team
  • To navigate resources from AgencyIT & Coretech to respond to client contracts / audit requirements

Skill Requirements

  • A demonstrable track record of leading individuals and teams through complex change
  • Strong technical background
  • Experience, gravitas, and professionalism to engage and influence at the Executive level in a corporate headquarters
  • Strong customer facing skills, in particular the ability to gain respect and confidence of senior stakeholders within the Operating Company(s)
  • Good communication and influencing skills along with personal gravitas to create relationships at senior levels
  • Knowledge of top level IT architecture principles
  • Good knowledge of all aspects of Service Delivery
  • Excellent self-organisation
  • Direct experience of managing budgets
  • Strong project management skills
  • Completer / finisher mentality - has a strong track record of delivery, has attention to detail, is organised and demonstrates excellent time management skills
  • Good commercial insight with a comprehensive appreciation of how technology can enable positive business change
  • Understanding of the creative mindset and user experience, exposure to media businesses.

Behaviours

  • Leading with positive intent
  • Ability to build excellent business relationships, based on trust and mutual respect Communicate effectively
  • Being accountable and keep promises
  • Ability to influence at all levels
  • Strong team player
  • Detail oriented