IT Director

Position

The IT Director is a full-time senior leader responsible for defining and delivering BW Digital’s enterprise technology strategy, cybersecurity governance, internal software development, and IT operating model.

Location

Based in Auckland, New Zealand.

Overview

The role combines strategic direction, governance and hands-on executive oversight. It is accountable for the performance of internal IT teams and service providers, the lifecycle of enterprise platforms and end-user technology, cybersecurity and ISO27001-aligned controls, technology budgets, and the delivery of scalable systems that support business growth.

 Key Responsibilities

IT Strategy, Architecture & Business Alignment

• Develop and maintain a multi-year IT strategy and roadmap aligned with BW Digital’s business plan, geographic expansion and corporate priorities.
• Define the target enterprise architecture, technology standards and lifecycle plans for corporate platforms, infrastructure, cloud services, applications, networks and end-user technology.
• Advise the executive management team on technology opportunities, material risks, investment priorities and major decisions.
• Partner with business leaders to translate operational needs into practical, secure and scalable technology solutions.

IT Operations & Service Management

• Lead reliable day-to-day delivery of enterprise IT services across all BW Digital locations and users.
• Own the IT service management model, including incident, request, problem, change, asset, configuration and knowledge management processes.
• Define and monitor service levels, operational performance, user experience and continual improvement plans.
• Ensure effective onboarding, offboarding, identity administration, endpoint management, patching, support and technology asset lifecycle processes.
• Maintain fit-for-purpose business continuity, disaster recovery, backup and restoration arrangements for corporate IT services, and ensure they are tested regularly.
• Provide executive oversight and escalation during material technology incidents and coordinate clear stakeholder communications.

Cybersecurity, Risk & Compliance

• Provide executive leadership for the Information Security Management System and maintain alignment with ISO27001 requirements and the organisation’s risk framework.
• Develop, implement and maintain IT and cybersecurity policies, standards, procedures and technical baselines.
• Oversee identity and access management, security monitoring, vulnerability management, patch compliance, endpoint protection, data protection and third-party technology risk.
• Lead cyber incident preparedness and response, including exercises, evidence preservation, remediation tracking and executive reporting.
• Support internal and external audits, risk assessments, customer assurance activities and regulatory obligations across the jurisdictions in which BW Digital operates.
• Promote security awareness and practical accountability across the organisation.

Enterprise Platforms, Internal Development, Data & Automation

• Own the governance, reliability, integration and lifecycle of core corporate platforms, including collaboration, identity, finance, HR, ERP, ITSM and other business applications.
• Create an application portfolio and ownership model that reduces duplication, unmanaged technology and technical debt.
• Establish governance for data access, retention, classification, sharing and recovery in collaboration with business owners.
• Identify and deliver opportunities for automation, integration, analytics and responsible use of AI that improve productivity and control without creating unmanaged risk.
• Ensure projects include appropriate architecture, security, support, documentation and handover requirements before production use.

Leadership, Organisation & Capability

• Build, lead and develop capable, service-oriented IT operations and Internal IT Development teams, with clear accountabilities, objectives and succession plans.
• Determine the appropriate balance of internal capability, managed services and specialist vendors as the organisation grows.
• Ensure the Internal IT Development team has the appropriate product management, business analysis, software engineering, testing and support capabilities for the company’s needs.
• Set expectations for professional conduct, documentation, operational discipline, customer service and continuous learning.
• Work with Human Resources on workforce planning, recruitment, onboarding, development and retention for the IT function.

Financial, Commercial & Vendor Management

• Own IT operating and capital budgets, forecasts and cost controls, with transparent reporting on commitments, variances and value delivered.
• Lead technology sourcing, commercial evaluation, contract negotiation and supplier performance management in collaboration with Finance, Legal and Procurement.
• Maintain visibility of licences, subscriptions, renewals, warranties, support agreements and technology end-of-life risks.
• Ensure strategic suppliers and managed service providers have measurable service levels, appropriate security obligations and tested continuity arrangements.
• Prepare business cases for significant investments and track the promised benefits through delivery and operation.

Projects, Growth & Integration

• Provide IT leadership for new offices, acquisitions, data centre developments and other growth initiatives requiring enterprise technology services.
• Establish proportionate project governance, architecture and security checkpoints for IT initiatives.
• Ensure new solutions are operationally supportable, documented, monitored and transferred to accountable service owners.
• Provide governance and delivery oversight for internal software development projects, including scope, priorities, dependencies, risks, quality and transition into production support.
• Produce concise executive and Board reporting on roadmap delivery, operational health, cybersecurity posture, financial performance and key risks.

Qualifications & Experiences

Mandatory Requirements

• Substantial senior leadership experience across enterprise IT operations, infrastructure, cloud services, cybersecurity and business applications in a multi-site organisation.
• Demonstrated experience developing IT strategy, operating models, architecture roadmaps and investment business cases.
• Strong knowledge of modern identity, endpoint, collaboration, cloud, networking, backup, monitoring and service management environments.
• Proven accountability for cybersecurity governance, risk management, incident response and audit or certification programmes, preferably including ISO27001.
• Experience managing IT budgets, procurement, commercial negotiations, licences, vendors and outsourced service providers.
• Track record of leading teams and delivering complex technology change across multiple countries or time zones.
• Strong executive communication skills, sound judgement and the ability to explain technology risks and choices in business terms.
• Relevant tertiary qualification or equivalent senior professional experience.

Desirable Requirements

• Experience in digital infrastructure, data centres, telecommunications, carrier networks or another critical-infrastructure environment.
• Relevant certifications in information security, cloud, enterprise architecture, IT service management, project delivery or technology governance.
• Experience supporting rapid organisational growth, new-site establishment, mergers, acquisitions or integration programmes.
• Knowledge of privacy, critical-infrastructure and cybersecurity obligations across Asia-Pacific and the United States.
• Practical experience with Microsoft 365, Azure, Entra ID, Intune, ITSM platforms, automation and data governance.