IT Head - Travel Technology

IT Head - Travel Technology

Job Profile: Head - IT

Job Purpose :

- This critical role is responsible for defining and executing the Information Technology strategy in line with the vision, current and evolving business imperatives of company. The incumbent will be required to provide strategic thought leadership in building a robust and cohesive IT strategy and implementation roadmap and ensuring that the technology remains current in the backdrop of ongoing advances and innovation.

- The position will play a pivotal role in supporting the transformation growth of the company. Given the integral role of technology in the companys' business, in many areas the incumbent will play a lead role in defining the organizational transformation that shall heavily rely on contemporary and future technological advances in the Travel Industry.

- The incumbent works in partnership with multiple internal and external stakeholders to manage IT goals and priorities. The incumbent will lead and motivate the IT team and external partners / vendors to meet and exceed performance standards and deliver in a fast changing environment.

Key Accountabilities :

- Participate as a member of the Leadership Team in formulating IT strategy and implementation road-map that is aligned with company level strategic imperatives and priorities.

- Provide thought leadership in evaluating new travel technology and make recommendations on technological solutions across Company lines of business. Consistently assess technical efficiency and makes changes as necessary. E.g. POS (SMART) re-engineering project and implementation of white label/customized online self-booking tool/platform.

- Conduct a comprehensive review of existing tools and capabilities as part of drawing up the technology blue print to meet existing and future business requirements. E.g. decision analysis between an in-house data center and cloud hosted applications like Email, POS Tools, Intranet, HRIS, Financial Systems, etc.

- Lead the oversight of existing technology platforms and build out of new technology platforms and capabilities to meet emerging business needs e.g. SBT, Hotel booking platform, MI capabilities etc.

- Demonstrate and make available company products/ apps e.g. Online Booking Tool/ Self Booking Tool to the clients and implement the same. Act as a Travel Technology Consultant to the Corporate Clients in partnership with Client Management teams to ensure penetration and adoption of company Technology platform/tools.

- Set up and manage a highly efficient, cost effective, scalable Infrastructure for desk top/ applications and communication e.g. Telephony & Chat/Messenger for Employees, Client interface and Traveler Interface (e.g. Customer Contact Centre).

- Enable compilation of the country wide IT Capital Expenditure budget. Continuously monitor IT expenditure and proactively drive cost rationalization initiatives.

- Align, where relevant, and implement best practices from parent / group companies.

- Ensure smooth functioning of support & operational systems through outsourcing partners and associated service and technology providers.

- Partner with business to develop and enhance company's website. Work towards increasing site traffic through appropriate Search Engine Optimization (SEO) collaborations. - Define and own the IT Security Policy.

- Direct the development and implementation of IT policies and processes in instances of BCP/disaster recovery/security breach etc.

- Ensure licenses related compliances e.g. company-wide software licensing, Department of Telecommunication guidelines (e.g. for internal IP based Telephony), etc.

- Liaise with GDS to ensure reliable and efficient connectivity at owned and client locations. Ensure new products/ add-ons are made available as soon as they are available in the market. - Constantly review major 3rd party / supplier contracts and analyze them with real-time trends with an objective of renegotiations towards optimizing revenues / reducing costs.

- Work with Operations and Supplier team to shift business on preferred suppliers through the use of Technology.

- Collaborate within and across business units to prioritize, plan, and execute the development schedule for major product and platform releases.

- Lead and motivate a skilled and engaged IT workforce. Key Working Relationships.

- Close contact across all levels of the organisation although most contact at senior levels e.g. CMC, VP-Ops, CFO. Business / Functional Heads, Branch Managers, IT etc.

- External relationships mostly with (including but not limited to): o IT (Hardware/ Software) Vendors and Suppliers of Infotech or GDS and Hotel Suppliers or Desktop (Integrated Booking Tool for Travel Consultants) Technologies Vendors o OBT/ Self Booking Tool Project Team and Product/ Development Vendors o Technology Teams of Aggregators/ Suppliers/ Content Sites. The position is based at the Corporate Office in Gurgaon. However, travel maybe required throughout India to Offices/ Branches and client/ supplier locations (on need basis).

Key Skills :

- Strong management, leadership, team building and negotiation skills.

- A Technology Change Agent with a strategic mind-set.

- Ability to envision, assess, introduce / institutionalize technological advancements and integrations so as to establish technology as an industry differentiator for the company.

- Ability to find innovative and cost effective solutions to the business problems in a highly competitive marketplace.

- Experience in advising and interacting at an executive level, coupled with strong relationship management, communication and influencing skills.

- A strong planner with sound technical skills, logical & analytical ability, good judgment and strong operational focus.

- A well-organized and self-directed individual with strong result orientation.

- Practical experience in effective time management, including the ability to prioritize and multi-task.

- Ability to build partnerships and ensure the successful implementation of IT initiatives, particularly through 3rd party partners/vendors.

- Extensive hands-on experience in building and managing the development of complex, large scale enterprise IT projects with resilience and reliability.

Qualifications and Experience :

- Bachelors Degree (Engineering Preferred) in Computer Science/ IT/ Network Management. Or MCA/MBA (IT)/ Masters in Computer Science from a reputed institution

- Project Management Certification (PMP or equivalent) preferred.

- Minimum 15 years of relevant (IT) Experience, preferably in Travel / related domain.

- Proven track record in the Travel Industry is a must - minimum of 3 years' relevant experience in recent past with a mid-large sized Travel Management Company/OTA.

- Insightful knowledge of contemporary and emerging technologies with relevance to the Travel/related industry and demonstrated experience in driving transformation projects to on-board / integrate new technologies.

- At least 3-5 years' experience in developing IT Strategy, budgeting and driving cost rationalization plans. - Proven Project Management experience in analysis, design, and implementation of complex enterprise platforms / software applications.

- Experience in working with suppliers/ customers on integrating applications and driving user penetration.

- Good knowledge of Digital Commerce and Payment Gateways. Having handled PCI Certification (Level 3) would be a plus.

- Knowledge and experience of Call Centre Technologies including