Chief Technology Officer

Position description

Title: Chief Technology Officer

Group: Organisational Support

Location: National Office

Reports to: Chief Information Officer

Date: June 2011

Organisation profile

The NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) is a Crown entity that was established on 1 August 2008, under the amended Land Transport Management Act 2003, bringing together the functions of Land Transport NZ and Transit New Zealand to provide an integrated approach to transport planning, funding and delivery.

The purpose of the NZTA is ‘to build a better land transport system for New Zealanders’.

What we do -

-  Help New Zealanders to travel reliably and safely

-  Invest in moving people and freight to grow New Zealand’s economy

-  Meet our customers’ needs by being people-focused.

Our strategic priorities – the things we are focussing on:

-  Improve customer service and reduce compliance costs

-  Plan for and deliver roads of national significance

-  Improve the effectiveness of public transport

-  Improve the efficiency of freight movement

-  Improve the road safety system.

The NZTA employs approximately 1400 staff throughout New Zealand and is structured into six business groups. The NZTA encourages staff to work collaboratively across the organisation. It is committed to linking people together and drawing from the combined skills and knowledge held within the NZTA, in order to develop innovative solutions and work more effectively with stakeholders.

NZTA values

To achieve our purpose we must exhibit the following values:

Achievement We achieve excellent results

Service We provide outstanding service

Integrity We are honest, ethical and trustworthy

Respect We show consideration for others

Professionalism We produce high quality work

…resulting in a great place to work as a high performing, innovative organisation.

Business Group Background – Organisational Support

The Organisational Support Group, one of six business groups within the NZTA, comprises a cluster of five units responsible for the provision of professional, high quality, efficient and effective systems, processes, support and services to the NZTA Board, management and other business groups. The functional units in the group are:

·  Finance

·  Information Services

·  Legal Services

·  Corporate Support

·  Assurance and Risk

The group is also required to ensure the NZTA has corporate strategies, policies and frameworks to support strategy and organisational performance.

Purpose of position

The Chief Technology Officer (CTO) is the significant support role to the Chief Information Officer (CIO) that will:

·  Lead the delivery of high quality business centric IS strategies.

·  Lead change programmes focussed on governance, IS architecture, tools and solutions provision, capability and capacity and effective vendor governance and management mechanisms.

CTO will manage the service and operations function to ensure:

·  that the IT infrastructure, digital assets, IS Service & Operations team members and external partners, deliver fit for purpose and value for money services.

·  direction in all technology-related issues in support of information operations and core NZTA values.

Key accountabilities – general

Leadership

Provides intellectual leadership, clear direction and expectation of performance for the Services and Operations team so that together the NZTA outcomes are achieved

·  Works closely with other managers taking a ‘whole of organisation’ approach to strategy development and provides leadership in the business planning process in line with the NZTA processes

·  Models effective leadership to ensure the NZTA values, behaviours and objectives support an integrated, collaborative work environment that enables engaged staff to deliver high performance and quality service

·  Fosters an organisational culture based on high quality, innovation, responsiveness, excellent communication and continuous improvement

·  Ensures the NZTA meets its shared obligations and contributes to the collective interest in public administration by providing visionary and co-operative leadership.

Team Management

·  Is an effective member of the IS Management team and the Organisational Support Senior Leadership team.

·  Recruits, develops, supports and retains engaged high performing staff to ensure the NZTA maintains the right level of internal capability across the areas of expertise required in the team

·  Manages the development of the team’s work programme to ensure that resources are appropriately distributed to meet the business plan requirements

·  Manages staff so they are empowered to make decisions around their given delegations, working on an ‘exception basis’ for issues that need wider consideration

·  Ensures the performance management system is implemented for members of their team - actively managing both strong and poor performers

·  Ensures development objectives are in place for all staff to maintain and build the capability of their team(s). Demonstrates a strong commitment to implementation of these objectives and ensures monitoring systems are in place to measure progress

·  Ensures effective flows of information occur both vertically and horizontally within the team and across the business group

·  Builds a good team spirit and culture, acknowledging team contribution and achievement as appropriate.

Team Contribution

·  Participates in the annual business planning processes for their team

·  Demonstrates support for all the NZTA initiatives and organisational development activities, modelling expected behaviours to managers and other staff

·  Works in a manner that reflects a clear alignment with the values and expectations of the NZTA staff and works to understand and resolve issues that may be in conflict with these values and/or expectations

·  Actively supports an organisational culture based on high quality, innovation, responsiveness, excellent communication and continuous improvement.

Cost centre management

·  Develops and manages budgets and financial plans for the relevant cost centre(s), consistent with the NZTA financial and accounting policies, delegations and reporting systems and in compliance with governance, financial, human resource management, ethical and other requirements expected of a crown entity

Relationship management

·  Engages effectively with internal experts/staff across the NZTA so that the best information is available for decision-making, policy development, planning, resource and risk management, operations and service delivery to our Minister and the public

·  Actively manages internal client expectations and maintains timeliness of delivery including meeting service level agreements

Stakeholder management

·  Establishes and maintains professional relationships with providers of land transport services, local and central government transport sector agencies, other State agencies, the private sector, interest groups, the public and international transport agencies and peers as appropriate

·  Convenes and attends meetings with key internal and external stakeholders to address specific issues and generate solutions and has the ability to influence thinking and decisions that are consistent with the NZTA strategic direction

·  Provides meaningful and timely communication to the sector so that stakeholders understand their requirements in relation to the Government transport sector objectives.

Risk and issue management

·  Escalates any significant risks and issues to their manager in a timely way and looks for opportunities to promote the NZTA or Group

·  Oversees a comprehensive risk management approach to the way the business is managed on a day to day basis. Identifies threats to business and the NZTA so that risks can be managed, mitigated or minimised

·  Identifies and takes advantage of opportunities so that there is continuous improvement in business processes, and improved value is delivered to customers and stakeholders.

Customer service

·  Develops a customer service ethos that focuses on the provision of high quality, proactive and timely service, support and advice, which is aligned to the NZTA’s needs and strategies.

Health and safety

·  Takes responsibility for the health and safety of their staff and self

·  Ensures all hazards are identified and controlled

·  Provides staff with appropriate information, training and supervision

·  Actively encourages and supports local workplace safety management practices.

Self development

·  Takes responsibility for personal development and continually develops their own professional expertise.

Key accountabilities – specific

Strategy & Planning

·  As delegated by the CIO and as a member of the IS management team, participate in the governance processes of the organisation’s Information Services.

·  Lead change programmes focussed on governance, IS architecture, tools and solutions provision, capability and capacity and effective vendor governance and management mechanisms.

·  Lead Services and Operations planning to achieve business goals by prioritising initiatives and coordinating the evaluation, deployment, and management of current and future technologies.

·  Direct development and execution of an enterprise-wide disaster recovery and business continuity plan.

Acquisition & Deployment

·  Assess and communicate risks associated with technology-related investments and purchases.

·  Develop business case justifications and cost/benefit analyses for technology spending and initiatives.

·  Define requirements for new technology implementations and communicate them to key business stakeholders.

·  Review hardware and software acquisition and maintenance contracts and pursue master agreements to capitalise on economies of scale.

·  Define and communicate Information Services procedures, policies, and standards for the organisation for acquiring, implementing, and operating new network systems, equipment, software, and other technologies.

Services and Operations Management

·  Leadership of IS Service & Operations team members and external partners, to deliver consistent quality Information Services and Service Level Agreement outcomes.

·  Ownership and leadership of the IS RASCI Matrix assigned Service Management processes (including Financial Management, Service Catalogue Management, Service Asset and Configuration Management, Change Management, Release Management, Event Management, Incident Management, Request Fulfilment, Access Management, Service Performance Management, Service Measurement and Reporting, Problem Management, Continuous Service Improvement), ensuring that these are well tailored and executed to deliver fit for purpose and value for money services to our Customers.

·  Ownership and Leadership of all IT infrastructure and digital assets ensuring effective asset management and configuration management is in place and is being proactively maintained.

·  Ownership and leadership of disaster recovery and IT Service Continuity. This includes the embedding of systems, policies, processes and tools that ensure they operate effectively.

·  Ownership and leadership of Information Security including IT Security. This includes the embedding of systems, policies, processes and tools that ensure they operate effectively, collaborating with the IS Infrastructure and Security Architect, who will set the security strategy and overall design.

·  Conduct research to remain up-to-date and knowledgeable in regards to industry trends and emerging technologies in anticipation of new business processes and system alterations.

·  Analyse and improve upon technology standards across the organisation to maintain a technological and competitive edge within the market.

·  Develop, track, and control the Services and Operations annual operating and capital budgets for purchasing, staffing, and service operations.

·  Supervise recruitment, development, retention, and organisation of all technical staff in accordance with finance and personnel delegations.

·  Ensure equipment and software operation adheres to applicable laws and regulations.

Financial dimension

Refer to the NZTA Delegations

Key relationships

Internal

·  Services & Operations staff

·  IS Management team

·  Business Groups

·  Other NZTA staff

External

·  Suppliers including Unisys

·  Government agencies

Person specification

Education and training

·  A tertiary qualification or equivalent experience in the field of Information Systems

·  ITIL foundations (preferred)

·  A current and valid New Zeland Driver’s Licence (or equivalent) is required for this position.

Knowledge and experience

·  Over 15 years experience managing and/or directing technological operations.

·  Experience in strategic technology planning, execution, and policy development.

·  Excellent knowledge of technology environments, including telecommunications, networks, programming, media, and desktops.

·  Solid understanding of computer systems characteristics, features, and integration capabilities.

·  Extensive knowledge of data processing, hardware platforms, enterprise software applications, and outsourced systems.

·  Technical experience with systems networking, databases, Web development, and user support.

·  Exposure to business theory, business processes, management, budgeting, and business office operations.

·  Excellent understanding of project management principles.

·  Proven experience in planning, organisation, and development.

·  Superior understanding of the organisation’s goals and objectives.

·  Demonstrated ability to apply technology solutions to business problems.

·  In-depth knowledge of applicable laws and regulations as they relate to technology issues.

Personal attributes

·  Proven leadership ability.

·  Ability to set and manage priorities judiciously.

·  Excellent written and oral communication skills.

·  Excellent interpersonal skills.

·  Strong tactical skills.

·  Ability to articulate ideas to both technical and non-technical addressees.

·  Exceptionally self-motivated and directed.

·  Keen attention to detail.

·  Superior analytical, evaluative, and problem-solving abilities.

·  Exceptional service orientation.

·  Ability to motivate in a team-oriented, collaborative environment.

·  Actively demonstrates, promotes and models desired organisational behaviours and values

·  Displays strong interpersonal and verbal and written communication skills

·  Experience in building and fostering relationships

·  Displays a strong customer service ethos

·  Possesses a strong achievement/delivery focus – sets high standards including accuracy and attention to detail, meets deadlines etc

·  Promotes a high quality climate of innovation, collaboration, change and adaptation in own area

·  Actively looks for opportunities to improve services and support organisational change

·  Displays strong team skills, contributing to team success

·  Takes accountability for the responsibilities of the position and own actions.

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