ITOM Japan

Why we're hiring:

The role of the IT Strategy & Operations Manager is to deliver and maintain industry-leading IT service and technology, that aligns to the WPP global Enterprise Technology strategy and ensures the WPP business can deliver on their strategic objectives with a seamless technology experience.  You will be the primary representative for Enterprise Technology within the Japan leadership team.

The role of IT Strategy & Operations Manager within Enterprise Technology is challenging and rewarding. You will contribute to the sustainable growth of WPP Japan, and the enhancement of corporate value and improve society through the innovation of the company, its employees, and yourself. It is a job that provides a sense of accomplishment and contribution to society.

What you'll be doing:

• Liaise closely with the WPP business leadership and executive teams to provide technology guidance and build a secure and robust technology strategy that aligns to business strategy and outcomes
• To establish strong relationships with all the IT functions within the Enterprise Technology operating model to ensure the needs of WPP businesses are met
• Develop excellent relationships with key internal stakeholders plus external partners and vendors
• Own escalation management with internal IT teams and all other third-party suppliers to ensure operational services meet business requirements
• To understand and oversee the local technology landscape i.e. key applications, assets, infrastructure, security and services – know where there are problems / challenges and work with the wider Enterprise Technology teams to prioritise necessary developments
• Manage all third parties and partners to ensure delivery of services meet the contracted requirement and where that falls short of the business need, agree a plan to bridge the gap
• Serve as an escalation point on behalf of the business in case of service quality issues
• Conduct service reviews with the business 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 the business
• Review the IT costs and develop proposals for optimising local IT spend and manage IT assets
• 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 relevant teams
• Drive local delivery of IT transformation projects (End User Services, Network, Infrastructure, Security)
• Work with the business to fully leverage, exploit and drive adoption of technology and service capabilities used
• Educate the business on how to use the available technology services and maximise benefits
• Educate the business about IT policies, procedures, security, and compliance
• Lead a customer-centred culture, championing activities to empower business users to get maximum utilisation of IT, including organising training programmes and appoint super-users in relevant technology spaces
• To navigate resources from Enterprise Technology to respond to client contracts / audit requirements

What you'll need:

• 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
• Strong customer facing skills, in the ability to gain respect and confidence of senior stakeholders within the business
• Good communication and influencing skills along with personal gravitas to create relationships at senior levels
• Experience in IT strategy development and IT governance
• Knowledge of top-level IT architecture principles
• Good knowledge of all aspects of IT 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
• You have native level of Japanese language proficiency or JLPT (Japanese Language Proficiency Test) Level 1 equivalent or above, and business level English proficiency

Who you are:

You're open: We are inclusive and collaborative; we encourage the free exchange of ideas; we respect and celebrate diverse views. We are accepting: of new ideas, new partnerships, new ways of working.

You're optimistic: We believe in the power of creativity, technology and talent to create brighter futures or our people, our clients and our communities. We approach all that we do with conviction: to try the new and to seek the unexpected.

You're extraordinary: we are stronger together: through collaboration we achieve the amazing. We are creative leaders and pioneers of our industry; we provide extraordinary every day.

What we'll give you:

Passionate, inspired people – We promote a culture of people that do extraordinary work.

Scale and opportunity – We offer the opportunity to create, influence and complete projects at a scale that is unparalleled in the industry.

Challenging and stimulating work – Unique work and the opportunity to join a group of creative problem solvers. Are you up for the challenge?

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