Digital Strategy Specialist

Roles and responsibilities

An IT Strategy Expert is a professional who develops and implements strategies to align an organization’s technology infrastructure with its business goals. They ensure that IT resources are utilized effectively to support business operations and drive growth, often bridging the gap between technology and business needs. The role requires a mix of technical expertise, strategic thinking, and leadership abilities.

Roles & Responsibilities

Strategic Thinking & Planning:

• Ability to develop long-term IT strategies that align with the business goals of the organization. This includes assessing current IT capabilities, identifying opportunities for innovation, and mapping out a technological roadmap for future growth.
  

Business Acumen

• A deep understanding of how technology can be leveraged to solve business problems, drive efficiencies, and create value. This includes aligning IT initiatives with business priorities and understanding the impact of technology on various business functions.
  

Technology Trends Awareness

• Staying up-to-date with emerging technology trends such as cloud computing, artificial intelligence (AI), cybersecurity, blockchain, big data, IoT (Internet of Things), and more. The ability to assess the potential impact of these trends on the organization and make recommendations accordingly.
  

Enterprise Architecture Knowledge

• Understanding of enterprise architecture principles, which include designing and managing the structure of an organization’s IT systems and aligning them with business processes and goals. Proficiency with frameworks like TOGAF (The Open Group Architecture Framework) or Zachman Framework is often beneficial.
  

IT Governance & Risk Management

• Expertise in ensuring that IT systems are secure, compliant with regulations, and aligned with industry best practices. Knowledge of IT governance frameworks (e.g., COBIT, ITIL) and the ability to manage risks associated with IT investments and operations.
  

Project & Program Management

• Ability to manage large, complex IT projects and programs, ensuring they are delivered on time, within budget, and according to specifications. Familiarity with project management methodologies such as Agile, Scrum, and Waterfall is critical.
  

Cybersecurity And Data Protection

• Knowledge of cybersecurity best practices, threat detection, and data protection policies to ensure that IT systems are secure and that organizational data is safe from cyber threats and breaches.
  

Cloud Strategy & Infrastructure Management

• Expertise in cloud technologies (public, private, and hybrid clouds), including cloud adoption, migration, optimization, and cost management. Familiarity with platforms like AWS, Microsoft Azure, and Google Cloud.

Desired candidate profile

• Designing and implementing strategies to ensure that IT systems remain functional during emergencies or disruptions. This includes disaster recovery plans, data backup systems, and business continuity planning.
  

Cost Management & Budgeting

• Ability to manage IT budgets effectively, ensuring that technology investments provide value for money. Skills in cost-benefit analysis, ROI analysis, and managing expenses related to IT infrastructure, software, and services.
  

Vendor Management & Negotiation

• Proficiency in evaluating and selecting technology vendors, managing supplier relationships, and negotiating contracts to ensure that the organization receives high- quality services at competitive prices.
  

Change Management

• Leading and managing organizational change related to IT transformations. This includes guiding teams through system upgrades, new technology implementations, and process changes, ensuring minimal disruption to operations.
• Leading organizational transformation processes related to IT systems, processes, and tools. Ensuring smooth transitions during IT-driven changes and managing the impact on staff and operations.
  

Leadership & Collaboration

• Strong leadership skills to guide cross-functional teams and influence stakeholders. Ability to work closely with executives, IT teams, business units, and external partners to align IT strategies with overall business objectives.
  

Data Analytics & Business Intelligence

• Expertise in using data analytics tools to derive actionable insights and make informed decisions about IT investments. This includes leveraging business intelligence tools and dashboards for performance measurement.
  

Customer-Centric Approach

• Understanding the role of IT in improving customer experiences. This includes using technology to enhance customer engagement, support digital marketing strategies, and drive digital transformation efforts.
  

Tools & Technologies

• Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) Systems: Oracle, Banner.
• Project Management Tools: Jira, Trello, Asana, Microsoft Project.
• Cloud Platforms: Amazon Web Services (AWS), Microsoft Azure, Google Cloud.
• Cybersecurity Tools: Firewalls, intrusion detection systems, encryption software.
• Data Analytics Tools: Power BI, Tableau, Google Analytics, Big Data tools (Hadoop, Spark).
• IT Governance Frameworks: COBIT, ITIL, TOGAF, ISO 27001.
• Collaboration Tools: Microsoft Teams, Zoom, SharePoint.
• Automation Tools: RPA (Robotic Process Automation), DevOps tools.
  

Soft Skills

• Problem-Solving: Ability to analyze complex situations, identify problems, and develop strategic solutions.
• Communication: Strong verbal and written communication skills to convey technical concepts to non-technical stakeholders and to collaborate effectively with business leaders.
• Negotiation Skills: Skilled in negotiating contracts, budgets, and service-level agreements (SLAs) with vendors and third-party providers.
• Critical Thinking: Ability to evaluate diverse scenarios and anticipate future needs or challenges in technology and business.
• Adaptability: Comfort with rapid technological changes and the flexibility to adjust strategies as business needs evolve.