Director for Innovation and Transformation, Digital Transformation

Reports to: Associate Vice President (AVP) for Digital Transformation and Chief Strategy Knowledge Officer

Purpose: The job holder will act as:

• A strategist, supporting the AVP in outlining the AUC Smart Campus vision, defining the technology direction and implementing an effective technology strategy that is linked to the internal team objectives, and most importantly making certain that the investment in IT complements and contributes to AUC’s mission and strategic plan.
• A technologist, by assessing new technologies that improve AUC’s processes and manage complexity. Exploring innovation through proposed changes to AUC’s business architecture, operations and technology.
• A catalyst, by building and maintaining customer journeys that provides a holistic view to prioritize needs and identify pain areas, as well as highlighting improvement opportunities that will impact the current and future operations of the digital transformation area.
• An operator, by leading high-profile digitization projects and delivering efficient IT services and solutions that support digital transformation mission, while mitigating risk and protecting enterprise assets.

Responsibilities:

Transformation (Supporting the AVP in the following):

• Define AUC’s digital transformation vision for 2030 and develop the Smart Campus transformation roadmap
• Develop and implement a technology strategic plan in collaboration with the digital transformation executive leadership and the internal governance committee (IT community)
• Define the priorities, objectives and targets that underpin what contributes to strategy execution
• Lead the internal IT governance committee (IT community) that monitors, tracks and reports on strategic initiatives and new requests after discussion and vetting with IT leaders
• Prioritizing and classifying IT projects and initiatives on a quarterly basis in accordance with an agreed-upon priority matrix for IT planning committee meetings
• Aligning the application of effective ITIL practices to all IT lifecycles
• Driving the research and assessment of new opportunities, potential impact and tracking strategic changes in the local, regional and global higher education environment
• Develop and maintain strategic relationships with higher education communities and leading corporations
• Organizing technical development opportunities and venues to improve employees' knowledge and skills for future organizational growth

Technology Tracking:

• Stay on top of technology trends and developments
• Have an in-depth knowledge of internal and external business products and value proposition
• Research and analyze areas of interest to the institution which will allow the institution to gain a competitive advantage
• Lead new thinking and nurture new ideas from concept, through pilot and into a mainstream activity

Innovation:

• Identify, incubate and experiment to generate ideas and concepts, ensuring a culture of learning and innovation
• Ensure to interpret the business strategy and determine innovative solutions supporting strategy implementation
• Lead and manage innovative approaches to business challenges and work with digital transformation teams to deliver customer-centric solutions
• Support digital transformation area teams to remain updated with the technology trends through development tracks aligned with technology direction
• Keep track of and analyze the competition to suggest technological innovations

Customer Journeys:

• Promote journey mapping practices across the University by collaborating with stakeholders to have a holistic view that can assist them in understanding their targeted customers’ behavior and focus on their pain areas
• Identify business strengths, weaknesses and potential improvement opportunities that can deliver a seamless and remarkable experience
• Facilitate and lead key business relationships and drive integration across channels, and client experience teams
• Constantly work towards improving and reporting on the performance and user experience as measured against key metric and qualitative goals
• Build integrated differentiated value propositions to drive customer engagement and improve in client relationship

Requirements:

Minimum Education Requirements:

• University degree in computer science, engineering or a related field

Experience:

• Extensive industry knowledge with an eye toward the future
• 8 years working in a technological role
• 3 years of managerial experience
• Knowledge of higher education institutions is a plus
• ITIL/TOGAF preferred

Skills:

• Working experience in planning and strategic management
• Effective leadership skills
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills
• Attention to detail and having a high level of accuracy
• Analytical mindset with problem-solving skills
• Ability to organize, set priorities, take initiative, work under pressure, meet deadlines, work on simultaneous projects effectively and exercise sound independent judgment within general policy guidelines
• Ability to communicate complex information and ideas clearly and effectively, both orally and in writing, to multiple audiences. Use a high degree of tact and diplomacy in dealing with sensitive and complex issues and situations
• Ability to carry out duties and responsibilities with considerable independence within the framework of established policies, procedures and guidelines

• position is open until March 26, 2023

Placement is based on the candidate’s experience and skills. Only candidates who make it to the shortlist will be contacted.

"The American University in Cairo is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. Individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply."

“We thank all individuals who have expressed interest in working at The American University in Cairo.”