CTO/CIO, Head of Technology

Summary & Overview:

This candidate is a senior technology, product and transformation leader who has recently moved back to Perth following more than 11 years with a large national telecommunications organisation. Their career has moved from founding and growing their own ISP, through product and commercial leadership, and into executive roles spanning technology, innovation, product, workforce and transformation. Most recently, they led a 65-person multidisciplinary Product Technology function, with responsibility for capability, people, deployment and an annual labour budget of around $8.5M.

They left through a voluntary redundancy and took some time out before starting their search. They are now available immediately and looking for a permanent CIO, CTO, Head of Technology or similar technology leadership position. They are particularly interested in digital transformation, innovation and roles where they can lead people and technology together. Mining, energy and technology are all of interest, and they would prefer a larger commercial environment.

Why hire:

Good chat, nice person and communicates very well. Technology and innovation have been a consistent thread throughout their career. They founded their first technology business in the 1990s, later became Chief Product Officer within a major ISP and then moved into senior technology leadership. Their experience covers product, platforms, emerging technology, AI, data science, engineering and workforce transformation, while still being commercially focused.

People leadership is also a big part of what they enjoy. In their recent role they led a multidisciplinary team across product and technology and contributed to a much broader workforce operating model covering thousands of people. Earlier, they ran an emerging technology capability of around 60 people and led experimentation across AI, automation, robotics, computer vision, IoT and cyber. They came across as someone who still genuinely enjoys technology and exploring what can be done with it, rather than having moved completely into executive administration.

Areas for development/review:

Their recent career has been heavily concentrated within telecommunications and technology, so a move into mining or energy would involve learning a new operating environment. That said, they are specifically interested in making that move and are not fixed on remaining within telco.

They have also operated at a significant scale and remuneration level, so the size and scope of the opportunity will matter. Smaller organisations with limited technology teams are unlikely to give them the leadership remit they are looking for. Government is also less of a preference as they feel the pace would be too slow.

Availability and remuneration expectations:

Available immediately and looking for a permanent position. They are not looking to continue moving between roles and would like somewhere they can stay and contribute longer term.

They are seeking around $280K as a base, plus superannuation and benefits.