Technology Innovation Officer

About Palladium:

Palladium is in the business of making the world a better place,and we believe that collaborative models and systemic approaches are the way toachieve progress and success. It's no longer enough to pursue social progressor commercial growth. In fact, we don't believe you can have one without theother. When you have both, that's what we call "Positive Impact". Fornearly 60 years, we’ve been helping our clients to see the world asinterconnected – by formulating strategies, building partnerships, mobilisingcapital, and implementing programs that have a lasting social and financialimpact.

In June , Palladium merged with Global InfrastructureSolutions Inc. (GISI) of the United States to become the Global Sustainabilityand & Impact platform in its workforce now exceeding 14,professionals. In addition to theConstruction Services, Engineering & Consulting platforms, Palladium willdeliver its services to a market that recognizes that physical infrastructuremust be supported by meaningful social infrastructure.

Palladium selected GISI as a merger partner because as one of itscore values, it embraces a partnership approach to transition ownership,enabling its merger partner companies to grow and diversify withoutcompromising their legacies and brands. The Company Management team shares itsexpertise and provides broader market reach through its industry relationshipsand networking. The employee ownership concept provides management and keyemployees the opportunity of ownership in a global enterprise that is wellpositioned to serve the needs of its partnering companies.

This Opportunity:

The Technology Innovation Officer (TIO) will play an integral rolein driving Palladium’s strategic business priorities and transformation byleveraging technology and digital enablement. This role will require acombination of technology and business strategy expertise to optimizeoperations, improve performance, and contribute to our development of impact.The role is both strategic and operational, responsible for developing thetechnology approach for the company incorporating solution design to enable thebusiness and appropriate use of emerging technologies, such as AI, to improvebusiness operations and outcomes.

Initially the TIO will prioritise needs assessment, strategydevelopment and solution design as a six-month consulting style assignment,with a Digital Strategy being a key deliverable. Upon completion, the focuswill turn to implementation in conjunction with Palladium stakeholders, toinclude the Global ICT team and client facing digital/technology consultingteams. In both the initial phase andbeyond, the TIO will engage and support the Office of the CEO and COO indeveloping long-term strategies and communicating the vision of the company toemployees and the public. The TIO will concentrate on implementing thosestrategies and executing related short-term plans including the roll out oftraining and staff development. In executing the strategies, the TIO will alsoact as a critical intermediatory between the company’s internal ICT team andthe client facing consulting teams.

Location:

The position is based in Palladium’s London, UK office.

You and Your Career:

If you are a leader and you have expertise in managing complextechnology operations, preferably in the international development sector, weare interested in hearing from you. 

We are a learning organization and provide growth opportunitiesfrom the start. We pride ourselves on giving you the freedom, resources,and guidance to chart a fulfilling career!

Reporting Lines:

The role will report directlyto the Chief Operating Officer and deliver the following reportingrequirements:

Manage and/or attend of all meetings as required.
Regular updates with the COO and Co-CEOs.
Exception reports as and when required.
Therole will be required to liaise closely with all levels of the business.

PrimaryRoles and Responsibilities: 

AsTechnology Innovation Officer, you will be responsible for leading innovations tosystems design, technology and AI ensuring the successful delivery of ourprograms and efficient operations of the business. Working with Global ICT youwill also play a key role in shaping the technological strategic direction ofthe company, ensuring that our technologies are aligned with our overallmission and goals.

Technology Innovation Strategy:

Working with the existing ICT leadership and COO:

Develop and implement the company’s technology innovation strategy in alignment with business goals.
Identify and evaluate emerging technologies to ensure the company remains at the forefront of innovation.
Oversee the development and implementation of technology initiatives to improve cost-effectiveness, service quality, and business development.

Solution Design:

Work with Global ICT to design scalable, secure, and high-performance analytical and transactional IT solutions.
Collaborate with cross-functional teams to understand business requirements and translate them into technical specifications.
Ensure that solutions are aligned with industry best practices, regulatory requirements and client contractual requirements.
Prioritize and drive the development of a cohesive enterprise architecture, creating a systems integration ecosystem across Palladium’s business and technology portfolio.

Client Technology Solutioning:

Working with client facing digital/technology practice areas, focus on digital strategy, technology enablement of client engagements, and complex platform design/commissioning, working with key Palladium market-segment leaders.
Build capabilities in enterprise and solutions architecture, consulting/client engagement expertise, and broaden experience with diverse technologies, including new and emerging areas such as AI.
Lead research and development of future IT solutions for both client and internal usage

Systems Development

Contribute to the selection, development and implementation of systems.
Identify and evaluate emerging technologies, particularly in AI, to ensure the company remains at the forefront of innovation.
Establish processes and oversee system implementation working with key business leaders to roll-out systems using change management frameworks.
Participate in GISI wide initiatives for business data system strategy and integration.

Stakeholder Engagement:

Engage with clients and partners to understand their needs and provide tailored technology solutions, working with key Palladium market-segment leaders.
Promote a culture that embraces technology and acts as a key liaison between the technology team and other departments, ensuring effective communication and collaboration.
Present technology strategies and solutions to the executive team and stakeholders, educating and building technology leadership competencies as required.
Act as a key liaison between the technology team and other departments, ensuring effective communication and collaboration.

Capacity Building:

Help build capacity on technology solutions across the company.

Financial Management:

Develop and deliver against an approved technology budget including working closely with the finance team and the COO to ensure that vendor relationships represent best value.
Together with the COO, quantify the impact of technological innovations on the efficiency and performance of the business.
Manage technology budget and project spend, maximizing outputs and project income within our external programs.

Reporting

Ensure continuous monitoring of performance against both budget and strategy to identify areas of concern and to recommend appropriate mitigating measures.

Compliance

Ensure operational compliance with legal, regulatory and client contracting regulations.
Maintain awareness of changes in obligations and markets shifts.

EssentialCriteria:

Proven experience in leading and managing complex technology operations, preferably in the international development sector.
Experience designing and executing technology strategies including costing and budgeting
Connected with industry working groups networks to keep ahead of current technology and client requirements
Change management experience
People management experience, including setting clear performance objectives, managing for results, giving and receiving feedback, performance evaluation and mentoring/coaching staff.
Strong understanding of ODA principles and practices, as well as experience with project management, financial management, and risk management.
Familiarity with current Information Technology and Cybersecurity operational and risk environments.
Demonstrated personal and situational awareness to build stakeholder confidence and positive relationships with individuals across all levels and areas of the firm.
Excellent leadership and communication skills, with the ability to motivate and inspire teams across different cultures and geographies.
Demonstrated respect for diversity and inclusion and works to actively promote an inclusive work environment and good working relationships amongst other people.
High standard of written, verbal, and presentation communication skills including public speaking.
Proven ability to convey the technology concepts of operations to non-technological managers (training, coaching, tool development).
Commitment to Palladium’s vision, mission and values.
Key Competency Requirements - These competencies are the Palladium core competencies for senior management and executive leadership roles.
Client/Customer relationship – focus on providing results and outcomes for our clients, customers and communities.
Financial and Commercial numeracy and literacy (inc M&A).
Project & Change Management skills/tools – including internal projects.
Building and leading effective teams (including SMEs).
Market & Business Development – either leading or supporting through relevant contribution.
Strategy agility.
Complex/challenging project delivery – external and/or internal.
Embedding institutional capabilities (process and technology).
Developing and managing people.
Communicating – in all environments.
Embracing digital opportunities.
EQ and IQ in balance.

DesirableCriteria:

Education in Computer Science, Information Technology, or a related field (Master’s preferred).

Equity, Diversity & Inclusion- Palladium is committed to embedding equity, diversity, and inclusion into everything we do. We welcome applications from all sections of society and actively encourage diversity to drive innovation, creativity, success and good practice. We positively welcome and seek to ensure we achieve diversity in our workforce; and that all job applicants and employees receive equal and fair treatment regardless of their background or personal characteristics. These include: (but are not limited to) socio-economic background, age, race, gender identity and expression, religion, ethnicity, sexual orientation, disability, nationality, veteran, marital or Indigenous status.