Director, Information Technology

Fairmont The Palm is a luxury, world-class resort located on the iconic Palm Jumeirah Island in Dubai. The hotel features 391 guest rooms and suites with dedicated Fairmont Gold rooms and lounge. A total of 11 food and beverage outlets on property offer international dining options including Michelin Guide recommended 2022 and 2023 Little Miss India, Frevo - Brazilian Churrasco experience, Seagrill Bistro, Ba Restaurant and Lounge, Blowfish, Flow Kitchen, The Cigar Room, Vuvuzela and others. Fairmont The Palm also features an expansive pool and beach area with a health club, Serenity Spa Dubai - The Art Of Well Being and the Fairmont Falcons Kids’ Club.

• Support the implementation of the IT strategy, structure, budgets, people, financial outcomes and scorecard metrics for the hotel’s IT Department.
• Initiate and manage IT projects for the hotel and consult the key stakeholders in strategic IT matters concerning the hotel.
• Provide business cases to justify investment and expenditure as part of the approval process.
• Support the IT Operations team to ensure smooth day-to-day operation.
• Manage day-to-day IT operations in the hotel, implement and enforce Accor IT brand standards, new technologies, systems, projects, policies, guidelines and audit requirements,
• Ensure new standards are implemented, projects are completed, and reports are submitted.
• Enforce IT standards and policies in the hotel, including user rights, backup policy, preventive maintenance, contingency planning etc.
• Ensure that technical system documentation is available, up to date and accessible.
• Identify IT related risks and issues and implement risk mitigation strategies together with hotel management.
• Manage follow-up reviews and escalated IT issues from different departments.
• Manage / plan hotels P&L, business plans, budget and future technology investments.
• Review monthly IT P&L with management & those responsible for cost optimization plans for the hotel.
• Negotiate vendor contracts to take advantage of economies of scale.
• Maintain good relationships with hotel GM, HODs, users, guests, vendors and other business stakeholders.
• Liaise and communicate directly with Regional IT team on a regular basis as required. This includes submitting monthly reports, complying with new standards, following up on new projects etc.
• Attend key meetings in the hotels such as HOD meetings, budget meetings or whenever requested by the GM.
• Attend Accor key regional meetings and workshops such as AH weekly call, Annual IT conference, IT Ingenuity quarterly meeting, Budget meetings etc.
• Manage relationships with vendors, ensuring that support provided to hotels is in line with Accor standards.
• Manage the local IT team (direct reports) to ensure effective and reliable day-to-day operations.
• Conduct yearly performance reviews for direct reports.
• Encourage team members to participate in Accor regional eLearning platform.
• Carry out IT recruitment, talent development and performance management of the IT team.
• Stay up-to-date with industry trends and on how IT can help to improve operational efficiencies, enhance revenue and optimize the cost of doing business.
• Enroll in Accor regional eLearning platform and upskill regularly.
• Ensure systems versions/patches are up to date.
• Respond to complex data security vulnerabilities in a timely manner.
• Contribute to the establishment of a comprehensive plan for data recovery as part of contingency plan.
• Monitor and assess the information security compliance practices of all Heartists in accordance with Accor's standard policies and procedure.
• Ensure implementation of data security policies, procedures, and processes.
• Identify, rectify, and report database performance issues to enhance its capabilities.
• Prepare and implement test plans  and  procedures  (e.g. unit tests,  end  users’ acceptance tests, etc.) to assess the effectiveness of the databases.
• Conduct regular and ad hoc database related audits to ensure integrity.
• Demonstrate expert knowledge in IT infrastructure-related principles, initiatives, and trends.
• Resolve non-routine IT infrastructure related problems and make recommendations concerning improvements.
• Oversee and participate in IT infrastructure design and upgrade initiatives.
• Monitor system logs and activity on all servers and make adequate recommendations to mitigate any potential risks.
• Monitor recent technology developments and recommends implementation as deemed appropriate.
• Lead implementation of technology upgrades / enhancements.
• Champion productive technology solutions to meet business needs.
• Participate in the functional development and specifications of new IT solutions.
• Conduct basic software training.
• Ensure effectiveness of the training on the technology and applications in place.
• Ensure systems are utilized to their maximum capacity.
• Simulate  damage  scenarios  in  order  to  conduct  further  analysis  on  damaged equipment and find comprehensive solutions for recurring problems.
• Examine supported systems and makes recommendations for improvement.
• Ensure only original and properly licensed software is running on the hotel’s systems and computers.
• Ensure no End of Life products are installed and/or connected to the hotel network.
• Review reports on security breaches and ensures the implementation of recovery measures in a timely manner.
• Consult with hardware / software providers in order to ensure provision of specific maintenance services.
• Establish, update, and ensure the implementation of a disaster recovery plan if deemed required.
• Ensure the provision of prompt and quality technical support services to IT users across the hotel.
• Meet with IT Team on a regular basis to discuss recurring IT problems and to find permanent solutions.

• Degree in IT, Computer Science, or other relevant discipline.
• 7+ years working in an IT environment at a senior level.
• Experience of embedding change projects within an organization.
• Demonstrated experience of managing IT budgets and project management.
• Experience of managing IT infrastructure across dispersed locations.
• A passion for improving the delivery of services with a commitment to continuous improvement.
• Strong interpersonal and problem solving abilities
• Highly responsible & reliable with exceptional attention to detail
• Ability to focus attention on guest needs, remaining calm and courteous at all times