Head of IT Governance

MSC Cruises, the world's 3rd largest cruise operator, is embarking on an ambitious 10-year investment plan of €13.6 billion. This plan encompasses the construction of up to 17 new digitally advanced ships, state-of-the-art terminals, and other pivotal assets.

As we steer towards transforming our business, we're building a modern, digitalized company where IT plays a central role in supporting this digital metamorphosis.

Joining MSC Cruises means stepping into a dynamic, international setting with the autonomy to shape and define the digital future of our organization. With the backing and breadth of a rapidly evolving global business, our environment is international, fast-paced, highly collaborative, and meritocratic.

The Head of Governance will play a crucial role in ensuring the effectiveness and consistency of the IT operational model across the organisation.

Reporting directly to the Chief Information Officer (CIO), the jobholder will be responsible for overseeing the governance of IT processes, managing the IT project portfolio, and ensuring effective communication with stakeholders, including the board. This position requires a strategic thinker with strong leadership skills and a comprehensive understanding of IT governance, project management, and financial oversight.

• Ensure Consistency of the IT Operational Model: Develop, implement, and maintain a consistent and efficient IT operational model, ensuring that IT processes are standardised and aligned with business objectives and industry best practices.

• Manage IT Project Portfolio: Oversee the entire portfolio of IT projects, ensuring they are aligned with the strategic goals of the organisation. This includes prioritising projects, allocating resources, and ensuring timely delivery within scope and budget.

• Communicate with Stakeholders and the Board: Regularly communicate with internal and external stakeholders, including the board, to provide updates on IT strategies, project progress, and governance activities. Prepare and present reports that clearly articulate the value and impact of IT investments.

• Budget Management and Extra Budget Process: Manage the budget for the IT Governance function, including forecasting, monitoring expenses, and handling the process for extra budget requests to ensure financial discipline and alignment with organisational goals.

• Maintain and Evolve Project Management Platform: Oversee the maintenance and evolution of the project management platform, ensuring it supports the efficient management of projects and enables transparency and collaboration across teams.

• Support IT Investment Benefit Tracking: Support the tracking and realisation of benefits from IT investments, ensuring that projects deliver the expected value and contribute to the strategic objectives of the organisation.

• Measure Vendor Performance: Establish and monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) for vendor performance, ensuring that service delivery meets contractual obligations and organisational standards. Manage relationships with vendors to optimise service delivery and value.

• Coordinate Contract Management with Procurement: Collaborate closely with the procurement team to manage the contract lifecycle, including negotiation, execution, and compliance monitoring, ensuring that contracts align with organisational policies and deliver value.

• Act as First Point of Escalation for Critical Programs: Serve as the first point of escalation for critical programs, providing leadership and direction to resolve issues promptly and effectively to minimise the impact on operations.

• Support Regular Communications: Assist in the preparation and dissemination of periodic communications to stakeholders, including status updates, performance reports, and strategic insights.

•Degree in Computer Science, Business Administration, Economics, or a related technical field.

•Minimum of 10-15 years of experience in IT governance, project portfolio management, or a related field within a large multinational corporation or consulting firm.

•Demonstrated experience in managing large-scale IT projects and driving complex transformational programs.

•Proven ability in managing budgets and financial processes.

•Strong leadership and team management skills, with experience managing cross-functional teams.

•Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, capable of engaging effectively with stakeholders at all levels, including the board.

•Strong negotiation skills and experience in vendor management and contract negotiations.

•Solid understanding of IT project management methodologies, such as Agile and Scrum.

•Proficient in English, both oral and written; knowledge of additional European languages is a plus.

•Analytical and problem-solving mindset with the ability to handle multiple tasks and prioritise effectively.

EU Passport or Right to work in Switzerland.

In the course of our recruitment and selection process, we may make your Personal Information available to third parties such as recruitment agency, intermediaries and other business partners.