Business Relationship Director Product

INTRODUCTION

At Burberry, we believe creativity opens spaces. Our purpose is to unlock the power of imagination to push boundaries and open new possibilities for our people, our customers and our communities. This is the core belief that has guided Burberry since it was founded in 1856 and is central to how we operate as a company today.

We aim to provide an environment for creative minds from different backgrounds to thrive, bringing a wide range of skills and experiences to everything we do. As a purposeful, values-driven brand, we are committed to being a force for good in the world as well, creating the next generation of sustainable luxury for customers, driving industry change and championing our communities.

JOB PURPOSE

Supporting the area VP in being responsible for providing the business units with IT Technology leadership to help develop and shape strategic plans to achieve excellence and strategic advantage within the market place. The role has a strategic focus on maximising the use of technology and optimising technology investments across the enterprise to achieve business strategy and drive success. Overall responsibility for the relationship management and definition and oversight of portfolio, providing subject matter expertise and advice (Technology and from business area) to establish a value adding partnership between IT and internal client group.
The BRD will be responsible for establishing and developing cross-functional working across business streams, to gain a detailed understanding of the various interdependencies when working on project portfolios.

RESPONSIBILITIES

STRATEGY:

• Identify global strategic business opportunities and challenges
• Establish and maintain commercial relationships with the SLT and Chief in Tower
• Translate the business strategy to create the IT roadmap
• Take responsibility for the definition and management of IT budgets in support of the roadmap
• Lead the technology innovation into the tower by keeping aware of technology changes
• Ensure all relevant senior stakeholders are aligned.
• Direct the project roadmap and advise on business challenges
• Be a trusted advisor to the Client Chief and their Exec team and be the IT lead on highly confidential or commercially sensitive projects.
• Maintain a strong level of understanding of competing internal change activities and programmes, and consider the impact of external influences and controls.

RELATIONSHIP MANAGEMENT:

• Managing relationships with senior stakeholders both within Burberry and Burberry affiliates
• Manage the ongoing critical relationship between IT and the business leaders of the tower ensuring clear and
• appropriate communication between all parties. Critical to the positive interaction between business and IT globally
• Champion the business partner way of working across the team and organisation
• To manage the relationship with vendors within the portfolio, including budget management and contract renewal negotiations

COMMUNICATION:

• Understand and communicate the IT strategy to client groups and cross functional teams
• Regular communication to SLT and senior stakeholders on progress of global projects
• Communication and awareness of initiatives of interest to each business unit
• Facilitation of Communication to Regional CIOs on Corporate roadmaps to ensure alignment
• Create awareness and engagement of Technology initiatives which impact business area
• To represent (or ensure team representation) IT in x-functional meetings/projects ensuring consistent messages reaching business functions on new projects/timings etc.
• Support and guide the Business on 'how to' from an IT perspective (and vice versa)

PROJECTS:

• Identify the demand for new technology services, manage expectations for delivery of demand; ensuring roadmap is aligned to business strategy.
• To collaborate with the business to structure Steercoms.
• Working closely with the project managers delivering within the business area to ensure deliveries are to plan - and act as the escalation point if not.
• To identify and communicate strategic and operational risks associated with the impact of technological changes
• IT Engagement representation on Steering Groups
• To be the escalation point to ensure business and IT issues are resolved

SERVICE & SUPPORT:

• Accountable for consistent service provision for the business customers by partnering with the areas service manager to ensure that a fit for purpose transition and service support provision is delivered
• Guide the business through correct IT procedures
• Contribute to Business, Legal & Commercial Procurement in getting 3rd Party Contracts negotiated & signed
• Ensure an effective CR process with Customer/IT Solutions

PERSONAL PROFILE

• SME of relevant discipline - PLM and Merchandising, Raw Materials Engineering and Product development, Creative Ops or Product Merchandising
• Foundational background in Technology - Technology experience with Gerber, TXT, Flex PLM and SAP (desirable)
• Strong & demonstrable experience of creating strategies and delivering against strategies
• Strong partnering and influencing skills
• Strong Commercial acumen
• Exceptional persuasive and influencing skills
• Wide knowledge of technology issues, trends & constraints and how these can be leveraged to enhance the strategic capability and operational efficiency of an international business
• Clear understanding of IT project finance and IT operational finance within a business context. Must clearly understand the business planning cycle and how to engage within it
• Sound understanding of project life cycles and project management methods

FOOTER

Burberry is an Equal Opportunities Employer and as such, treats all applications equally and recruits purely on the basis of skills and experience.

Posting Notes: United Kingdom || Not Applicable || London || IT || PRODUCT & SUPPLY CHAIN || n/a ||