Director of Information Technology

About Four Seasons:

Four Seasons is powered by our people. We are a collective of individuals who crave to become better, to push ourselves to new heights and to treat each other as we wish to be treated in return. Our team members around the world create amazing experiences for our guests, residents, and partners through a commitment to luxury with genuine heart. We know that the best way to enable our people to deliver these exceptional guest experiences is through a world-class employee experience and company culture.
At Four Seasons, we believe in recognizing a familiar face, welcoming a new one and treating everyone we meet the way we would want to be treated ourselves. Whether you work with us, stay with us, live with us or discover with us, we believe our purpose is to create impressions that will stay with you for a lifetime. It comes from our belief that life is richer when we truly connect to the people and the world around us.

About the location:

A true home away from home. Four Seasons Resort at Sharm El Sheikh dedicates to perfecting the travel experience through continual innovation and the highest standards of hospitality. From elegant surroundings of the finest quality, to caring, highly personalized 24-hour service, Four Seasons embodies a true home away from home for those who know and appreciate the best. The deeply instilled Four Seasons culture personifies by its employees - people who share a single focus and encourage to offer phenomenal service.

Director of Information Technology – Four Seasons Sharm El Sheikh

About Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts: 

At Four Seasons, we believe in recognizing a familiar face, welcoming a new one and treating everyone, we meet the way we would want to be treated ourselves. Whether you work with us, stay with us, live with us or discover with us, we believe our purpose is to create impressions that will stay with you for a lifetime. It comes from our belief that life is richer when we truly connect to the people and the world around us.

Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts can offer what many hospitalities professionals dream of; the opportunity to build a life-long career with global potential and a real sense of pride in work well done.  We look for talent who share the Golden Rule – people who, by nature, believe in treating others as we would have them treat us.  As Four Seasons works towards phenomenal growth in the next decade, our most valuable partners continue to be our talent, with whom we have a strong relationship based on the Golden Rule. This relationship is made tangible by the awards received year after year by Four Seasons on a corporate level, as well as by our hotels, resorts, and residences around the world, making us an undisputed “employer of choice.”

About Four Seasons Hotel Sharm El Sheikh:

Four Seasons Resort Sharm El Sheikh, South Sinai. The resort sprawls across an enchanting natural preserve and is embellished by the emerald-colored Red Sea. Located in In Egypt, South Sinai overlook the amazing Red Sea

The Role of Director of Information Technology:

We currently have an opportunity for a talented Director of Information Technology to join our iconic hotel - Four Seasons Sharm El Sheikh.

You must be fluency in English and Arabic.

Reports to: 

Director of Finance / Area Director of Hotel Technology Services

Summary:

•          Responsible for the efficient operation and maintenance of all computer systems, data, and voice communications activities at property.

•          Support Area Director in Forecasting technology requirements and upgrades to existing technology to improve effectiveness of installed systems.

•          Execute hotel and corporate systems strategies.

Education: 

University or College degree – major in IT

Experience:

•          Five years of experience in hotel IT

•          Minimum two years of experience as Hotel Director of IT

•          Project Management and knowledge of hospitality applications, PMS, HSIA, POS are assets.

Travel: 

Occasional

Key Activities and outcomes

People Functions

•          Maintain harmonious and professional relationship with all departments and Home Office.

•          Must have strong interpersonal skills and be able to relate to all levels of management.

•          Must be able to assist hotel guests with technical requirements and issues.

•          Actively participate in monthly Senior Director of IT conference calls and share ideas and best practices.

•          Experience in Project Management, hospitality applications, PMS, HSIA, POS, is preferred.

•          Must be able to provide high levels of service and support to admin users as per contracted Service Level Agreement.

Product Functions

•          Ensure critical systems, specifically Front Office Property Management System, Call Accounting, HSIA, PABX and Food & Beverage Point of Sales computer systems are available twenty-four (24) hours per day.

•          Establish and maintain user procedures and hardware familiarization for all systems.

•          Establish and maintain system security procedures consistent with control requirements and corporate policy.

•          Maintain accurate records of system files, software and hardware issues and service requirements.

•          Maintain effective support for end user support process, other systems, including back office, sales & catering and human resources applications or any other property application.

•          Knowledge of specific hospitality industry applications and interfaces (i.e. Opera, Delphi, Back Office, Spa, HR systems, etc) is desirable.

•          Responsible for network support & security of hotel network, Active Directory maintenance, Server Infrastructure maintenance, Network Infrastructure maintenance – wired & wireless, Network protection & failover tools implementation (Firewall, web security, multi-homing devices, etc).

•          Administer O365, connection to global VPN and other communication tools

•          Establish and maintain, test, and monitor backup plan for all systems to ensure protection from loss of data and ensure backups are carried out in accordance with corporate and local policies.

•          Maintain and promote Four Seasons core technology standards as outlined in the Four Seasons IT Core Standards notes database.

•          As required, participate in and lead the co-ordination of new systems acquisitions, corporate initiated major projects and technology implementations.

•          Good knowledge and support for Desktop OS and applications.

•          Provide direct guest support and quality support to function rooms and conference services.

•          Assist the Director of Finance in administering all IT related maintenance and services contracts and take a leadership role in establishing scope of the maintenance and services contracts, contract negotiations and bidding process.

Profit Functions

•          Be a business manager.  Recommend new applications as requested by hotels to streamline business processes and improve workflow.

•          Negotiate and execute computer and data communications contracts to ensure compliance with their requirements.

•          Implement technology “best practices” from other Four Seasons properties that are workable.

•          Establish product lifecycle management for hardware/software and 10-year capital planning for technology.

•          Prepare IT operating budgets, IT capital budgets, and able to discuss and present a business case for all IT expenses.

Key Behavioral Competencies

• Proven leadership skills in a hotel environment
• Highest level of integrity and transparency
• Strong interpersonal and relationship-building skills and a team player with high energy levels to work with cross-functional teams, negotiate for resources and influence stakeholders
• Strong written and verbal communication skills to prepare and deliver reports, projects, effective presentations and facilitate meetings
• Strong problem-solving, decision-making, conflict-resolution and strategic-thinking skills
• Promote a continuous learning environment that creates an atmosphere for professional development opportunities
• Apply an ethical approach to influence the outcome of situations
• Serve as a role model for others by demonstrating appropriate business conduct and ethical principles
• Continuously seek to improve/develop the performance of others and continuously strive to improve his/her own performance
• Work in a safe, prudent, and organized manner

Technical skills and knowledge

• A working technical knowledge of hotel systems and operations.
• Desirable Microsoft or Cisco Certifications, strong network-building and trouble-shooting skills, including Microsoft Operating Systems, MAC Operating Systems and applications
• Strong business, resources and project planning experience
• Four Seasons IT Core Standards and key internal controls
• Good knowledge of the Four Seasons policies and procedures
• Knowledge of basic accounting principles

Key Functional Competencies

• Reasonable cost analysis, cost management and budgeting skills
• Clear understanding of the purpose and reasons for internal controls
• Understand and familiar with hotel quality standards and service standards
• Strong commitment to service

Internal Relationships

• Hotel Planning Committee and Department Heads
• Area Director of Finance
• Area Director of Hotel Technology Services
• VP Information Systems
• Director of Hotel Information Systems
• FSHO Information Systems and Technology Heads/Teams
• Director of IT of Four Seasons Hotels In the Region Director Of Internal Audit

External Relationships

• Director of IT of Hotels In the City
• Vendors and Contractors
• External Auditors