Christopher Schmidt Email & Phone Number

Melbourne, Australia

As CIO I am responsible for developing and leading the overall technology strategy and roadmap along with the development and delivery of VAGO's ICT infrastructure and services. This role has broad technology responsibilities across strategy, development, delivery, architecture, security and risk management.

Melbourne, Australia

As Program Director I was responsible for formalising and maintaining the Department of Premier and Cabinet (DPC) ICT enhancement roadmap and related ICT strategy, and for the delivery of key initiatives to drive and deliver ICT modernisation and innovation across DPC and Portfolio Agencies, as well as the delivery of the department's key initiatives.

In my role as Director of Operations, I was responsible for overseeing information strategy and record keeping, information security, IT services, freedom of information, accommodation management, and fleet and chauffeur services. In this role, I am required to deal directly with ministerial staff, present to boards and brief department Audit and Risk Committees.

Melbourne Area, Australia

Victorian Government, Department of Premier and Cabinet. Focusing on ICT Strategy and best practice, technology transformation, service delivery and supporting machinery of government initiatives

Melbourne, Australia

I managed the firm's service desk, network, infrastructure and other technologies, reporting to the CIO. • Managed ITIL processes inc problem management, major incidents and service response.• Served as Chair of the Change Advisory Board.• Decreased the number of abandoned calls to the Service Desk by 20%.• Led a team to redesign and upgrade the organisation’s Citrix environment. • Delivered an internal/external communication solution using Microsoft Lync.• Implemented and managed Direct Access to enable 650 mobile users to connect securely and seamlessly without Citrix or a VPN.• Managed the Microsoft Office 365 and CRM dynamics environment.• Reduced licensing costs by qualifying the firm for silver membership in the Microsoft Partner Network.• Improved corporate storage management and performance via Flash-based storage: designed storage Success Criteria Agreement and led due diligence of the pre-storage purchase process.• Designed and implemented a network expansion for a new floor, a cloud-based Service Desk tool (Zendesk) and a Desktop Transformation Project (Windows 8 upgrade).• Improved the performance and reliability of corporate email by designing, deploying and managing an Exchange 2013 High Availability solution.• Upgraded the firm’s Virtual Infrastructure environment (VMware).• Implemented and managed network load balance solution to improve performance and reliability of public-facing internet systems (Citrix Netscaler).• Reviewed and redesigned Mobile Device Management (Citrix Zen Mobile), the email message size policy and an email stripping solution (Citrix ShareFile) and a wireless voice network (Microsoft Lync).

Melbourne, Australia

I was responsible for the strategy, direction, management and continual improvement of all ICT systems to maximise effectiveness and deliver competitive advantage:• Led Internal Customer Service Delivery to receive high levels of staff satisfaction with IT services via clear informative metrics and reporting.• Built a reliable and cost-effective IT platform, delivering high levels of service availability.• Contributed to business strategy on ICT matters. Demonstrated a strong understanding of the business and its commercial drivers.• Maintained strong industry involvement and relationships in IT and professional services. • Delivered projects and programs, strong governance and execution.• Provided accurate monthly IT Services status reports to the COO and IT Steering Committee. • Led successful negotiations with external vendors to achieve significant cost-reductions on the Cisco Network Refresh project.• Managed the design and delivered a new regional office network.

Melbourne, Australia.

This position was responsible for the supervision of the Networks and Infrastructure team; overall management of the firm’s network, infrastructure and other technologies critical to the business; and protecting all ICT assets:• Contributed significantly to business continuity and disaster recovery planning. Implemented a Disaster Recovery redesign.• Developed staff within the Networks and Infrastructure team. • Contributed to the future direction of the organisation’s IT Services through seeking out and aligning technology with the firm’s business requirements. • Improved the levels of service provided by removing IT complexity and simplifying systems.• Implemented annual security audit reports, working with external vendors.• Researched new technology and implemented systems and process improvements including: - Implemented server virtualization (VMware) that more than doubled capacity while reducing the physical server footprint and costs.- Upgraded the storage environment (EMC SAN). This improved data processing speeds and increased storage capacity.- Implemented enterprise-wide encryption to user endpoints for mobile devices and removable storage (Sophos Safeguard).- Improved the security and reduced risk around remote access with two-factor authentication (RSA authentication).- Implemented backup data deduplication to enable faster restore times and retain data backups onsite for longer periods without the need for tape.- Relocated the disaster recovery (DR) facility outside the Melbourne CBD. Hosted with Interactive (Port Melbourne) to accommodate future growth and enhance the firm’s business continuity plan.- Created a Test/Dev Environment making use of DR facility infrastructure when not in DR mode.

Melbourne, Australia

Responsible for the design, implementation and overall management of the firm’s ICT Network and Infrastructure. This included management of the firm’s servers, switches, firewalls, routers, desktops, printers, communication links and data and network security.• Provided expertise in network operation and troubleshooting.• Configured, monitored and managed corporate security devices and applications.• Planned, configured, installed, maintained and provided troubleshooting of all Windows systems.• Configured, monitored and managed the backup system.• Provided Level 3 Support, serving as the escalation point for all Network and Infrastructure matters.• Migrated email system from Lotus Notes to Exchange 2007.• Implemented Blackberry Enterprise Server for Exchange.• Introduced Offsite Tape Storage and assisted with a SAN migration and upgrade.

Melbourne, Australia

This role managed and maintained RAV’s server environment, to maximise the availability of servers for business operations. I was responsible for RAV’s data backup strategy to ensure that corporate data was protected from loss or damage, and could be restored in a timely manner.• Provided 2nd level support for Desktop and Helpdesk staff on server-related issues.• Supported enterprise-wide systems and network design and development for desktop and service desk staff.• Provided systems and MS Exchange administration and system backup.• Documented systems and services. • Prepared information, recommendation and decision papers.• Maintained and installed server hardware.• Oversaw external service providers, contracts and software licences.• Contributed significantly to the delivery of projects including:- Regional Operational Center Redevelopment.- Citrix Design.- Payroll system upgrade (GEAC).- Email system upgrade (MS Exchange 2003).- Microsoft SMS 2003.- Offsite Tape Storage review.- SMTP Mail Filter.

Melbourne, Australia

I managed the organisation’s helpdesk, network, infrastructure and other technologies for more than 300 staff across 20 locations throughout Australia and New Zealand:• Delivered system administration and network design and development including:- Hardware maintenance and installation.- MS Office 2000 and XP.- MS Exchange administration, system backup and intranet design.• Managed IT systems across the national and regional offices.• Provided onsite and remote helpdesk support for the organisation.• Managed IT projects across databases, intranet and the website.• Oversaw external service providers and contracts.• Implemented and managed a national Exchange email system and network printing.

Master Of Business Administration (Professional)

Strong foundation in conceptual knowledge incorporating recent developments in sustainability and global trends in business. Focus.

Bachelor Of Computing

Activities and Societies: Halls of Residence Committee Vice President

Education record