Michael Dickson Email & Phone Number

London, United Kingdom

Group Technology Director in this global construction organisation with over 8,500 employees. Accountable for the overall technology architecture and strategic approach. Developed and delivered several group-wide strategies, focussing on improving cost efficiencies, sustainability opportunities, digital experiences, mobility and performance. Strategies such as cloud-first infrastructure, global network approach, collaboration platforms and modernisation in terms of information management and governance. Strategies incorporate innovation aligned to the overarching corporate vision and strategy. Responsible for technology architecture supporting all parts of the enterprise. Maintained security principles to drive major improvements across the organisation to continue to maintain key accreditations. A significant volume of supplier engagement and management in performing the delivery of critical services to the business. Introduction of new suppliers and partners to deliver key services. Created relationships and worked with key business stakeholders, C-execs, board members, internal teams, partners and vendors.• Built strong working relationships with key stakeholders and sponsors across the business and within the IT function.• Manage multi-supplier infrastructure teams that provide both group-wide critical IT services and project delivery.• Developed and delivered a strategic cloud roadmap aligned with business goals, prioritising infrastructure platforms supporting continued business growth.• Technical and architectural lead on infrastructure design policies and standards.• Contributing to change management board around technical and process change.• Managed costs and created considerable savings within a few months. • Budget management with cost control and supplier consolidation.• Risk management and mitigation.• Support for extensive infrastructure and network estate through a complex supplier lead matrix. • Security risk management.

United Kingdom

Head of IT Operations in this global facilities management organisation, providing IT services to +3,000 users. Supporting and managing critical server infrastructure and network architecture. Providing vendor engagement and management in performing the delivery of key services to the business. Project management, infrastructure management, change management and service management. An integral part of the technology department reporting to the CTO and accountable for the efficient operations of the global server and network infrastructure, service management, incident management and change management. Project managed critical projects to ensure technology stay's in line with future trends. Working with key business stakeholders, internal teams and vendors to ensure alignment to the technology strategy. • Implementation of key procedures and processes to enhance the IT ability and possibilities within the organisation.• Project managed a large-scale key data centre transformation programme within budget and ahead of schedule, with minimal impact on the business operations. • Recruited the necessary team to support the new transformation model which included the design and implementation of the support model. • Delivered multiple key solutions and improvements such as robust backup and disaster recovery solutions, these included all the necessary policies and procedural documentation.• Paying close attention to new technology trends and introduced new technologies to the business to enhance the reliability of the systems and where possible designing redundant systems to enhance stability and security.• Senior point of escalation for all critical and high profile incidents.• Regular vendor performance management through SLA/OLA agreements. • Accountability, responsibility and management of the entire IT estate to drive improvements and recommendations where required. • Stakeholder management and business partnering with various divisions.

London

A senior manager in this IT services firm, providing overall client relationship and escalation management for 60+ clients. On the senior operations team, supporting the smooth running of the business to achieve an overly satisfied customer base and commercial success. Coordinating engineering resources, providing technology improvement solutions and concepts and contract negotiation and renewals. • Implemented quality procedures, improve internal client revenue, improve customer service operations, enhance operational performance and oversee technical initiatives to make sure that quality and client satisfaction is adhered to at all times.• Managed and accountable for the performance of services for clients.• Worked closely with the service desk, service teams, technical account managers and operations team to ensure there is a solid understanding of performance requirements for clients.• A key member of the operational management team to ensure smooth delivery of all services to clients and to flag and remedy any areas of concern.

Johannesburg Area, South Africa

Senior Operations Manager in this SME IT Services firm, providing client relationship management and technical support for 80+ clients. A key part of the senior management team, overseeing general business function, ensuring the smooth running of the business whilst coordinating business activities and staff to achieve an outstanding customer satisfaction base and commercial success. Joined this startup business when there were 3 employees and supported the fundamental growth of the business. My title changed during this tenure until the point I left as Operation Director supporting 20 employees and a compelling client base. • Implementation of quality system procedures and processes, improving cost structure, customer service operations, operating performance, and overseeing technical teams ensuring quality and client satisfaction are upheld.• Leading 20+ employees in delivering process and service improvements throughout the business, as well as improving the performance of engineers, customer service, quality of service, quality of products used and reducing running costs.• Supporting the CFO with payroll, expenses and general HR processes from contract management to time-keeping.• Designed and managed contract/SLA renewals.• Customer service reporting with KPI's and SLA statistics. • Chaired regular client meetings to ensure channels of communication were open, in order to enhance the businesses relationship, offer technology improvement solutions.

Randburg, South Africa

Branch Manager in this entertainment company, overseeing general branch function and ensuring the smooth running of the shops and grounds. Coordinating staff to ensure the satisfied customer experience. Duties included:• Completing customer sales and replenishing of stocks.• Overseeing staff training to keep to company standards.• Overseeing all grounds staff making sure grounds were kept to the best standards.• Tracking financial information for executive use.

Master Of Business Administration - Mba, Business Administration And Management, General, Distinction

Level 7 Diploma In Strategic Management And Leadership, Business Administration And Management, General

Itil V3 Foundation Certificate In It Service Management

Certificate, Computer Programming And Database Design

Languages studied: SQL 2000, C# Programming, Beginners course to JAVA 5 Programming

Education record