Leiter Technologie

At Dean Group, we design and operate hotels that are rich with character and rooted in culture - from our flagship The Dean hotels to one-of-a-kind independents. Born in Dublin, we've grown into a global collection spanning Europe and the US. Our spaces are shaped by personality, not playbooks, and our people know that genuine hospitality comes from warmth, not scripts.

**Working Arrangements**:
Dublin-based preferred.

*This role requires travelling to other cities in Ireland, Western / Central Europe and the U.S*

**Key areas**:
IT Strategy & Leadership

Network Infrastructure Management

Data Security & Compliance

Systems Integration

IT Support & Maintenance

Vendor & Supplier Management

Pre-Opening Services

IT Costs & Budget

**Role Purpose**:
The Head of Technology for the group will be responsible for leading and managing the technology infrastructure and digital transformation initiatives across the group.

The role involves overseeing the implementation of new systems, optimizing current IT functions, and managing a team of IT professionals & service providers across multiple hotel locations in Ireland, Germany, and the U.S., in addition to scaling operations as Dean Group's geographic footprint continues to expand.

**Key Responsibilities**:
**1. IT Strategy & Leadership**

- Develop and execute an IT strategy that aligns with the hotel group's overall business objectives, ensuring the adoption of innovative technologies and best practices.
- Work closely with the executive team to identify business challenges that can be addressed through IT solutions, proposing technology projects that drive revenue and enhance guest experience.
- Drive the digital transformation agenda, integrating IT into all areas of operations, including but not limited to operations and management.
- Ensure that all technology initiatives are scalable and support the long-term growth of the hotel group.
- Regularly assess emerging trends and innovations in the hospitality tech space, making recommendations for future investment.

**2. Network Infrastructure Management**

- Oversee the design, implementation, and management of the group's IT network, ensuring seamless connectivity across all hotel locations.
- Primary contact for third party network support provider.
- Ensure the availability and performance of critical systems, including Wi-Fi networks, guest-facing technologies, and back-office operations.
- Manage installation and day to day functions of primary operational systems, including:

- PMS (Opera Cloud, Opera v5)
- Physical & Digital Key Systems (Flexipass & Salto)
- F&B & Ticketing POS (Micros Simphony, Admit One)
- F&B Reservations (Open Table, SevenRoom)
- Spa & Gym Reservations, Scheduling & POS (Premier Core/One Journey, bSport)
- Procurement (Procure Wizard)
- HACCP & Property Maintenance Software (Alkimii, KitchTech).
- Legal (Ironclad)

Implement and manage business continuity & disaster recovery plans to mitigate risks of IT system failures.

**3. Data Security & Compliance**

- Lead the design and implementation of a robust cybersecurity strategy, ensuring all digital systems are protected against internal and external threats.
- Ensure compliance with all relevant data protection regulations, including GDPR, and implement best practices for data handling and privacy across the group.
- Monitor and respond to security incidents and breaches, ensuring that protocols are in place for rapid detection and resolution.
- Regularly conduct security audits and vulnerability assessments, addressing any potential risks or areas of non-compliance.

**4. Systems Integration**

- Oversee the integration of different software systems across the hotel group, ensuring seamless communication and interoperability between the finance, reservations, front desk, F&B, legal and marketing department.
- Lead initiatives to upgrade or replace legacy systems with modern, cloud-based solutions that enhance productivity and operational efficiency.
- Collaborate on the adoption of data analytics tools with the executive team to drive business insights and improve decision-making across the hotel group.

**5. IT Support & Maintenance**

- Review and evaluate current IT Support structure and propose a future way of working.
- Liaise with third party IT support company
- Implement robust IT support processes, including the creation of helpdesk protocols, troubleshooting guides, and service level agreements (SLAs)
- Ongoing software user/licence management & review
- Ongoing hardware inventory management & review
- Domain Names registration, management & reviews
- Work closely with third-party support vendors to ensure mínimal downtime and swift issue resolution.

**6. Vendor & Supplier Management**

- Review current vendors and suppliers, their scope of work and the fit into the Groups strategy, run RFPs to identify new suppliers and negotiate agreements.
- Develop and manage relationships with key IT vendors, suppliers, and tec