Chief Information Officer (CIO)

About XTEL

At XTEL, we excel in understanding large FMCG players. As a leading software provider of sales automation solutions for the Consumer Goods Industry worldwide, our mission is to partner with our customers to unlock growth through smart investment and optimize their promotional plans.

Position Overview

The Chief Information Officer (CIO) is a key member of the executive leadership team, responsible for shaping and executing the company’s technology vision and strategy. The CIO will lead the global IT and information security functions, ensuring that our infrastructure, systems, and platforms support innovation, scalability, and operational excellence. This role is both strategic and hands-on, requiring a leader who can align technology with business goals while fostering a culture of agility, security, and continuous improvement.

Key Responsibilities

  · IT Systems & Architecture

• Lead the management and evolution of a modern, cloud-based infrastructure built on Microsoft Azure and Microsoft 365, supporting business-critical SaaS applications.
• Oversee the integration and optimization of a broad portfolio of enterprise SaaS platforms for collaboration, development, business operations, and analytics.
• Direct identity and access management, device management, and secure connectivity across a distributed workforce.
• Champion automation, DevOps, and best practices for continuous delivery and operational excellence in a multi-cloud environment.

  · Governance, Risk & Compliance (GRC)

• Establish and maintain IT governance frameworks aligned with international standards (e.g., ISO 27001, SOC 2, NIST).
• Oversee compliance and risk management programs, including regular audits, policy development, and vendor risk assessments.
• Ensure robust data privacy, information governance, and business continuity planning.

  · Cybersecurity & Risk Management

• Own the enterprise cybersecurity strategy, leveraging advanced endpoint protection, threat detection, and security operations platforms.
• Oversee vulnerability management, incident response, and security awareness programs.
• Implement and monitor best practices for cloud security, Zero Trust, and defense-in-depth.
• Collaborate with external partners and internal stakeholders to ensure a proactive security posture.

  · Vendor & Partner Management

• Oversee relationships with strategic technology vendors, cloud providers, and managed service partners.
• Lead contract negotiations, SLA management, and performance reviews to ensure value, security, and compliance.
• Evaluate and select new technology partners to align with business needs and future growth.

  · IT Financial Management & Budgeting

• Develop and manage IT budget, ensuring cost efficiency and alignment with business objectives.
• Lead technology investment planning, ROI analysis, and resource allocation.
• Track and optimize cloud and SaaS consumption to control costs.

  · IT Strategy & Innovation

• Drive technology innovation to support business growth, digital transformation, and competitive differentiation.
• Identify emerging technologies and trends, assessing their potential impact and value to the business.
• Foster a culture of continuous improvement and technical excellence.

  · Data Management & Analytics

• Oversee data governance, quality, and lifecycle management across the organization.
• Support the development and execution of data analytics and business intelligence strategies.
• Ensure compliance with data privacy regulations and best practices in data protection.

  · Business Continuity & Disaster Recovery

• Develop, implement, and test business continuity and disaster recovery plans for all critical systems.
• Ensure resilience and rapid recovery capabilities in the event of disruptions.
• Change Management & User Enablement
• Lead change management initiatives for technology adoption and process improvements.
• Oversee IT training, documentation, and user support to maximize technology value and user satisfaction.

  · IT Governance & Stakeholder Engagement

• Serve as the primary liaison between IT and business stakeholders, ensuring alignment and effective communication.
• Report on IT performance, risks, and opportunities to executive leadership and the board.

  · Key Technical Skills & Experience

• Extensive leadership experience with Microsoft Azure, Microsoft 365, and enterprise SaaS ecosystems.
• Deep knowledge of identity and access management (Azure AD, SSO/MFA), endpoint management (e.g., Intune), and modern collaboration platforms.
• Hands-on experience with cloud-native security, compliance automation, and enterprise GRC tools.
• Track record of managing hybrid and remote environments, including device and data security at scale.
• Familiarity with DevOps, Infrastructure as Code, and automation in cloud environments.
• Strong understanding of regulatory frameworks relevant to SaaS and international business (GDPR, ISO 27001, SOC 2).
• Experience in IT budgeting, vendor management, and technology investment planning.
• Relevant certifications (e.g., CISSP, CISM, Microsoft Certified: Azure Solutions Architect) are highly desirable.
• Excellent communication, leadership, and stakeholder engagement skills.

Qualifications

· Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Computer Science, Information Systems, Engineering, or related field.

· 10+ years of progressive IT leadership experience, ideally in a SaaS or enterprise software environment.

· Proven experience leading digital transformation and scaling IT operations in a mid-sized, global tech company.

· Excellent leadership, communication, and stakeholder management skills.

A great candidate will have:

Nice to have:

· Experience in the consumer goods or enterprise planning/trade management space.

· Familiarity with AI/ML, data governance, and modern software development methodologies.

· Strategic thinker with a hands-on approach and a passion for innovation.

What We Offer

• A challenging role in a fast-growing AI-driven revenue management company.
• A diverse and international team with strong ownership and a can-do mentality.
• Opportunities to contribute to the organization's growth and development.
• A cross-functional role spanning geographies and departments.
• Flexible working with hybrid and remote options.

Equal Opportunity Statement

If you have strengths to share, we’d love to hear from you. We value diverse backgrounds and experiences, so don’t hesitate to apply even if you don’t meet all criteria.

XTEL is an equal opportunity employer and values diversity at our company. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, sex, gender, gender expression, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status. We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform crucial job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment.