Chief Information Officer

About Us:

Blue Diamond International (BDI) is a leading group of brands known for our commitment to exceptional service and luxury accommodations and experiences. We operate a diverse portfolio comprised of Blue Diamond Hotels and Resorts, GoNexus Group, Blue Diamond Jets and Prime Travelers Club.
Blue Diamond International is made up of passionate people making vacation dreams come true – from the moment guests step through the lobby doors to when they return home. The success of BDI can be attributed to its entrepreneurial, passionate, innovative, and customer-centric culture.

About the role:

Blue Diamond International is seeking to recruit a Chief Information Officer (CIO) to lead the global information technology groups and serve as the senior-most technology officer for the company. Reporting to the CEO, the CIO will be a key member of the Executive Committee (EC) at BDI and be responsible for leading world-class integrated, data driven, digitally enabled, cost-effective and secure information technology and digital operations while ensuring that BDI builds a highly motivated and performant CIO organization and has the technology and digital strategies, policies, practices and tools to effectively support the ambitious business strategy.

The successful candidate is a world-class technology and digital business leader with all-inclusive hospitality experience and a strong commercial acumen. They have demonstrated understanding of consumer and digital technology trends, and a track record of building out and driving high-performance technology and digital organizations and capabilities within fast-paced, global all-inclusive environments.

As a direct report to the CEO and an influential EC member, they will exhibit considerable executive presence and senior level influencing skills, possessing a track record of driving an ambitious yet realistic digital and technology innovation agenda. The CIO will be a well-respected technology visionary with the ability to create a long-term view of technology’s impact on the business and translate that vision into workable global technology and digital strategies and initiatives.
Overall, the successful candidate will be a proven leader in leveraging technology to improve business processes and business performance, create amazing customer and user experiences, and transform BDI into a genuine insight-driven organization. They will demonstrate an ability to build effective internal and external relationships and be able to engage with individuals at all levels of the organization.

This position is a permanent full-time position will ideally be located in Toronto, ON, Canada

What You’ll Do:

• Re-build the IT and Digital groups and capabilities, including many of the core back and front end systems;
• Attract top talent aligned with BDI’s vision and culture.
• As a key EC member, broker the relationship between the Business and IT/Digital, and become a real partner to the Business in both shaping, communicating, and executing its business strategy.
• Support the rapid growth and scaling of the company with a hands-on, entrepreneurial, ahead-of-the-business mentality.
• Act as a positive change agent, respecting the vision and culture of BDI while constructively challenging the status quo within and outside the CIO’s direct areas of accountability.
• Be accountable for the definition of the IT and digital asset strategy and how it translates into business unit operational plans.
• Provide leadership and investment recommendations for the adoption of new technologies, tools and methods to data and business intelligence.
• Responsible for the preparation and management of resources and budgets for this function.
• Promote new technology and digital adoption through training and awareness programs and champion data improvement initiatives in conjunction with the business.
• Own all essential elements of the customers’ digital journey and experience.
• Demonstrate a customer-first and white glove service mentality.
• Provide strategy, leadership and direction on data technology, data management and analysis that support both customer engagement and business insights, process, and innovation improvements across the company
• Collaborate with BDI distribution partners and other key industry and technology partners on data access, APIs, and technology road mapping.
• More generally, cultivate and form strategic relationships with said partners, and create an innovative technology and digital ecosystem.

What You’ll Need:

• 15+ years of progressive technology leadership experience and demonstrated leadership in a dynamic, growth-oriented company and/or relevant technical education.
• Direct experience building and transforming the IT function at an all-inclusive fast-growing company.
• Experience improving business operations and customer experience through technology and digital is a must.
• Track record of strategic partnership with, and contribution to the business, within and outside their own areas of accountability.
• Proven technology and digital organization leadership, characterized by high performance, high engagement, and efficient operations.
• Strong record of attracting and developing technology talent, to ensure proper leadership is in place to drive innovation and transformational change.
• Strong communication and broad influence skills. Ability to develop strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
• High adaptability: given the aggressive growth aspirations of the organization, the CIO will effectively work in a fast-paced, constantly evolving environment. They will need to thrive in an ambiguous environment, with business model agility and frequent changes.
• A hands-on leader who is pragmatic, down-to-earth, with a can-do approach, not deterred by the prospect of having to role the sleeves as the IT groups are being built.

In terms of the leadership competencies required for the position, we would highlight the following:

Setting Strategy

• The ability to create and articulate an inspiring vision for the organization, not only for the areas they are directly responsible for, but the enterprise as a whole.
• The inclination to seek and analyze data from a variety of sources to support decisions and to align others with the organization's overall strategy.
• An entrepreneurial and creative approach to developing new, innovative ideas that will stretch the organization and push the boundaries within the industry.
• The ability to effectively balance the desire/need for broad change with an understanding of how much change the organization is capable of handling, to create realistic goals and implementation plans that are achievable and successful.

Executing for Results

• The ability to set clear and challenging goals while committing the organization to improved performance; tenacious and accountable in driving results.
• Comfortable with ambiguity and uncertainty; the ability to adapt nimbly and lead others through complex situations.
• A risk-taker who seeks data and input from others to foresee possible threats or unintended circumstances from decisions; someone who takes smart risks.
• A leader who is viewed by others as having a high degree of integrity and forethought in their approach to making decisions; the ability to act in a transparent and consistent manner while always taking into account what is best for the organization.

Leading Teams

• The ability to attract and recruit top talent, motivate the team, delegate effectively, celebrate diversity within the team, and manage performance; widely viewed as a strong developer of others.
• The ability to persevere in the face of challenges, and exhibit a steadfast resolve and relentless commitment to higher standards, which commands respect from followers.
• A leader who is self-reflective and aware of their own limitations; leads by example and drives the organization's performance with an attitude of continuous improvement by being open to feedback and self-improvement.

Relationships and Influence

• Naturally connects and builds strong relationships with others, demonstrating strong emotional intelligence and an ability to communicate clearly and persuasively.
• An ability to inspire trust and followership in others through compelling influence, powerful charisma, humble confidence, passion in their beliefs, and active drive.
• Encourages others to share the spotlight and visibly celebrates and supports the success of the team.
• Creates a sense of purpose/meaning for the team that generates followership beyond their own personality and engages others to the greater purpose for the organization as a whole.

Required Languages: English and Spanish

What We Offer:
• Hybrid Work Schedules (3 in-office days)
• Travel perks
• Pension Matching Program
• Growth opportunities
• Free Parking
• Open concept, collaborative workspace
• Fresh Café with delicious snacks and meals at a subsidized price
• Salary: starting at $150/hour

To express your interest in this exciting leadership opportunity, please submit your cover letter and resume.

We thank all who apply however only those who meet the qualifications will be contacted.
We will accommodate all applicants throughout the hiring process. If you are an individual who requires accommodation to apply to this position, please email [email protected]