Global Head of Digital

**GLOBAL HEAD OF DIGITAL**

Populous is a highly unique practice with a focus on the design of experiences. We design the places where people love to be together. This is our singular purpose.

We use the power of design to transform neighborhoods, revitalize cities, build relationships and connect people to being part of something bigger. Populous is where architects and designers of all kinds create moments bigger than ourselves. We’re a global specialized design firm with local roots that span the globe. Populous offers the best of both worlds: the resources and impact of the design giants and the tightly-knit atmosphere and growth opportunities of smaller firms.

**THE ROLE**

We are seeking a leader for a newly established position within the practice - the **Global Head of Digital**.
Populous’ Global Head of Digital will serve as a company executive responsible for managing and driving value from design and performance technologies from within the organization. Populous’ Global Head of Digital will need to understand broad technology trends and have the business knowledge necessary to align technology-related decisions with the organization’s results and objectives. The Global Head of Digital shall focus on the technological vision and strategy critical to developing and enhancing Populous’ services or products. This role will cover the following areas across Populous’ service offerings:

- Technological Vision & Strategy
- Technological Innovation
- Software Use, Performance & Development

**KEY RESPONSIBILITIES**

Populous’ Global Head of Digital will need to have their finger on the “technological pulse” of the design and construction industry, identify future trends and be aware of, and proactively react to, new trends and technologies that could disrupt the business. The Global Head of Digital responsibilities shall fall into the following categories:

- Technology Leadership
- Technology Governance
- Innovation and R&D
- Product (& Service) Development

Populous’ Global Head of Digital will report to Populous’ Global Officers group (GO), which is comprised of the Chair of the Global Holdings Board of Directors, the Managing Directors of the three regions, the Chief Legal Officer, and the Chief Financial Officer. The Global Head of Digital will also interact with the Directors of the Global Holdings Board, sharing strategic vision and seeking approval for various initiatives that they intend to lead. The Global Head of Digital will also engage with each of Populous’ regional IT leads who are responsible for IT infrastructure, hardware, security, operational efficiency (relative to network speed and security) within their respective regions.

**ASPIRATIONS FOR THE POSITION**

Populous’ Global Head of Digital will be successful if they excel in the following areas:

- Possess or generate the ability to understand the future requirements of the company and design a roadmap for what that looks like and how it is implemented;
- Bring an intimate understanding of the skills we have and the skills we need in the areas of technology, digital and data. More importantly, how are those skills arranged within the business to achieve two primary objectives:

- Create a blueprint for how the firm is structured (internally) to deliver digital transformation
- How we outwardly position those capabilities for maximum commercial benefit to the business
- Design and propose to GO on suitable strategies, innovative digital tools and solutions for defined desired outcomes or assessed existing gaps;
- Plan, drive and support the appropriate adoption and periodic review of digital tools and solutions by business partnering all functional units within the organization;
- Drive project planning and delivery of digital projects;
- Champion agile ways of working by empowering and supporting others to select appropriate agile practices to drive rapid development and testing to improve project delivery;
- Be the custodian of Populous’ digital design experience, ensuring all agile teams are working to deliver to our agreed vision for our project teams and clients;
- Primary interface between the GO and the three regions to ensure we are making best use of the available Populous technological infrastructure, and that the needs of Populous’ global network amongst all regions and offices are represented at that level;
- Serve as the key manager of all capabilities in this area and represent them across the business -analytics including data, data visualization and data measurement;
- Serve as the custodian and executive representative of GO across Populous’ digital design space and foster how they are brought to life within and for Populous;
- Form a digital design community that leads best thinking and best practice in the way we collaborate internally, with our consultants and ultimately deliver to our clients;
- Manage, in collaboration with APAC, EMEA and Americas IT leads, continual improveme