Future Leadership supported a well-respected Independent School in Melbourne to appoint a visionary Chief Information Officer, tasked with driving technological advancement and transforming the school’s digital services
The Brief
Continuing the strong partnership with Future Leadership, a leading independent school sought to appoint an experienced technology leader to the position of Chief Information Officer. Leading a significant team and overseeing a large portfolio, the position is a critical senior leadership role that plays a vital part in shaping the school’s future technology direction.
As a key advisor and partner to the Principal, Executive, and School Council, the CIO is responsible for driving the development of a reliable, integrated, and forward-thinking information management and technology framework. The scope of the position includes IT operations, technology strategy and innovation, as well as the management of associated governance, compliance, and risk.
The Process
A briefing conducted with the school’s Principal, Director of People and Culture, and CFO provided clear and detailed information on the position’s parameters, including the desired background and experience of the ideal candidate. Having appointed several current executives, the Future Leadership team already possessed a strong understanding of the school’s culture and operating environment. The search strategy confirmed that the ideal candidate would be a strong technology leader with an investigative mindset and strategic vision to guide the school’s future technology direction. Key criteria assessed throughout the process included the candidate’s prior experience managing complex environments with multiple systems, ability to lead large teams, and capacity to review existing systems to ensure maximum value. To build the candidate pool, Future Leadership drew on curated IT talent pools and directly targeted qualified individuals who matched the brief, supplemented by an online advertising campaign. The thorough process included two rounds of panel interviews, with all logistics and documentation managed by Future Leadership.
The Outcome
The successful candidate was confirmed and commenced in July 2024. They were sourced from the talent pool after being recommended to engage with Future Leadership to support their career development. With over 25 years of experience in the technology sector, the candidate demonstrated expertise in managing complex environments, an enterprise mindset, and the ability to build customer-focused teams.
In their role as Chief Information Officer, they will lead the development and implementation of the organisation’s technology strategy, ensuring alignment with overall business goals. They will oversee the management of critical IT infrastructure, drive digital transformation initiatives, and foster innovation to enhance operational efficiency and customer experience. Their extensive background equips them to navigate rapidly evolving technological landscapes and position the organisation at the forefront of industry advancements.
