IT Director (CIO)

Position: Chief Information Officer (CIO) Reports to: Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Location: Kazakhstan, with business travel to production sites and regional offices Level: C-Level

About the Company: A leading international mining company focused on growth through the implementation of advanced technologies, increased operational efficiency, and sustainable development. The company actively invests in digital transformation, modernization of production assets, and development of intelligent mining solutions.

Role Objective: To ensure the Group’s technological leadership by strategically managing digital initiatives, building a scalable and resilient IT architecture, and implementing an integrated digital transformation focused on productivity, safety, and innovation.

Key Areas of Responsibility:
1. Strategy and Architecture
 Develop and implement a unified digital transformation strategy across the Group.
 Align IT strategy with business goals, including growth, expansion, and profitability plans.
 Develop a sustainable IT architecture emphasizing scalability, reliability, and integration.
2. IT Function Management (83+ FTEs)
 Lead the IT department consisting of 45+ key IT roles, including infrastructure, development, cybersecurity, analytics, and project management.
 Manage key IT sub-functions:
o Infrastructure and virtualization
o Enterprise systems (ERP, MES, SCADA, etc.)
o Software development and DevOps
o Information security
o User support and service desk
o IT project and business analytics management
 Ensure effective collaboration between IT and production units.
3. Innovation and Smart Mining
 Implement the Smart Mining concept:
o IoT sensors and edge computing
o Predictive Maintenance
o Digital twins of production assets
o Machine learning models and Big Data
 Pilot and scale IT innovations across production.
4. Cybersecurity
 Protect critical infrastructure and data.
 Lead the Information Security department and build a mature cybersecurity framework.
 Ensure compliance with international standards (ISO, NIST, etc.).
5. Project and Change Management
 Ensure timely and budget-compliant delivery of IT projects.
 Lead change management initiatives: foster a digital culture, training, and employee engagement.

Qualifications:
 Higher education in IT or engineering.
 MBA or certifications in IT management are an advantage.
 10+ years in IT, with at least 5 years in a leadership role within a large corporate group.
 Experience in mining, heavy industry, or energy sectors is mandatory.
 Proven track record of digital transformation in industrial environments.
 ERP systems: SAP, Oracle (finance, logistics, production).
 SCADA, MES, LIMS, and other production systems.
 Experience with cloud technologies and hybrid infrastructure.
 Knowledge of cybersecurity and industrial software protection.
 Familiarity with DevOps, Agile, ITIL, TOGAF methodologies.
 Strategic and systems thinking.
 Strong leadership and team-inspiration skills.
 Excellent communication and adaptability.
 Resilience under uncertainty and crisis management experience.
 Fluent in Russian and English.

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs):
 Percentage of digitalization of core business processes.
 Number of IT projects delivered on time and on budget.
 Average response time to incidents and user requests.
 Internal user satisfaction index.
 Reduction in cybersecurity risks and incidents.
 Cost reduction in IT infrastructure maintenance.

Organizational Role:
 Reports directly to the CEO.
 Provides strategic leadership to the IT department (83 employees including analysts, architects, engineers, cybersecurity specialists, and project managers).
 Collaborates with business units, production, procurement, security, finance, and internal audit.