VP IT Operations

JBT Marel•Chicago, IL

About The Position

This role is a key execution partner to the CIO, responsible for operationalizing the IT strategy and ensuring the smooth functioning of the IT organization. The VP IT Operations will lead four key functions: PMO, IT Operations, IT Support, and Business Application Management. A major focus will be on developing and implementing an IT operating model, leveraging AI and cloud platforms to enhance efficiency and effectiveness. This includes standardizing reporting for clear visibility into status, risk, and budget, empowering the IT organization to resolve blockers, and embedding controls and compliance into all processes. The role also involves managing vendor relationships, maintaining financial discipline, and developing the IT leadership team.

Requirements

Experience in leading and developing directors of IT Operations, IT Support, Business Application Management, and PMO.
Experience in developing and implementing IT operating models.
Experience with AI adoption in IT functions.
Experience in standardizing operational, portfolio, and project reporting.
Experience in driving IT General Controls (ITGC) remediation.
Experience in embedding controls and compliance into delivery and operations.
Experience in managing vendor and MSP relationships.
Experience in maintaining budget transparency and partnering with Finance.
Experience acting as an execution partner to senior leadership (CIO/CFO).

Nice To Haves

Leveraging AI and re-platforming to modern cloud platforms.
Addressing the challenge of balancing Run and Change.
Partnering with HR on works council process and organizational change communication.

Responsibilities

Hold the four functions (PMO, IT Operations, IT Support, Business Application Management) accountable to a single delivery cadence, with clear, measurable commitments and consequences for slippage.
Play a key role in the further development and implementation of the IT operating model, ensure smooth role out towards the IT organization, leveraging AI and our re-platforming to modern cloud platforms.
Standardize operational, portfolio and project reporting so that status, risk, and budget burn are visible at all times — addressing the challenge of balancing Run and Change, where actuals in one area mask overruns elsewhere.
Empower the IT organization to resolve cross-functional execution blockers directly.
Utilize the full potential of AI. Make IT more effective and efficient by identifying where AI can remove friction from project delivery, support, and operations work, and driving practical adoption within the four functions.
Drive IT General Controls (ITGC) remediation to closure and sustained operation, in coordination with the GRC/SOX team and external auditors (PwC).
Embed controls and compliance as standard design requirements in delivery and operations, not as a post-hoc check.
Lead and develop the directors of IT Operations, IT Support, Business Application Management and PMO; work with the directors on improving the IT organization towards a smooth execution engine.
Partner with HR on the works council process and broader organizational change communication for the area under this role.
Oversee delivery-side vendor and MSP relationships, ensuring commodity work is shifted to managed service providers where appropriate, and that vendor performance is actively managed.
Maintain budget transparency across projects and operations, partnering with Finance to eliminate cross-area surprises.
Act as the CIO’s primary execution partner: the CIO sets direction and represents IT externally; this role makes it happen operationally.
Provide the CIO and CFO with a reliable, single source of truth on delivery status, risk, and controls posture.