Technology Director

The Technology department is divided into four areas:

• IT, IT Systems and Networks
• Event IT Systems
• Multi-Media incl. broadcasting
• Boat System Technology

The department carries responsibility for the delivery and support of the technology systems within Race Headquarters and at Race Stopovers, including race systems, telecommunications, video productions and digital channels. It is also the backbone for all systems to enable remote working for staff and contractors pre- and during the Race.

The Technology Director will manage the Technology department and all technology topics related to the Race with the ambition of significantly growing the global audience and to ensure a seamless, on-time delivery of all IT and digital platforms to race teams, yachts, media and race organization. You will be leading the internal strategy development to decide on the post-race future in technology and IT systems for The Ocean Race.

Main KPIs

• Final planning and delivery: The Ocean Race 2022-23 starts on Jan 15, 2023. It is a complex sporting event requiring detailed planning and execution of all mission-critical projects on time for the immediate pre-race and the race period. All race communication to and from boats and to media is driven by technology.
• Reliability: Race organization and communication relies on technology and a stable and robust IT infrastructure within 99.9% availability of key services, including but not limited to Race Management Systems, Satellite Communications, Media Systems and Networking.
• IT infrastructure on time: All HQ and Stopover IT infrastructure must be ready and functioning to agreed timescales. You will lead the IT group within the department in supporting and developing further all critical systems for the delivery of the 2022-23 edition of TOR and the planning for the time thereafter.
• Budget: The Technology budget shall be strictly managed within the parameters set out for the projected budget.
• Team management: Manage the Technology team as a motivational leader, who will guide the team to meet the required deadlines leading by example. The interaction with other departments shall be professional and always service minded.
• Strategy development: develop and prepare for decision-making the strategic path into the future of the Race as international sport event high technology ambitions and a global digital footprint.

Essential day-to-day responsibilities

• Own and drive the overall technology roadmap for the company to facilitate the company goals within the projected budget.
• Provide direction on the in-house development for the next generation of telemetry, media and safety systems on board the boats.
• Contribute to the communications strategy and ensure support for the latest digital platforms.
• Always keep an eye out for new technological developments that can help all functional or cross-functional areas.
• Develop, implement and approve all technology infrastructure and systems required to run successfully racing and media coverage but also an HQ office environment.
• Provide technical leadership to the functional areas of the business - Race Management, Marketing and Communications (including TV broadcast) Commercial, Operations, Sustainability, and Finance.
• Design and implement DRP (Disaster Recovery Plan), high availability systems, live digital assets and best in class collaboration and productivity tools.
• Being the technical lead for all office infrastructure-related matters within the organization. This includes IT infrastructure, systems & communication networks at The Ocean Race Headquarters operating around the clock and at the highest standards.
• Set up new and improve existing IT workflows, policies and protocols
• Manage the system administration duties and hardware provisions to the organization. Laptop & mobile provisioning & management, software distribution, server provisioning
• To oversee the stopover systems and delivery planning
• Manage the development of multimedia system requirements
• Set up the long-term strategy for supplier relationships & contract management with the aim to achieve higher VIK potentials
• To oversee the team that runs the boat system development and implementation
• Provide a robust, best in class, high availability platform for the race management systems including a 24/7 support service during racing to ensure race operations.
• Implement and support all Yacht Communication systems, including weather, live links and media transfer systems and ensures the systems comply with the Notice of Race requirements of internet access and security for the competing teams.
• Design offshore/inshore tracking technologies and web/app platforms to ensure safety and ability to follow the race.
• Contribute to the regular Management Meetings in the company.
• Actively participate in the company's strategy process.