Job Description
The GCS Head of Portfolio (Consulting and IFS Success) is a leader in the Services Product Portfolio offering function and a key driver of IFS’ continued growth. The GCS Head of Portfolio (Consulting and IFS Success) drives the services growth of IFS through combining domain expertise, commercial acumen and leadership, in the definition and strategy of the IFS Success and Consulting services offering to drive customer value.
IFS Success is our premium lifecycle services that is designed to help customers realise measurable value through a partnership type engagement using a flexible and comprehensive set of standard services that promotes the optimum use of our software products.
The Consulting Services portfolio includes, but is not limited to, the following services products: Implementations, Upgrades, Day2day. It includes services such as performance testing and other elements which are part of the Portfolio.
GCS Head of Portfolio (Consulting and IFS Success) has a clearly defined section of our Services Portfolio under their direction and are tasked with the overall vision and strategy of the Service Roadmap, definition, packaging and effective release of the Services. GCS Head of Portfolio (Consulting and IFS Success) proactively drives the transition to a primarily recurring revenue model in Services and is expected to demonstrate hands-on leadership in sales cases as well as being a key interface to the global delivery organization.
The GCS Head of Portfolio (Consulting and IFS Success) is part of the Sales and Commercial Senior Leadership Team and brings an executive presence to both customer and internal engagements.
As a high-growth dynamic organization, IFS requires its leaders to exhibit a blend of strategic thinking and hands-on practical application of their knowledge and experience, as well as live IFS’ values. Extensive exposure within the enterprise software industry is a must, as is the experience of handling a range of customer facing and people management roles and the ability to network and collaborate across functions. The role will require situational leadership, being as comfortable exhibiting direct assertive management, as much as managing through influence and thought leadership.
Qualifications
Essential Duties and Accountabilities
The GCS Head of Portfolio (Consulting and IFS Success) will take full responsibility for their section of the Portfolio, which requires:
1. Defining the strategy of the Success and Consulting Offerings and being accountable for its implementation and results
2. Engaging and influencing senior leadership and providing guidance to the team members and stakeholders involved in the Service Offering
3. Bring to market world-class offerings that unlock clear, specific and measurable value for our Customers.
4. Proactively publishing and maintaining a strategy, service roadmap and release plan (with clear timelines and deliverables as per the Portfolio release cadence)
5. Adherence with the Service Introduction Process
6. Approval of the product and services business cases and ensuring appropriate prioritization.
7. Ensure that all Product items are fully documented as per global standards.
8. Collaborate with other Portfolio Heads and the wider GCS org to ensure that all offerings are cohesive, aligned and fulfil the lifecycle strategy that we are executing.
9. Facilitate simple and clear content to effectively enable the sales and delivery orgs including marketing collateral.
10. Liaise closely with the GCS Delivery organisation, ensuring they are involved across the lifecycle of the service development and release.
11. Liaises directly with IFS R&D, Sales, marketing, commercial and other functions within IFS as required.
12. Must solicit and incorporate feedback from all key internal and external stakeholders.
Qualifications
The GCS Head of Portfolio (Consulting and IFS Success) is an experienced leader, deep expert in their assigned field operating at a leadership level within a customer value generating role.
They must be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding in the following areas:
13. A proven strategic leader and influencer
14. Accomplished at managing executive and senior relationships.
15. Hands-on commercial decision making in an enterprise application environment.
16. Deep commercial awareness and respect for financial drivers
17. Capable operator in both sales and delivery contexts, able to bridge the gap between services delivery and license sales.
18. Able to establish and coordinate multi-disciplinary teams with colleagues from across the business
19. Attention to detail and a structured, meticulous approach for managing timelines and expectations
20. Able to take control of challenging situations and execute in support of respective team members
21. Calm under pressure, a problem solver who can positively manage conflict between individuals and departments and prioritize accordingly
22. Exceptional communication skills (written and verbal) as well as advanced presentation skills
23. Commercially savvy, identifies ROI for the Customer using business value engineering techniques
24. Strong team player and flexible in working time (to support different time zones when required)
25. Performance management and career development of their Portfolio Managers
26. Broad understanding of Success and Experience working on Consulting with IFS, either in a Sales, Presales or Delivery role
27. Having customer facing experience in complex business cases.
28. Live the IFS Values
29. Being aware of the business context and the Customer value through the lifecycle
Required Education & Experience
30. 15+ years practical and management experience in the enterprise software industry, ideally in a services context – leading candidates will demonstrate a wide range of experience within a software/ services setting.
31. Direct experience in the applicable Portfolio area
32. Relevant customer facing and commercial experience in the enterprise software industry
33. Experience “solutioning” services for customers
34. University degree, or equivalent professional qualifications, in a field relevant for the functional area or responsibility.
35. Significant experience in solution delivery or services selling
36. Proven track record in supporting complex sales at C-level in a collaborative and impactful manner.
37. Able to work effectively in a matrix environment.
38. Business level English: Fluent
39. Local language: Fluent, Business Level
40. Must be able to demonstrate an understanding of key industry trends in their chosen field
41. Industry qualifications