Job description:

Role Overview
Own the relationship. Shape demand. Deliver value. This high-visibility leadership role calls for a bilingual strategist who can translate complex technical constraints into clear, business-oriented dialogue. The APAC Head of IT Business Engagement serves as the single point of contact (SPOC) and strategic bridge between agencies, business units, and functional stakeholders across the region.

You will own the end-to-end business engagement lifecycle, driving proactive discussions from initial demand intake through solution delivery and post-implementation optimization. With a strong customer-first mindset, you will ensure that business needs are clearly defined, aligned to strategic priorities, and translated into actionable technology initiatives.

As an outcome-driven change agent, you will challenge legacy thinking, champion continuous improvement, and rigorously validate value realization post-implementation. You will balance speed-to-market with disciplined adherence to global and regional governance frameworks, ensuring scalable and sustainable delivery.

In this role, you will also act as the critical bridge between business stakeholders and IT delivery teams. You will work closely with Business Process Owners (BPOs) to ensure process consistency, while partnering with IT Solution Delivery and PMO teams to drive alignment, maintain transparent governance, and ensure projects are delivered on time and in full.

Key Responsibilities
Business Engagement

Serve as the single, accountable face of IT for assigned business and functional stakeholders, owning relationships across the full lifecycle from demand intake to delivery and post-go-live.
Partner with stakeholders to co-develop robust, data-driven business cases with clearly defined value propositions and measurable ROI prior to project initiation.
Facilitate structured collaboration with Business Process Owners (BPOs) to ensure alignment with enterprise process standards and governance frameworks.
Maintain proactive and continuous stakeholder engagement throughout the build phase and beyond, ensuring sustained value realization.
Champion user needs by ensuring all solutions deliver strong business value and enhance both internal and external customer experience.
Conduct high-level feasibility assessments during early-stage discussions, advising on suitable technology applications for business challenges.
Translate complex technical constraints into clear, business-friendly language, shaping initial demand into structured and actionable initiatives.

Business IT Tactical Awareness

Evaluate when to leverage existing enterprise platforms versus developing customized or localized solutions based on business needs.
Balance global standardization and cost efficiency with the flexibility to support unique or market-specific requirements.
Manage trade-offs between governance compliance and speed-to-market for time-sensitive initiatives.
Challenge legacy approaches by introducing modern, scalable, and innovative digital solutions.

Internal IT collaboration

Act as the key bridge between business stakeholders and technical teams, ensuring alignment and shared understanding throughout the solution lifecycle.
Work closely with IT Solution Delivery teams to translate business requirements into clear and actionable technical specifications.
Partner with the IT PMO to ensure adherence to governance frameworks and achievement of on-time, in-full (OTIF) delivery.
Enforce global and regional demand intake processes, preventing unapproved or shadow IT initiatives.
Lead post-implementation reviews to validate value realization and ROI against approved business cases.
Drive continuous improvement by identifying optimization opportunities and enhancing business processes post-deployment.

What We're Looking for

Degree in Information Technology, Computer Science, or a related field.
At least 15+ years of progressive experience in IT leadership, business engagement, or program delivery roles, within large, matrixed, and multinational organizations.
Extensive experience leading IT business engagement across backroom functions and business units.
Proven ability to lead regional or multi-country teams across APAC, with strong cultural awareness, stakeholder management skills, and understanding of local regulatory and operational environments.
Demonstrated track record in delivering large-scale or regional IT initiatives within scope, timeline, and budget.
Strong knowledge of emerging technologies including artificial intelligence, machine learning, IoT, process automation, and cloud platforms, with the ability to assess their relevance to functional business value.
Hands-on experience with various software development methodologies including Agile, Waterfall, and DevOps, with the ability to tailor delivery models to business context.
Deep understanding of business-IT alignment, with the ability to translate business strategies and operational needs into actionable IT roadmaps and initiatives.
Demonstrated capability to lead organizational change management, support user adoption, and drive functional excellence through digital innovation.
Strong financial acumen, including experience managing IT budgets, developing business cases, overseeing vendor contracts, and demonstrating return on investment.
Excellent negotiation and influencing skills, with the ability to engage senior stakeholders and drive alignment on complex initiatives.
Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to bridge technical and business language, and foster productive, trust-based relationships with internal stakeholders and cross-functional teams.
Professional certifications in project or program management (e.g., PMP, PRINCE2, Scrum Master) are highly desirable, with a strong track record in scoping, planning, and risk-managed execution.
Broad knowledge of enterprise systems, IT governance, service management (ITIL), data privacy, and compliance frameworks.
Prior experience in the shipping, logistics, or supply chain industry is an advantage.

Why Join CMA CGM

Be part of a global leader in shipping and logistics with ambitious growth plans.
Work in a collaborative, inclusive, and supportive environment.
Competitive salary and comprehensive benefits package.
Opportunities for professional growth and regional exposure.

**This role is open for local employment only

**Kindly note that only short-listed applicants will be contacted.

** By applying for this role, you hereby consent to the CMA CGM Group collecting, processing and using any personal information you submit, for the following purposes:

(i) To process the application for the role being applied for;
(ii) To process the application for other open positions within the CMA CGM Group which may be suitable to you;
(iii) To conduct necessary reference checks; and(iv) Any other purpose related to one or more of the above.

You further consent to the CMA CGM Group retaining such personal information for a period of two years following your submission thereof, so that we may consider you for other open positions within the CMA CGM Group which may be suitable to you in the event that you are not selected for this role.

NOTICE TO THIRD PARTY AGENCIES: Please note that CMA CGM Group does not accept unsolicited resumes from recruiters or employment agencies. In the absence of a signed Recruitment Fee Agreement, CMA CGM Group will not consider or agree to payment of any referral compensation or recruiter fee. In the event a recruiter or agency submits a resume or candidate without a previously signed agreement, CMA CGM Group explicitly reserves the right to pursue and hire those candidate(s) without any financial obligation to the recruiter or agency. Any unsolicited resumes, including those submitted to hiring managers, are deemed to be the property of CMA CGM Group.