Datacom

Associate Director – Operating System, Governance

Datacom

full-time

Posted on:

Location Type: Hybrid

Location: Auckland • New Zealand

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Job Level

Senior

About the role

  • Reinforce Smartly’s operating system so it becomes the default and easiest way to get work done.
  • Design and run portfolio-level cadences that surface:
  • - stalled work,
  • - unresolved trade-offs,
  • - artificial dependencies,
  • - and decision bottlenecks.
  • Reduce decision latency by ensuring issues are framed clearly, owned by the right executive, and resolved decisively.
  • Maintain a clear, enterprise-level view of initiatives and outcomes across Smartly.
  • Lead programme managers as system integrators and decision facilitators, not delivery controllers.
  • Eliminate reporting, planning, and governance activity that creates noise rather than clarity.
  • Own Smartly’s company-wide risk, assurance, and compliance framework.
  • Ensure regulatory, security, operational, and delivery risks are:
  • - identified early,
  • - explicitly articulated,
  • - and managed as inputs to executive decision-making.
  • Lead business continuity planning and support ISO27001 and ISAE3402 certification, ensuring governance remains proportional, risk-based, and aligned to speed.
  • Own the mechanisms that ensure:
  • - exceptions are explicit and time-bound,
  • - stalled initiatives are visible,
  • - and work producing no signal is challenged.
  • Escalate systemic patterns of delay or avoidance directly to the CEO and executive team.

Requirements

  • 12+ years’ experience at senior executive or enterprise leadership level in a SaaS or technology-enabled organisation.
  • Proven credibility operating as a peer to Product, Technology, GTM, and Operations leaders.
  • A track record of designing or stabilising operating systems that allow organisations to move fast without breaking.
  • Deep judgement in balancing speed, risk, and organisational capacity.
  • Experience owning or partnering on enterprise risk, assurance, and compliance in a growth environment.
  • A calm, credible executive presence, particularly under pressure.

Applicant Tracking System Keywords

Tip: use these terms in your resume and cover letter to boost ATS matches.

Hard skills
enterprise risk managementcompliance frameworkbusiness continuity planningoperating systems designdecision-making facilitationportfolio managementISO27001 certificationISAE3402 certificationrisk assessmentstakeholder management
Soft skills
executive presencecalm under pressureleadershipdecision-makingcommunicationproblem-solvingcollaborationstrategic thinkingjudgmentinfluence
Certifications
ISO27001ISAE3402