James Knapp

Experience

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  IBM

  Jan 1999 - Jan 2002

  Server and Desktop Engineer

  Sydney Olympics desktop support and server support

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  Silverstring

  Jan 2002 - Jan 2004

  TSM Implementation and Pre-Sales

  Design, implementation and pre-sales consulting for IBM TSM and SAN solutions

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  Tectrade

  Jan 2004 - Jan 2006

  Solutions Design and Pre Sales Consultant

  Development of professional services and solutions proposalsDesign, implementationand pre-sales consulting on IBM TSM and SAN solutions

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  Datastor NZ Ltd

  Jan 2006 - Jul 2010

  Pre-Sales and Professional Services Consultant

  Storage and virtualisation product technical portfolio managementProfessional services scoping and proposalPre-sales consulting and solutions definition for storage, virtualisation, de-duplication, WAN optimisation and server solutions

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  ViFX

  Aug 2010 - Sept 2014

  Primary role responsibilities were overall leadership of the Technical Pre-Sales and Solution Architecture function within ViFX group; direct Technical Pre-Sales and Solution Architecture; development and articulation of the ViFX products and Services; Technical Consulting DeliveryAdditional responsibilities were leading, coordinating and delivering companywide, national pre-sales activities sufficient to generate the overall revenue target for ViFX; individual presales activities sufficient to contribute strongly to the overall target.• SOW & Proposal Construction & Q/A• Solution Quality Assurance• The identification and productisation of ViFX offerings to market• Development and promulgation of standard offerings, and deliverables• The development and operations of the ViFX Design Council• Understanding and implementing Vendor supplied Intellectual Property• Working with and enabling the Sales Team to execute sales and achieve target• Working with the ViFX marketing function to develop internal and external sales material• Customer Technology Presentations• Technical Consulting Services (i.e. self-delivered direct consulting services) Show less

  • Chief Solutions Architect

    Jun 2013 - Sept 2014

  • Enterprise Architect and Virtualisation Practice Lead

    Aug 2011 - May 2013

  • Solution Architect and Pre-sales Consultant

    Aug 2010 - Jul 2011
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  ViFX | Infrastructure & cloud transformation

  Oct 2014 - Oct 2016

  CTO & GM Cloud Services

  In this senior role I delivered world-class Cloud, infrastructure, business intelligence, and other essential services to a client base. I established the company as NZ Cloud experts including the conceptualisation and creation of a Cloud comparison website for the organisation. Arranging budget and setting up a Cloud Services business unit, I signed new business such as Otago Polytechnic, Royal NZ Plunket Society, and Australian Catholic University.I executed technical direction of senior management, won/retained full involvement in the efficient delivery of long-term contracts, and provided thought leadership as an industry analyst. With 44% of blog page traffic from own posts, I kept abreast of new technologies. My responsibilities included employing a strategic focus to overcome issues, devise service delivery plans, streamline processes, and standardise activities for high quality project plans. Show less

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  Finastra

  Nov 2016 - Aug 2024

  In this role I have enabled a range of financial products as managed Cloud services within the Financial Services industry. Leading and coordinating the Solution Architecture team, I built Cloud environments supporting US$400M+ Cloud revenue for managed financial services products using motivated resources and custom-built delivery frameworks. I manage the Transformation program and team, improving technology resilience, exiting datacentres, stabilising payment products, and removing tech debt with a 3-year US$23M budget.I took over and transformed an under-performing Disaster Recovery (DR) team, introduced new staffing and processes for 100+ managed services products to 2,000+ customers, expanded scope and responsibilities, and resolved FBA Audit failures. I lead Cloud Cost Optimisation tracking 5-year USD$150M Microsoft Azure commitment, with cost savings from anomaly detection, right-sizing and removing inefficiencies.I led all phases of E2E Product Lifecycle Management from conception to design, build and servicing for multiple product lines onto MS Azure, including developing then launching company’s first managed Cloud services into this platform. I defined and evangelised patterns for the standard adoption of technology (e.g. Cryptographic Key Management), operational processes (e.g. IT M&A) and financial cost models (e.g. Cost Intelligence System).I have recruited and empowered dynamic teams with diverse talent, instilling work practices, holding frequent scrums and 1-to-1s, supporting career growth and rewarding success. I have been recognised through receiving the company Triple Rs (Reflect Results Rewards) High Performance rating and 2022 Diamond Club award winner. Show less

  • Head of FFDC and Fusion Operate

    Aug 2023 - Aug 2024

  • Senior Director, Architecture & Practices

    Feb 2020 - Sept 2023

  • Senior Principal, Ecosystem Innovation

    Nov 2019 - Feb 2020

  • Chief Cloud Service Architect

    Oct 2018 - Nov 2019

  • Director of Product, Cloud Enablement

    Nov 2016 - Oct 2018
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  Nielsen

  Aug 2024 - now

  Vice President, Strategy and Architecture

  As the Vice President of Strategy & Architecture, I lead the team in Enterprise Information Technology that shapes the strategic direction for internal service delivery, ensuring alignment with business objectives. My role involves transforming service delivery through standardization and repeatability, developing architectures that span business, solutions, and technology.Key Responsibilities:Strategic Planning: Collaborate with cross-functional teams (Finance, Corporate Platforms, Technology, Product, Marketing) to develop robust business cases and strategic plans.Architecture Leadership: Develop and execute standardized architectural roadmaps that align with business objectives, fostering collaboration between architecture teams and stakeholders.Team Management: Establish and manage high-performing teams across multiple domains, including business and solution architectures, cloud technical architecture, and data architecture.Framework Development: Define and deliver processes and frameworks that drive standardization across architecture engagements and deliverables.Global Collaboration: Foster collaboration among teams across different geographical locations, ensuring effective communication and alignment.Performance Measurement: Measure performance against high-performing units, focusing on systems rationalization, cost model reductions, and efficiencies gained through automation and integration. Show less