You’re a seasoned digital and technology leader who thrives at the intersection of innovation, scale and customer experience. You’ve led digital, technology or product teams through complex transformation in high-volume environments where reliability and performance matter. You modernise platforms, turn insight into impact and build high-performing teams that deliver.

This role represents the natural next step for an IT Director or CIO in a mid-sized organisation looking to operate at enterprise scale, as well as for senior technology leaders in large corporates who bring multi-domain experience and are seeking broader strategic impact and a clear pathway toward regional or global executive leadership.

Building on that foundation, you’re now ready for a platform that matches your ambition, one where you can shape enterprise strategy and steer the next wave of digital growth for one of the world’s most recognisable brands. This is a role that gives you the canvas, scale and executive exposure to make a meaningful and lasting impact.

In this role, you will operate at the centre of the region’s digital agenda. Reporting to the Chief Digital and Technology Officer (Asia Pacific), you’ll play a pivotal part in shaping the digital and technology landscape across Australia and New Zealand. As 2IC, you’ll sit on the Extended Leadership Team (XLT) with strong succession visibility and the opportunity to broaden your leadership influence across the region.

What You’ll Do

Your remit will span customer channels, restaurant operations, workforce technology, data, AI and enterprise platforms, connecting strategy, delivery and impact across the entire business.

Key accountabilities:

• Lead a team of approximately 30 across Digital Products, Restaurant Technology, Data, AI and Testing.
• Define and deliver enterprise-wide product and technology strategy across multiple domains.
• Oversee major programs including replacement of core digital platforms (App, Web, Kiosk, Delivery) and rollout of next-generation POS and kitchen systems.
• Embed AI, automation and data intelligence to elevate customer, restaurant and workforce experiences.
• Partner with franchisees, operations, marketing and global stakeholders to translate technology investment into business solutions
• Lift product maturity and build capability across all product and delivery domains.

What You’ll Bring

• 10+ years in senior digital, technology or product leadership roles.
• Experience in large-scale, multi-site or consumer environments.
• Breadth of experience across multiple technical domains, such as software engineering, enterprise architecture, technology consulting, large-scale program delivery or change and transition management.
• Demonstrated ability to lead large teams, lift capability and embed governance.
• Executive presence, commercial acumen and the influence to engage C-suite, franchise and global stakeholders.

About KFC

KFC is one of the world’s most iconic brands, founded in 1930 and now operating more than 28,000 restaurants across 145 countries. Built on Colonel Sanders’ original recipe of 11 herbs and spices, KFC has grown into a global leader in customer experience, digital innovation and trusted, freshly prepared food. In Australia and New Zealand, KFC operates over 900 restaurants, serves more than two million guests every week and employs more than 60,000 people. With a predominantly franchised network and strong market performance, the South Pacific region represents one of the brand’s most significant growth markets, underpinned by distinctive flavours, brand trust and an ongoing commitment to quality, convenience and customer loyalty.

Next Steps

For a confidential discussion, contact Steven Fulop at xceltium on 0418 994 446 or [email protected]

We will be on leave returning Wednesday 7th January. We will be taking applications until mid-January with first round interviews commencing late January.

Please note: any direct or third-party applications will be filtered back to xceltium as the retained search partner on this engagement.