Dara Keher
Lucan,Ireland
Summary
Accomplished professional with expertise in IT strategy, enterprise transformation, and cybersecurity governance. Demonstrates strategic leadership in aligning C-suite stakeholders, driving ERP/PSA modernisation, and scaling global capability centres. Proficient in multi-cloud infrastructure management, integration architecture, and AI governance. Adept at managing P&L budgets, vendor negotiations, and cost realisation to optimise operational efficiency. Committed to delivering innovative solutions that mitigate risks and enhance organisational resilience.
Overview
34
34
years of professional experience
Work history
Group IT Manager / Head of Business & Technology Services (BaTS)
VERSION 1
Dublin
2011.11 - 2026.07
- Instrumental in scaling and protecting one of Europe's fastest-growing IT consultancies as the business expanded from 250 employees in 2011 to over 3,500 across 13 countries. Built and grew the internal Business & Technology Services (BaTS) organisation from its infancy into a multi-disciplinary function encompassing Support Services, Business Systems, Data & Analytics, Systems Integration, Cybersecurity, and AI Enablement.
- Key Achievements & Responsibilities:
- Organisation Building & Leadership: Established and matured the BaTS operating model, creating governance structures and leadership teams across all internal technology functions to deliver operational stability and continuous business improvement.
- Enterprise Systems Transformation: Led the multi-year transformation programme replacing legacy 20-year-old internal systems with modern, integrated platforms (Kantata/Kimble). Delivered complex data migrations, dashboard re-developments, and revenue reconciliation capabilities to optimize invoicing and C-suite forecasting.
- Cybersecurity Strategy & Governance: Advanced organizational cyber security maturity. Spearheaded Microsoft 365 sensitivity label deployment, privilege access hardening across 2,000+ devices, PKI security, ransomware readiness, and ongoing ISO / CE+ compliance.
- AI Strategy & Enterprise Adoption: Acted as a primary internal advocate for AI technology, establishing governance controls and driving operational AI adoption across business units.
- Global Delivery & Offshoring: Led the technology strategy for M&A integrations and the technical setup of Version 1's Global Capability Centre (GCC) in India, scaling offshore capabilities while maintaining exceptional team retention over 14 years.
- Commercial & Financial Oversight: Held full budget ownership for internal technology, driving strategic vendor negotiations, contract renewals, and targeted cost-reduction initiatives.
IT Director
AER ARANN
Dublin
2003.05 - 2011.11
- Led the strategic reintegration and development of the IT/IS function to support rapid airline expansion. Oversaw all aspects of technology, infrastructure, systems, data, and security across 22 sites.
- Key Achievements: Delivered a full enterprise infrastructure refresh; led the rollout of a central reservations system across all sites; introduced real-time flight information platforms; championed Lean processes across IT operations.
Group IT Manager
FINEOS CORPORATION
Dublin
2000.10 - 2003.05
- Promoted from Infrastructure Manager to unite IT, facilities, customer support, and training into a single operational unit supporting international business growth.
- Key Achievements: Deployed scalable infrastructure across new international offices (UK, Netherlands, Denmark); established global VPN and IP telephony networks; designed SLAs for internal and external enterprise clients.
Group IS Manager
GREEN ISLE FOODS
Co. Kildare
1996.09 - 2000.10
- Managed all IT/IS operations across 11 manufacturing and distribution sites supporting 300+ users.
- Key Achievements: Implemented company-wide Windows NT WAN; led SAP infrastructure deployment; introduced EDI systems with key distributors; deployed enterprise data warehousing for sales reporting.
IT Manager
Travel Hewetts
1994.08 - 1996.09
MIS Executive
Dell Computers
1993.05 - 1994.08
Lecturer in Computer Studies
Waterford Regional Technical College
1992.09 - 1993.05
Education
BSc (Hons) - Applied Computing
Waterford Institute of Technology
Intensive Management Training Programme - undefined
Irish Management Institute
Continuous Professional Development - undefined
Skills
- Strategic Leadership: IT Strategy & Operating Models, C-Suite Stakeholder Alignment, Change Management, AI Governance
- Enterprise Transformation: ERP/PSA Modernisation (Kantata/Kimble/Atlas), Integration Architecture, Business Systems
- Cybersecurity & Risk: Cyber Governance, ISO & CE Compliance, Privileged Access Management, Threat Mitigation
- Operations & Scale: Multi-Cloud Infrastructure (AWS/M365), Enterprise Architecture, Global Capability Centre (GCC) Scaling
- Commercial Acumen: P&L & Budget Management, Vendor Negotiation, Strategic Procurement, Cost Realisation
REFERENCES
- Jarlath, Dooley, Former HR & Operations Director, Version 1, Contact details available on request
- Padraig, O’Ceidigh, Founder, Aer Arann, Contact details available on request
Work availability
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Saturday
Sunday
morning
afternoon
evening
swipe to browse
Timeline
Group IT Manager / Head of Business & Technology Services (BaTS)
VERSION 1
2011.11 - 2026.07
IT Director
AER ARANN
2003.05 - 2011.11
Group IT Manager
FINEOS CORPORATION
2000.10 - 2003.05
Group IS Manager
GREEN ISLE FOODS
1996.09 - 2000.10
IT Manager
Travel Hewetts
1994.08 - 1996.09
MIS Executive
Dell Computers
1993.05 - 1994.08
Lecturer in Computer Studies
Waterford Regional Technical College
1992.09 - 1993.05
Continuous Professional Development - undefined
Intensive Management Training Programme - undefined
Irish Management Institute
BSc (Hons) - Applied Computing
Waterford Institute of Technology