Queensland’s Residential Tenancies Authority (RTA) is actively seeking a new Chief Digital Officer (CDO) following the departure of Greg Watts earlier this year. Watts moved to the Public Trustee of Queensland in July as its Chief Information Officer. Jelena Nikolic, the RTA’s Digital Solutions Director, is serving as the Acting CDO while the organization conducts its search for a permanent replacement.
Responsibilities of the New CDO
The incoming CDO will report directly to the RTA’s CEO and will spearhead the agency’s digital transformation program. This initiative encompasses migrating legacy platforms to Dynamics 365, focusing on enhancing user experience, optimizing efficiency, automating processes, harnessing data insights, and improving customer experiences.
Digital Transformation Focus
The RTA, headquartered in Brisbane, has been investing significantly in digital capabilities to streamline services related to bond management and dispute resolution for landlords, renters, and real estate agents. This effort includes the completion of its Web Services suite in late 2021, with features like “Bulk Bond Lodgement” for streamlined online transactions.
Digital Growth Metrics
In the 2021-22 financial year, the RTA observed a five percent increase in the utilization of RTA Web Services. Notably, 70.2 percent of all tenancy and bond forms were lodged through digital channels, underscoring the impact of the digital initiatives in the organization.
Greg Watts’ Background
Greg Watts had served as the RTA’s CDO since 2021 before transitioning to the Public Trustee of Queensland. His career includes roles as the CIO of the Queensland Department of Employment, Small Business and Training, and Director Executive of Architecture Consulting at the Queensland Government Chief Information Office. Watts also held senior IT positions at the Public Safety Business Agency and the Queensland Police Service.
The appointment of a new Chief Digital Officer at the RTA highlights the organization’s commitment to advancing its digital transformation program. This endeavor aims to enhance service delivery, user experiences, and operational efficiency while fostering a seamless digital environment for all stakeholders in Queensland’s rental sector.