Kyle Muir

Kyle Muir has enjoyed an impressive career journey marked by his passion for technology, problem-solving, and building lasting client relationships. It’s a story of continuous learning and growth, from code-writing and selling an online game in his teens to leading Capgemini’s Custom Cloud Applications (CCA) practice in New Zealand. We recently caught up with Kyle to discuss his career trajectory, insights into leadership, and perspectives on what makes Capgemini a unique and rewarding workplace.

From teen game developer to senior director

From a young age, Kyle’s fascination with computers led him to develop and sell an online game in his teen years , funding both his first car and a three-month school exchange trip to Germany. Despite his early success, it was at university that he realised his true potential in computer science.

After graduating in 2011, Kyle joined Intergen (Acquired by Capgemini), starting in the SharePoint web development team. Here, he gained valuable experience managing short, fast-paced projects with tight budgets. This experience instilled in him the importance of client-centricity, communication, and early course correction—skills that continue to serve him well today. As he states, “I started off in the SharePoint team of all things, but what I really appreciated about that was it was lots of really small, short, sharp engagement… working closely with the client on sometimes on really tight timeframes”. He later moved into custom development, working on larger, more complex projects.

Following Intergen’s acquisition by Capgemini in 2022, Kyle seized the opportunity to specialise and grow. He embraced new challenges, took on leadership roles, and ultimately became a Senior Director and Head of Cloud & Custom Applications in New Zealand in 2023.

A day in the life of Kyle

In this multifaceted role, Kyle says that no two days are the same. “It’s interesting about my day in that no two days look the same. But that’s also what I really appreciate… getting involved in different aspects of the business and client needs…the variety”

From day to day, he manages new projects and nurtures existing client relationships, focusing on governance, tracking progress, and resolving any escalations that may arise. In addition, Kyle conducts one-on-one meetings with his direct reports, participates in performance management, and builds relationships with clients, partners, and internal stakeholders.

Kyle also plans for the future by analysing pipeline requirements and addressing resource needs such as headcount, licensing, and training. He enjoys the variety and unpredictability of his work, finding it to be a continuous source of engagement and intellectual stimulation.

Adaptation, leadership and getting the future you want

Kyle learned to adapt his approach and prioritise as he advanced through various leadership levels. He realised that achieving success at each new stage required him to let go of some of the traits that had made him excel at the previous level “Each level that I’ve gone through, the thing that made me successful at that level, I had to let go of when I went to the next level.”

As he put it: “When I was a line manager practice lead, I had around 14 direct reports. I knew these individuals intimately: their projects, career aspirations, and goals. I was focused on their development and helping them achieve their ambitions. However, when I moved to a higher-level practice manager role, the focus shifted to the business. Contracts, clients, and sales became paramount. While individual development remains important, the business’s overall health is essential to ensure job security and future opportunities.” Now, as a Senior Director, he had to prioritise delegation, trusting his team to execute tasks effectively. At the same time, he concentrates on strategic initiatives and solving high-level problems.

Finding the thrill in challenges What truly excites Kyle is engaging with clients, deciphering their needs, and identifying opportunities to deliver value beyond the initial scope of work. He thrives on understanding the intricacies of organisations and proposing solutions that address their pain points. He enjoys tackling complex legacy systems, understanding their critical role in the business, and modernising them to ensure their continued functionality and relevance. As Kyle said, “…what excites me most about the work that we do would be getting involved with clients and understanding what really makes them tick and understanding how we fit into that picture. Because when you understand how an organisation works really well, you can start spotting all the things that you could be doing better, or that they may not be thinking of to solve additional problems.”

Kyle’s vision for Capgemini New Zealand is to become a model for other sub-practices within the company. He sees the potential for the New Zealand team to set the gold standard for delivery, client relationships, and overall excellence. “I want all other parts of CCA to look at what New Zealand does and go, ‘That’s the blueprint for how we should be doing things.’ That’s the…the gold standard of how it’s done.” This involves expanding their capabilities beyond Capgemini’s strong Microsoft practice in the region, bringing in new technologies and services, and taking on larger and more impactful engagements.

Embracing personal growth and global opportunities

Kyle emphasises Capgemini’s strength in individual career development. He appreciates the company’s support in allowing employees to pursue their interests and take on new challenges. After his previous company was acquired by Capgemini, he quickly realised the potential for growth and opportunity: “I saw the potential in what Capgemini could offer that we simply couldn’t get under our old organisation. The size and scale definitely provides a ton of opportunity.”

He also values the global reach and resources of Capgemini, enabling teams to share knowledge and best practices across borders. For instance, when Kyle’s team developed a solution for a New Zealand client, a case study about their work caught the attention of the Capgemini team in Germany. The German team was facing a similar challenge and reached out to Kyle’s team in New Zealand to learn more about their approach. This type of global collaboration allows for cross-pollination of ideas and the ability to bring world-class solutions to local clients. Kyle jokes “New Zealand, always punching above its weight, I suppose.” Kyle’s story is a testament to Capgemini’s commitment to fostering talent, encouraging innovation, and empowering employees to shape their own career paths. We thank him for his insights into leadership, client relationships, and the power of a global network, offering a compelling glimpse into what it’s truly like to work at Capgemini.