Head of IT

Are you an experienced IT leader who thrives on genuine transformation - not just keeping the lights on?

We’re working exclusively with a well-established, multi-site group business undergoing a significant period of change, to appoint a Group Head of IT who will take ownership of the technology function and lead it through a major standardisation and modernisation programme.

This is a rare opportunity to build a Group IT operating model from the ground up - reporting into the CFO, with strategic mentorship and support from an experienced fractional CIO.

The Opportunity

You’ll be walking into a business with real scale and real ambition, but a technology landscape that’s grown organically through acquisition - fragmented, under-governed, and ready for a strong hand to bring it together. This isn’t a “steady the ship” role. It’s a genuine transformation opportunity for someone who wants to leave a lasting mark on a business and build something they can be proud of.

You’ll lead a growing team of circa 10-12 IT professionals (4-6 direct reports initially), with responsibility for:

• Building and owning the Group IT strategy, operating model and governance framework

• Standardising Microsoft 365, identity, endpoint management and collaboration tools across the Group

• Driving the Group’s cyber security, risk and resilience agenda

• Embedding ITIL-aligned service management and a culture of continual improvement

• Rationalising enterprise applications and shaping a practical data and reporting roadmap

• Owning IT budgets, supplier relationships and technology procurement

• Supporting technology due diligence as the business continues to grow through acquisition, The opportunity to shape the future structure and direction of the Group’s technology function

We’re looking for a credible, resilient, and commercially-minded technology leader who:

• Has genuine hands-on operational IT leadership experience - someone who has delivered real change, not just planned it

• Has led IT within a multi-site or group structure, ideally spanning more than one business entity

• Brings breadth of experience across different organisations, sectors or challenges, rather than a long single-employer tenure

• Can operate independently and confidently, taking strategic direction and driving it through a complex organisation without needing to escalate every decision

• Leads and develops others rather than defaulting to hands-on-keyboard delivery

• Is comfortable working at pace, managing multiple priorities, and hitting deadlines

• Is commercially astute and can influence stakeholders at Board and Executive level

Experience of supporting acquisitions or exposure to international sites (particularly France or Germany) would be an advantage, but is not essential - the right personality, resilience and track record matter more than a perfect sector match.