Group Head of IT

Thames & Hudson is an independent, family-owned illustrated book publisher based in London, with an international reputation for producing high-quality books across art, design, architecture, photography, fashion, history, archaeology and popular culture.

Behind every book is a wide range of specialist, operational and support teams who help the company work effectively, collaboratively and to a high standard. Our IT department provides secure technology, protects systems and data, improves publishing platforms and integrations, and supports the well-governed use of new tools across our London headquarters and international subsidiaries.

The Group Head of IT leads Thames & Hudson’s IT function, ensuring that our technology, systems and data are secure, reliable, cost-effective and aligned with the needs of the business. The role combines operational leadership with responsibility for IT strategy, AI leadership, governance, policy, budgets and business-critical technology projects.

Based in London, the role leads the UK IT team and works closely with colleagues across the business. It also acts as a senior technology adviser and project partner to our subsidiary and sister companies in Melbourne, Hong Kong, Paris & New York. The role provides international coordination and project support rather than day-to-day operational ownership, outside of the UK.

What you’ll be doing

In this role, you will:

• Lead a robust, reliable and responsive IT service, setting clear priorities and developing a calm, helpful and solutions-focused UK IT team
• Develop and deliver a practical IT strategy and prioritised technology roadmap, translating business needs into proportionate solutions, investment priorities and implementation plans
• Own IT governance, policies and standards, including information security, access, data management, software licensing and responsible AI use
• Lead the company’s operational approach to cybersecurity, disaster recovery, business continuity, backups and technology risk, and act as the company’s Data Officer
• Own the technology roadmap for core publishing systems and data flows, improving workflows, integrations and data quality across publishing, finance, ecommerce, inventory, distribution and reporting
• Provide senior technical leadership for our local Shopify websites and digital roadmap, prioritising improvements to security, reliability, customer experience, operational efficiency and online revenue
• Lead our practical and responsible adoption of AI-enabled tools, assessing proposed tools and use cases and supporting proportionate trials, training and implementation
• Oversee the IT project portfolio and personally lead business-critical projects, with clear plans, governance, responsibilities, testing, adoption and success measures
• Own the annual IT budget, forecasts, business cases, contracts, licences and supplier relationships, securing reliable performance, value for money and controlled risk
• Advise and support colleagues in Melbourne, Hong Kong, Paris & New York on agreed technology projects, encouraging shared solutions where beneficial without unnecessary centralisation.

Who you’ll work with

You’ll work closely with:

• The CFOO, senior leadership team and Heads of Department
• Colleagues across publishing, sales, marketing, publicity, finance, operations and support functions, including ecommerce, digital and AI groups
• The IT team and other internal system owners
• Our international colleagues
• Technology vendors, developers, managed-service providers and other specialist advisers., They shape how we work with each other, our authors, our partners and our readers. This role is aligned with the Manager/Specialist level of our competency framework:
• Creativity: Develop and steer practical technology ideas with creative and commercial judgement, creating space for others’ ideas and supporting controlled experimentation
• Integrity: Make fair, evidence-based decisions, explain the rationale, address risks promptly and apply policies consistently
• Respect: Create an inclusive environment where people feel heard, recognise different working styles and strengths, and give clear, constructive feedback
• Communication: Set clear expectations, tailor messages to the audience and explain technical, cyber, data and AI matters calmly and clearly
• Excellence: Maintain high standards across competing priorities, make informed judgements and identify risks to quality early.

What success looks like

In this role, success will mean:

• Strategic planning and project delivery are balanced effectively with business-as-usual IT requirements
• Colleagues receive a reliable, responsive and well-communicated IT service, guided by a clear strategy, roadmap and understanding of business value
• Cybersecurity, data, licensing and continuity risks are actively managed, while publishing systems and data flows become simpler and more reliable
• Ecommerce, AI and international projects deliver measurable benefits; budgets and suppliers are controlled; and the IT team is capable, resilient and trusted.

• Substantial experience leading an IT function or operating as a senior IT manager in an organisation of comparable scale and complexity
• Strong experience of IT operations, infrastructure, cloud services, networks, user support and supplier management, alongside developing strategy, policies, roadmaps and budgets
• Sound knowledge of cybersecurity, data protection, business continuity, disaster recovery, access control and technology risk management
• A successful record of leading cross-functional systems, integration or transformation projects from definition through to implementation and adoption
• Experience assessing business requirements and improving internal systems, workflows and data quality
• Commercial judgement, including business cases, contract negotiation, cost control and management of third-party providers, together with strong people-management skills
• Excellent communication skills, including the ability to explain technical issues to non-technical colleagues and write clear, practical policies and guidance
• Sound judgement, calm incident leadership and the ability to balance strategic priorities with hands-on operational demands
• Lead our practical and responsible adoption of AI-enabled tools, assessing proposed tools and use cases, supporting proportionate trials and implementation, and helping to coordinate appropriate training
• A commitment to valuing diversity and contributing positively to an inclusive workforce.

You may also have:

• Experience in publishing, media, ecommerce or another creative business
• An understanding of publishing metadata, title-management systems, ONIX and integrations with ecommerce, inventory or distribution platforms
• Experience with some of our current environment: Microsoft 365, Azure file storage, Sophos MDR, FileMaker, Shopify, Power BI, Adobe and relevant integration or development technologies
• Experience supporting international colleagues or delivering technology projects across different locations and time zones
• Relevant professional qualifications in IT service management, project management, cybersecurity, data protection or a related discipline.

Please do not be put off applying if you do not meet every desirable requirement. We are interested in hearing from candidates who can bring the right skills, judgement and potential to the role.

We offer a supportive and creative working environment, alongside a range of benefits, including:

• 28 days’ holiday plus bank holidays
• Profit share scheme
• Interest-free loan for rent deposit or season travel ticket
• Discounts off our Thames & Hudson books and co-editions
• Generous pension contributions
• Employee Assistance Programme and retail discounts
• Cycle to Work Scheme
• Free entry into hundreds of museums and galleries nationwide.

Some benefits are subject to eligibility.