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Agent guide: [/agents.md](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/agents.md). --- # Head of IT Cost Optimization - **Company:** Smiths Detection Inc - **Location:** Hemel Hempstead, UK - **Experience:** Expert - **Contract:** Permanent contract - **Skills:** Software as a Service, Control Objectives for Information and Related Technology (COBIT), IT Management, Software Asset Management, Software Licensing, Enterprise Software Applications - **Published:** August 11, 2026 - **Apply:** https://uk.indeed.com/viewjob?jk=a9d828af6d273134 ## About the Role * Significant experience leading IT financial management, cost optimisation or technology commercial functions. * Strong understanding of IT operating models, infrastructure, enterprise applications and software licensing. * Experience developing and executing cost optimisation and financial governance strategies. * Proven track record of delivering measurable savings while maintaining service quality and business outcomes. * Experience managing supplier relationships, commercial negotiations and contract optimisation. * Strong stakeholder management experience, including influencing executive-level leaders. Knowledge & Skills * Strong understanding of IT Financial Management and FinOps principles. * Knowledge of cloud cost management practices and tools. * Familiarity with IT governance frameworks such as ITIL and COBIT. * Excellent commercial, financial modelling and analytical skills. * Outstanding negotiation, communication and presentation abilities. * Strong programme, transformation and change management capability., * Significant experience leading IT financial management, cost optimisation or technology commercial functions. * Strong understanding of IT operating models, infrastructure, enterprise applications and software licensing. * Experience developing and executing cost optimisation and financial governance strategies. * Proven track record of delivering measurable savings while maintaining service quality and business outcomes. * Experience managing supplier relationships, commercial negotiations and contract optimisation. * Strong stakeholder management experience, including influencing executive-level leaders. Knowledge & Skills * Strong understanding of IT Financial Management and FinOps principles. * Knowledge of cloud cost management practices and tools. * Familiarity with IT governance frameworks such as ITIL and COBIT. * Excellent commercial, financial modelling and analytical skills. * Outstanding negotiation, communication and presentation abilities. * Strong programme, transformation and change management capability. Additional Information Join us and we'll help build your career, with excellent training and opportunities for career growth across the business, both locally and globally. You'll experience an inclusive environment, with strong leadership and a focus on safety and wellbeing. You'll also have the flexibility to choose from a wide range of benefits to suit your lifestyle, offering you and your family support from a health and wellbeing, financial and lifestyle perspective. ## Description We are seeking a highly experienced Head of IT Cost Optimisation to lead the development and execution of our enterprise-wide IT cost optimisation strategy. This is a pivotal leadership role responsible for ensuring technology investment delivers maximum business value while maintaining operational resilience, service quality, security and scalability. Working across IT, Finance, Procurement and the wider business, you will create greater financial transparency, drive commercial excellence and embed a culture of value-based technology investment. If you are passionate about optimising technology spend, improving commercial performance and influencing strategic investment decisions, we would love to hear from you. What you will be doing: IT Cost Optimisation & Strategy * Develop and implement the organisation's IT Cost Optimisation Strategy. * Establish governance, policies and standards for technology financial management. * Lead continuous optimisation initiatives across infrastructure, cloud, applications, software licensing and third-party services. * Drive greater transparency of IT expenditure through enhanced reporting and analytics. * Define and monitor KPIs to measure technology cost efficiency and value creation. Financial Leadership * Own and deliver the IT operating and capital expenditure optimisation roadmap. * Partner closely with Finance teams to improve forecasting accuracy and governance. * Monitor technology spend, identify savings opportunities and improve budget accountability. * Build compelling business cases to support investment and optimisation initiatives. * Lead benchmarking activities to assess performance against industry peers and best practice. Supplier & Commercial Management * Develop commercial strategies across technology suppliers and managed service providers. * Lead contract reviews, commercial negotiations and supplier consolidation initiatives. * Ensure supplier performance delivers both financial value and operational outcomes. * Support procurement activities for major technology investments and transformation programmes. Software Asset & Cloud Management * Drive software licence optimisation and utilisation improvements. * Establish governance for SaaS procurement and lifecycle management. * Ensure licensing compliance while reducing unnecessary expenditure. * Support FinOps initiatives and cloud cost management programmes. Leadership & Stakeholder Engagement * Provide leadership and coaching across FinOps, Software Asset Management and IT Commercial Management teams. * Build strong relationships with senior stakeholders across Technology, Finance, Procurement and Business functions. * Promote financial accountability and value-based decision-making throughout IT. * Influence senior leaders on technology investment priorities and optimisation opportunities.