Head of Technology

Reporting to the Director of Corporate Planning and Projects, this key position plays a pivotal role in shaping the Technology component of the Company’s long-term Digital, Data and Technology Strategy, ensuring it aligns with our 10-year organisational aspirations. The Head of Technology has overall responsibility for IT operations and application development as well as executive oversight and direction for the project management team ensuring the delivery of major technology projects.

This is a corporate leadership position requiring, collaboration with Heads of Service to drive crosscutting initiatives, enhance performance, support project delivery, and remove barriers to organisational progress.

Role responsibilities ·Lead the development and refinement of the Technology Strategy as part of the wider Digital, Data and Technology Strategy.

·Define and maintain a clear, future-focused technology roadmap aligned with organisational goals and evolving user needs.

·Provide thought leadership on emerging technologies and their potential value to the organisation.

·Represent the technology function and provide informed, strategic technical expertise to a range of audiences, including Heads of Service, Senior Leadership Team, Committees, and the Board.

·Provide strategic and technical input into the organisation’s cybersecurity and compliance programme, ensuring systems, policies, and practices align with regulatory requirements and industry best practices

·Lead on technology business continuity and resilience planning, ensuring systems and services are robust, recoverable, and able to support critical operations during disruption.

·Lead, manage and support in-house software/application development capabilities. Ensuring robust integration between in-house systems and third-party platforms.

·Act as a lightning rod for operational and project-related issues, ensuring issue ownership, timely escalation, resolution, and clear communication to maintain momentum and minimise disruption.

·Act as a trusted technical and strategic advisor to the executive team, board, and sub-committees on all matters related to technology.

·Deep understanding of enterprise technology architecture, cloud platforms, cybersecurity, and data integration.

·Knowledge of data protection, cybersecurity, and compliance requirements (e.g. GDPR, ISO 27001), with experience embedding these into technology operations and project delivery.

Skills and abilities

·Proficiency in vendor and contract management, including negotiation, performance monitoring, and ensuring value for money in outsourced technology services.

·Ability to translate technical concepts into plain language, enabling non technical stakeholders such as Board members and Heads of Service to make informed decisions.

·Strong leadership and people management skills with proven ability to lead and support teams through organisational and technological change.

·Excellent communication and stakeholder engagement skills at all levels, demonstrating a collaborative, pragmatic, and delivery-focused approach.

·Strategic thinker with the ability to zoom in and out between long-term vision and operational detail.

·Competence in modern development methodologies and tools (e.g., DevOps, CI/CD, API management).

Experience

·Proven track record in a senior technology leadership role, ideally within a complex organisation undergoing transformation (preferably within an Education / Learning / Professional Membership Body environment).

·Experience managing IT operations, including service desk, infrastructure, and security.

·Experience overseeing in-house application development teams.

·Demonstrated success in delivering large-scale digital or technology projects, including CRM and/or website development, from planning through to implementation and post-launch support.

·Experience in leading the development and delivery of digital and technology strategies, ensuring alignment with organisational priorities and user needs

·Experience with business continuity planning and IT resilience, ensuring core services remain operational during disruption.

Education

·Degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, or related field (or equivalent experience).

·Relevant professional qualifications (e.g., ITIL).