Head of IT

Hiddenwell is looking for an experienced and commercially minded Head of IT to lead our technology strategy across our growing estate

Reporting to the Group Commercial Director, this is a senior leadership role with responsibility for IT strategy, investment, information security governance, resilience and supplier performance

You’ll ensure our technology is reliable, secure and scalable, while helping shape how technology supports our teams, our properties and the guest experience as Hiddenwell continues to grow

You’ll lead and develop the IT team and work closely with senior stakeholders, technology partners and our Managed Service Provider to deliver an effective, service-led IT function

What You’ll Do

Lead our IT strategy

• Developing and delivering an IT strategy aligned with Hiddenwell’s wider business objectives
• Leading and developing the IT team across infrastructure, service desk, networks, cyber security and cloud operations
• Sponsoring major technology and service improvement projects
• Leading the technology workstream for new property openings and acquisitions, ensuring systems, infrastructure and connectivity are ready for launch
• Building an excellent service culture within IT, aligned with Hiddenwell’s values and the needs of our teams and guests

Protect our business

• Owning our information security strategy and continually strengthen our cyber security maturity
• Ensuring appropriate compliance with standards and requirements including GDPR, PCI DSS, Cyber Essentials/Cyber Essentials+ and ISO 27001
• Overseeing cyber threat monitoring, detection and incident response, taking the lead on significant incidents
• Developing, maintaining and testing disaster recovery and cyber recovery arrangements
• Ensuring key technology partners have appropriate security and resilience measures in place

Develop our Technology

• Overseeing our on-premises and cloud infrastructure, ensuring high availability, performance and scalability
• Driving a cloud-first approach, making effective use of cloud technologies wherever appropriate
• Ensuring the technology supporting our guest experience is reliable, secure and effectively integrated with our core business systems
• Identifying opportunities to use technology to improve efficiency, service and the overall guest and team experience

Manage suppliers, investment and governance

• Leading the selection and ongoing management of Managed Service Providers and other key technology partners.
• Owning and managing the IT budget, balancing investment, performance and value.
• Support annual capital expenditure planning by providing technology requirements and forecasts
• Developing IT policies, procedures and governance frameworks that can scale as the organisation grows
• Monitoring supplier SLAs, KPIs and performance to ensure consistently high standards of service, * A clear and effective technology roadmap that supports our continued growth
• Stronger cyber security and technology resilience
• Successful technology delivery for new property openings and acquisitions
• Effective supplier relationships and consistently strong service performance
• Technology investment that delivers genuine value for the business

You’ll be an experienced technology leader who can combine technical knowledge with commercial thinking and strong people leadership . You’ll be comfortable operating at senior level, but equally able to understand what is happening operationally across a multi-site estate

We’re looking for someone with:

• Significant IT leadership and people management experience
• Experience managing technology across a multi-site environment
• Excellent knowledge of information security, cyber risk and technology resilience
• Cloud infrastructure experience
• Experience managing MSPs and third-party technology suppliers
• Budget ownership and extensive commercial management skills
• Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills, with the ability to make complex technical information accessible to non-technical audiences

Experience within hospitality, leisure or retail would be particularly valuable, as would experience with Cyber Essentials, ISO 27001 or ITIL

Experience supporting acquisitions, integrations, property openings or digital transformation would also be an advantage

• Working 40 hours per week
• Working 5 days out of 7
• Hold a UK Driving Licence and access to own car (travel required)
• Hold the relevant Right to Work in the UK, not requiring future sponsorship

Why Join Us

• Complimentary Spa Day on work anniversaries at any of our company spas
• Coffee, tea and snacks from our kitchen
• Complimentary use of leisure and spa facilities
• Access to the Employee Assistance Program
• 30% discount on overnight stays and spa days
• Discounts on food, drink and retail across our venues
• Pension scheme
• Free Parking
• Refer-a-Friend scheme
• Excellent Induction and training programme
• Perkbox Online benefits and discounts
• On-line Doctor support (appointments/prescriptions)
• A fun, supportive and inclusive work environment with loads of development opportunities