Head of Technology

Job Title : Head of Technology

Location : Liverpool – onsite office working minimum 4 days a week.

We are looking for an experienced Head of Technology & Engineering with a strong focus on Software Engineering and in-house application management, as well as overseeing a global infrastructure.

Working closely with: Head of Strategy & Governance, Head of Service Delivery and Head of Security, you will report directly to the Group Head of IT.

COMPANY OVERVIEW

My client is a well-established, long-running company with a global network of strategically placed offices and sites. They maintain their excellent reputation by delivering knowledge and professionalism in all aspects of their work, continuously reinvesting in their facilities, technology, and people.

PURPOSE OF THE HEAD OF TECHNOLOGY ROLE

My client is looking for someone with substantial experience leading in-house development and application teams to deliver exceptional internal applications. Additionally, the ideal candidate should have a solid background in infrastructure.

The Head of Technology role will focus 75% on applications—whether in-house developed or off-the-shelf—and 25% on global infrastructure.

The Head of Technology\’s role is to align technology vision with business strategy by integrating company processes with the appropriate technologies. The Head of Technology is also responsible for all aspects of developing and implementing technology initiatives within the organisation. This individual maintains existing enterprise systems while providing direction in all technology-related issues in support of information operations and core company values.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES FOR THE HEAD OF TECHNOLOGY

Key Responsibilities and critical responsibilities and skills of this position, listed in order of importance:

Strategy & Planning

1. Participate as a member of the senior management team in governance processes of the organisation\’s architecture, networks, programming, media, and desktops.
2. Lead strategic technological planning to achieve business goals by delivering technology initiatives and coordinating the evaluation, deployment, and management of current and future technologies.
3. Collaborate with the appropriate departments to develop and maintain a technology plan that supports organisational needs.
4. Develop and communicate business/technology alignment plans to executive team, staff, partners, customers, and stakeholders.

Acquisition & Deployment

1. Assess and communicate risks associated with technology-related investments and purchases.
2. Develop business case justifications and cost/benefit analyses for technology spending and initiatives.
3. Define requirements for new technology implementations and communicate them to key business stakeholders.
4. Review hardware and software acquisition and maintenance contracts and pursue master agreements to capitalise on economies of scale.
5. Support and communicate corporate procedures, policies, and standards for the organisation for acquiring, implementing, and operating new network systems, equipment, software, and other technologies.
6. Lead projects as they relate to the selection, acquisition, development, and installation of major information systems.
7. Approve the tools and components used within the enterprise.

Architecture

1. Provide overall direction, guidance, and definition of IT architecture to effectively support the corporate business strategy.
2. Direct the research and evaluation of emerging technology, industry, and market trends.
3. Support all architectural disciplines and champion architectural initiatives.
4. Review existing business processes and establish metrics to improve business processes.
5. Establish and oversee the architecture team, including recruitment, development, and maintenance of staff.
6. Lead programs to develop, maintain, and govern the enterprise architecture across the organisation.
7. Work on highly complex projects that require in-depth knowledge across multiple specialised architecture domains.
8. Ensure solutions are compliant with target-state architecture models.
9. Align architecture strategy with business goals.
10. Promote the EA process, outcomes, and results to the organisation and senior leadership.
11. Ensure the conceptual completeness of technical solutions.

Operational Management

1. Conduct research to remain up-to-date and knowledgeable in regards to industry trends and emerging technologies.
2. Analyse and improve upon technology standards to maintain a technological and competitive edge.
3. Act as primary liaison for the company\’s technology vision via regular communications.
4. Creatively and independently provide resolution to technical problems in a cost-effective manner.
5. Develop, track, and control technical services annual operating and capital budgets.
6. Supervise recruitment, development, retention, and organisation of technical staff.
7. Ensure continuous delivery of technical services through oversight of service level agreements.
8. Ensure equipment and software operation adheres to applicable laws and regulations.
9. Where necessary, oversee and develop patenting of intellectual property and business processes.

PERSON SPECIFICATION

Required Knowledge, Skills and Behaviours:

Technical Knowledge

1. Solid understanding of computer systems characteristics, features, and integration capabilities.
2. Extensive knowledge of data processing, hardware platforms, enterprise software applications, and outsourced systems.
3. Technical experience with systems networking, databases, software development, and user support.
4. Exposure to business theory, business processes, management, budgeting, and business office operations.
5. Excellent understanding of project management principles.
6. Superior understanding of the organisation\’s goals and objectives.

Demonstrated ability to apply technology solutions to business problems.

Person Specification

1. Proven leadership ability.
2. Ability to set and manage priorities judiciously.
3. Excellent written and oral communication skills.
4. Excellent interpersonal skills.
5. Strong tactical skills.
6. Ability to articulate ideas to both technical and non-technical audiences.
7. Exceptionally self-motivated and directed.
8. Keen attention to detail.
9. Superior analytical, evaluative, and problem-solving abilities.
10. Exceptional service orientation.
11. Ability to motivate in a team-oriented, collaborative environment.

Required Work Experience

1. Minimum 3 years experience managing and/or directing technological operations, managing multiple, large, cross-functional teams or projects, and influencing senior-level management and key stakeholders.
2. Proven experience leading modern development and product teams in an agile environment.
3. Experience in strategic technology planning, execution, and policy development.
4. Broad experience of multiple facets of technology including architecture design and deployment, systems lifecycle management, and infrastructure planning and operations.
5. Requires exposure to multiple, diverse technologies and processing environments.
6. Knowledge of all components of holistic enterprise architecture, business re-engineering principles and processes, and basic knowledge of financial models and budgeting.

This role may involve travel to both UK and overseas sites.

The incumbent may be required to perform job-related tasks other than those specifically presented in this job description.

If you are interested in this role, please send your CV for immediate consideration.

Ascent People is acting as an employment agency for this role and applicants of all ages and backgrounds will be considered.

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