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For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead IT strategy and operations, manage budgets, and oversee vendor relationships.
- Company: Join the Institute of Directors, a vibrant community for UK leaders with over 20,000 members.
- Benefits: Enjoy hybrid work, competitive salary, generous leave, and a 6% pension contribution.
- Why this job: Shape technology's role in a growing organisation while making a real impact on leadership.
- Qualifications: Proven IT leadership experience, budget management, and vendor oversight in cloud environments required.
- Other info: This role offers a unique chance to innovate and drive change in a respected institution.
The predicted salary is between 43200 - 72000 £ per year.
The Organisation
Nigel Wright are delighted to be partnering with the Institute of Directors in the search for a new Head of IT. The Institute of Directors (IoD) is a thriving membership community for Directors in the UK and beyond, where you can connect with other leaders, develop your skills and be heard. The IoD offers professional development, valuable connections and influence. With over 20,000 members across the UK and globally, the IoD has exciting plans for growth and the success of their strategy is underpinned by technology. Therefore this is an exciting opportunity to shape and create a new role whilst making an impact on the organisation.
Key Details:
- Working location: Hybrid - remote first contract with occasional travel to their HQ in London
- Working pattern: Full time (35hrs) Monday-Friday
The Role
The Head of IT role will lead the development and delivery of their technology function and will be a blend of strategic planning and operational delivery. You will report into the Chief Financial Officer and shape and implement IT strategy, managing a small internal team whilst overseeing a wide range of outsourced IT services and SaaS platforms. This role will require a lot of business engagement and stakeholder management will be key, as well as an eye on data-driven insights and a strong focus on being cost-effective.
Key focus areas:
- Strategy & Change: Lead the development of an IT strategy aligned to business goals and budgets.
- Budget management: Own the IT budget and drive rebalancing to improve cost-effectiveness and close capability gaps.
- Vendor and contract management: Implement a structured vendor management framework that defines clear responsibilities, service expectations and performance monitoring.
- Drive a customer centric approach to digital services and technology.
- Cyber Security: Champion cyber security frameworks and provide leadership and oversight.
- Data, BI and Analytics: Champion the strategic use of data to inform decision making, support system implementations, improve customer insight and engagement and drive the development of data-powered digital services.
Person Specification
Experience required:
- Proven IT leadership across operational, strategic and technical domains with experience shaping enterprise and solution architecture, embedding customer and service-focused design and leading cross-cutting change programmes.
- Experienced in establishing and operating delivery structures (e.g. steerco, change ownership, prioritisation, backlogs, acceptance criteria) and applying appropriate governance and delivery methods in outsourced and SaaS based environments.
- Extensive experience managing external providers and contracts for cloud-based and SaaS platforms, ensuring performance, compliance and alignment with business needs.
- Experience overseeing IT support services, managing IT budgets and optimising spend in a lean, cloud-first technology environment.
Benefits
- Competitive salary disclosed on application
- Employer pension contribution - 6%
- Life assurance cover- x4 salary (x8 with dependants)
- Annual leave - 25 days standard + 1 extra day at Christmas, 1 well-being day and 2 CSR days. Annual leave entitlement increases with years of service
- Employee assistance programme
- Access to Perkbox + many other benefits
Head of IT employer: Nigel Wright Group
Contact Detail:
Nigel Wright Group Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of IT
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the latest trends in IT strategy and management. Understanding how to align technology with business goals will be crucial for the Head of IT role, so keep up-to-date with industry news and best practices.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with professionals in the IT sector, especially those who have experience in leadership roles. Engaging with others can provide insights into the challenges and expectations of the position, which can help you stand out during interviews.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss your experience with vendor and contract management. Since this role involves overseeing outsourced IT services, being able to demonstrate your ability to manage relationships and ensure compliance will be key.
✨Tip Number 4
Showcase your understanding of cyber security frameworks. As a champion of cyber security in this role, being able to articulate your knowledge and experience in implementing security measures will be essential to impressing the hiring team.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of IT
Some tips for your application 🫡
Understand the Role: Before applying, make sure you fully understand the responsibilities and requirements of the Head of IT position. Tailor your application to highlight your relevant experience in IT leadership, strategic planning, and vendor management.
Craft a Compelling CV: Your CV should clearly showcase your IT leadership experience, particularly in operational, strategic, and technical domains. Include specific examples of how you've shaped enterprise architecture and led change programmes.
Write a Strong Cover Letter: In your cover letter, express your enthusiasm for the role and the organisation. Highlight your experience with budget management, cyber security, and data-driven decision-making, and explain how these align with the IoD's goals.
Proofread Your Application: Before submitting, carefully proofread your CV and cover letter for any errors or typos. A polished application reflects your attention to detail and professionalism, which are crucial for a leadership role.
How to prepare for a job interview at Nigel Wright Group
✨Understand the Organisation's Vision
Before the interview, take some time to research the Institute of Directors and their strategic goals. Understanding their vision will help you align your IT strategy ideas with their business objectives, showcasing your ability to contribute meaningfully.
✨Prepare for Stakeholder Engagement Questions
Given the importance of stakeholder management in this role, be ready to discuss your experience in engaging with various stakeholders. Prepare examples that demonstrate your ability to communicate effectively and manage expectations across different levels of an organisation.
✨Showcase Your Budget Management Skills
As the Head of IT, you'll be responsible for managing the IT budget. Be prepared to discuss your previous experiences with budget management, including how you've optimised spending and improved cost-effectiveness in past roles.
✨Highlight Cyber Security Awareness
Cyber security is a key focus area for this position. Be ready to talk about your experience with cyber security frameworks and how you've championed security initiatives in previous roles. This will demonstrate your commitment to protecting the organisation's data and systems.
