Head of IT in Lewes

THE ROLE Head of IT – responsible for owning the technology backbone of Ancient + Brave as the company scales across geographies and channels. The role defines technology strategy, drives architecture, manages outsourced partners, and ensures systems such as ERP, data warehouse, and cyber posture support the next growth phase.

WHAT YOU'LL BE DOING

• Own the IT strategy and technology roadmap, translating commercial and operational priorities into a coherent plan for systems, data, and infrastructure.
• Lead all aspects of IT infrastructure—including end‑user computing, networking, telephony, identity and access management—across the UK, US, and EU.
• Own data protection and cyber security; lead the cyber posture, maintain UK/EU GDPR compliance, manage the DPO relationship, and ensure demonstrable security as the business scales internationally.
• Maintain and improve ERP (Priority), partnering with the implementation team to drive performance and data quality; evaluate and implement future ERP solutions when ready.
• Architecturally responsible for the full technology stack, setting integration standards, patterns, and security perimeters for systems such as Shopify, Priority, Omnicommerce, marketing platforms, 3PLs, and Amazon.
• Build and lead data infrastructure, including the data warehouse, pipelines, and reporting layer; partner with Finance, Commercial, and Operations to produce trusted, accessible data.
• Manage outsourced technology partners, holding them to clear SLAs, commercial terms, and delivery standards, consolidating when it serves the business.
• Own the IT budget end‑to‑end, providing forecasts, cost transparency, and ROI to the COFO; identify savings as the stack matures.
• Recruit and build a small in‑house technology team over time, keeping the function lean, and partnering with People on structure and development.
• Champion governance practices, maintain the technology risk register, support the Audit Committee on cyber and data, and embed controls such as change management and incident reporting.
• Partner cross‑functionally with leaders across the business, acting as a trusted advisor on system, data, and process decisions.
• Reflect B Corp commitments in technology choices, considering sustainability, ethics, and supplier alignment in vendor selection.

WHO YOU ARE

• Extensive senior IT or technology leadership experience in a high‑growth, multi‑channel business (Consumer, DTC, e‑commerce, or FMCG).
• Broad technical breadth—comfortable with infrastructure, ERP, middleware, data, and cyber—with depth to challenge partners and commercial instincts to balance solutions.
• Demonstrated ERP experience across multiple geographies: selection, implementation, optimisation, or migration; familiarity with Priority, NetSuite, Microsoft Dynamics, SAP Business One, or similar.
• Strong track record building data infrastructure from scratch; modern data warehouse experience (Snowflake, BigQuery, Redshift, Databricks) and BI/FP&A tooling familiarity.
• Deep cyber security and data protection knowledge, including Cyber Essentials Plus, ISO 27001, SOC 2, NIST, GDPR, with CISSP or CISM a plus.
• Proven ability to manage outsourced partners—write SLAs, tender, consolidate vendors when warranted.
• Architecture‑mindset but pragmatic: can envision future state and adapt to scaling realities.
• Commercially sharp—build business cases, clear communication, and self‑confidence in leadership.
• Hands‑on, lean, entrepreneurial mindset; operates without excessive layers, valuing pace, judgement, and ownership.

SHARED BELIEFS

• Bravery: Courageous, bold, experimental.
• Integrity: Honest, accountable, ethical.
• Connection: Collaborative, inclusive, open.
• Intention: Purposeful, proactive, focused.

IMPORTANT NOTE ON OUR WAY OF WORKING We are a fast‑paced scale‑up; in‑person collaboration is essential. Expect full‑time presence at our Lewes HQ. All new hires are required to work from the office full time.

BENEFITS

• Company laptop, headphones, office‑equipped with monitors, ergonomic chairs, and sit‑stand desks.
• Fully stocked kitchen and unlimited supply of A+B products (50% discount on purchases).
• Discretionary bonus linked to company performance and individual contribution, with annual salary reviews.
• ESG‑invested pension contributions.
• Private medical insurance, specialist consultations, 24/7 virtual GP, health screenings, dental, optical, and complementary therapies.
• Financial wellbeing support via the Mintago platform and salary‑sacrifice schemes covering childcare, cycle‑to‑work, gym, groceries, electric vehicle, and tech purchases.
• Annual holiday allowance of 25 days plus bank holidays, plus one wellbeing day.
• Continuous training and professional development, complimentary nutrition and workout sessions, and charitable fund‑raising initiatives.