Hiring: Head of IT

Permanent Location: Cheltenham - Hybrid (2 days per week onsite)

Salary: £70,000-£80,000

Industry: Education Services

About the Client

Our client is a well-established, employee-owned organisation that provides specialist services to government bodies, educational institutions, professional organisations and employers across the UK and internationally. With a reputation built on trust, quality and expertise, they operate in a highly regulated environment where technology plays a critical role in delivering secure, reliable services. As part of their continued growth and digital transformation journey, they are looking for a Head of IT to lead technology operations, development, testing and information security functions. This is a key leadership role offering the opportunity to shape technology strategy, modernise legacy systems and drive business-wide improvements across a collaborative and purpose-driven organisation.

How you’ll spend your day

• Leading and developing multi-disciplinary IT teams across Operations, Service Desk, Software Development and Testing.
• Creating and delivering the organisation’s IT strategy, roadmap and technology vision in line with wider business objectives.
• Managing IT budgets, resource planning, vendor relationships and technology investments.
• Building strong relationships with senior stakeholders across the business, including executive leadership teams.
• Overseeing the delivery, availability, performance and security of cloud and on-premise technology environments, with a strong focus on Azure.
• Driving continuous improvement across IT service management, operational processes and support functions using ITIL best practices.
• Providing strategic oversight of software development and testing activities, ensuring delivery aligns with business priorities.
• Leading cyber security, risk management and compliance initiatives, including supporting ISO standards, data protection requirements and business continuity planning.
• Reviewing existing infrastructure, systems and processes, identifying opportunities for modernisation, efficiency and improved resilience.
• Managing technology projects from planning through to successful delivery, ensuring stakeholder engagement and business alignment throughout.
• Championing a culture of collaboration, accountability, innovation and continuous improvement across the technology function.

What you’ll bring to this role

• Proven experience in a senior IT leadership position with responsibility for IT Operations, Development, Testing and Information Security functions.
• Strong technical background with experience across infrastructure, cloud platforms, networking, virtualisation, business systems and enterprise technology environments.
• Previous software development experience, ideally within Microsoft technology environments such as .NET, Azure and modern application platforms.
• Demonstrable experience creating and delivering technology strategies, roadmaps and transformation initiatives.
• Strong understanding of cyber security, risk management, governance and compliance within regulated environments.
• Experience working within organisations that support government, public sector, education or similarly regulated industries would be highly advantageous.
• Knowledge of IT frameworks and methodologies including ITIL, Agile, SDLC, ITSM and project delivery best practices.
• Strong commercial awareness with experience managing budgets, suppliers, forecasting and technology investments.
• Excellent stakeholder management skills, with the ability to influence and build trusted relationships at executive level.
• A collaborative leadership style with a proven track record of coaching, developing and empowering high-performing teams.
• Comfortable balancing strategic planning with hands-on operational oversight where required.
• A pragmatic, solutions-focused approach with the ability to prioritise effectively in a changing business environment.