At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead IT strategy, drive digital transformation, and manage technology operations.
- Company: Established legal firm focused on innovation and growth.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, full-time hours, and opportunities for professional development.
- Other info: Exciting role with potential for significant impact and career advancement.
- Why this job: Shape the future of technology in a dynamic legal environment.
- Qualifications: Proven senior IT leadership experience and strong understanding of cybersecurity.
The predicted salary is between 60750 - 74250 £ per year.
- Head of IT, Manchester or Preston (job ref: 2IT)
- September 16, 2026
- Head of IT, Manchester or Preston (job ref: 2IT)
Are you an experienced IT leader ready to drive technology, innovation, and digital transformation within a fast-paced professional services environment?
We are seeking a strategic and commercially minded Head of IT to lead our technology function, ensuring our systems, infrastructure, cybersecurity, and digital services support the needs of a growing legal and professional services organisation.
Working closely with senior leadership, you will be responsible for developing and delivering the IT strategy, leading operational excellence, strengthening cybersecurity, and identifying opportunities to leverage AI, automation, and emerging technologies to improve efficiency, client service, and business performance.
Key Responsibilities
- Develop and deliver the organisation’s IT strategy and technology roadmap.
- Lead IT operations, infrastructure, cloud services, cybersecurity, and business continuity planning.
- Manage and develop the internal IT team and third-party technology partners.
- Drive digital transformation, process improvement, automation, and AI initiatives.
- Oversee IT projects, system upgrades, software implementations, and technology investments.
- Ensure high-quality, responsive IT support across the business.
- Manage IT budgets, contracts, supplier relationships, and technology procurement.
- Maintain robust governance, compliance, data protection, and information security standards.
- Act as the senior technology advisor to leadership, providing insight into emerging technologies, risks, and opportunities.
- What We’re Looking For
- Proven experience in a senior IT leadership role, ideally within legal, professional services, financial services, or other regulated environments.
- Strong understanding of IT infrastructure, cloud technologies, cybersecurity, and IT service delivery.
- Experience leading technical teams and managing outsourced providers.
- Demonstrable success delivering technology projects, digital transformation, and business change programmes.
- Experience managing technology budgets, supplier contracts, and strategic IT investments.
- Strong stakeholder management skills with the ability to communicate effectively at all levels of the business.
- Experience implementing automation, AI, or technology solutions that improve operational efficiency and client service.
Why Join Us?
This is an exciting opportunity to shape the technology strategy of an established legal firm with strong desires to grow.
You’ll play a key role in driving innovation, improving operational performance, strengthening cybersecurity, and ensuring technology continues to support exceptional service delivery for both clients and colleagues.
Hours
37.5 hours per week (full time)
Please note, this vacancy may be closed at any time if sufficient applications have been received.
No agencies
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Head of IT in Manchester employer: Birchall Blackburn Law
Birchall Blackburn Law is an exceptional employer, offering a supportive work environment in Leyland where you can thrive as a Wills & Estates Paralegal. With a focus on client relationships and professional development, employees benefit from competitive salaries, a collaborative culture, and clear pathways for career advancement, making it a rewarding place to build your legal career.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of IT in Manchester
✨Join the IT Consultancy Buzz
Get involved in local or virtual IT consultancy meetups and forums. This is where we can rub shoulders with industry professionals, get insights into what Birchall Blackburn Law values, and even spot unadvertised opportunities. Don't miss out on these chances to make a name for ourselves in the IT world!
✨Show Off Your Skills
Create a personal project or case study relevant to the challenges Birchall Blackburn Law might face. Use platforms like GitHub or Medium to share your findings. This not only demonstrates our consulting skills but shows a proactive attitude, making us stand out from the crowd when applying for that full-time gig.
✨Leverage LinkedIn for Connections
Follow and engage with the relevant thought leaders and influencers in IT consultancy on LinkedIn. Share insightful content and join discussions to gain visibility. A well-placed comment or shared article could catch the attention of someone at Birchall Blackburn Law!
✨Direct Apply to Birchall Blackburn Law
Let's not forget to apply directly through the Birchall Blackburn Law website! Tailor your application to showcase our understanding of their consulting style and how we can contribute to their projects. A personalised approach can make a huge difference in landing that full-time position!
We think you need these skills to ace Head of IT in Manchester
Some tips for your application 🫡
Showcase Your Problem-Solving Skills:In IT consulting, it's all about problem-solving, so make sure your CV highlights your analytical skills and any relevant projects you've tackled. Mention specific technologies or methodologies you've used to resolve issues or improve processes; this shows you can think critically and deliver results, which is vital for us at Birchall Blackburn Law.
Highlight Relevant Certifications:Certifications like ITIL, PMP, or even specific tech stack qualifications can really make you stand out. Make sure to include these in your CV, as they not only demonstrate your expertise but also your commitment to staying current in the field. We love seeing candidates who are proactive about their professional development!
Tailor Your Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to connect personally with us at Birchall Blackburn Law. Share stories about your experiences in IT consulting, and how they shaped your desire to join our team. Mention why you’re excited about this particular role, and how you see yourself contributing to our projects.
Keep It Clear and Concise:We're all busy, so make sure your application is easy to read. Use bullet points for key achievements, and don’t overload us with jargon. A clean, professional layout goes a long way. Remember, the clearer your application, the more likely we are to invite you in for an interview!
How to prepare for a job interview at Birchall Blackburn Law
✨Brush Up on Your Technical Skills
For an IT consulting role, be ready to demonstrate your technical prowess. You might face questions on systems integration, cloud technologies, or even troubleshooting specific software. If you have experience with tools like AWS, Azure, or even specific programming languages, make sure you can talk about them fluently.
✨Showcase Your Problem-Solving Approach
IT consulting is all about solving problems for clients. Think about how you can illustrate your approach to a past challenge using the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result). It's a great way to show how you tackle complex issues and come up with effective solutions.
✨Know the Business Impact of IT Solutions
When discussing your experiences, focus not just on the tech solutions you implemented, but also on their business impact. Employers want to see that you can connect IT with organisational goals. Prep examples that highlight how your tech contributions improved efficiency or reduced costs for past clients or projects.
✨Prepare for Behavioural Questions
Since IT consulting often involves teamwork and client interactions, expect behavioural questions that assess your interpersonal skills. Be prepared with examples that demonstrate your adaptability, communication skills, and how you handle client feedback. Before the interview, think of situations where you worked closely with clients to create effective IT strategies or changes.
