At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead global IT operations and drive technology transformations.
- Company: Boku Inc. is a leading provider of mobile-first payment solutions for global brands.
- Benefits: Enjoy a diverse workplace, competitive salary, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Why this job: Shape the future of technology in a collaborative, innovative environment.
- Qualifications: 10+ years in IT leadership with expertise in regulated sectors and cloud-native environments.
- Other info: This role offers a chance to build teams and processes from the ground up.
The predicted salary is between 43200 - 72000 £ per year.
Boku Inc. (BOKU.L) is the leading global provider of local mobile-first payments solutions. Global brands including Amazon, DAZN, Meta, Google, Microsoft, Netflix, Sony, Spotify, and Tencent rely on Boku to reach millions of new paying consumers who do not use credit cards with our purpose-built payment network of more than 300 local payment methods across 70+ countries. Every year, Boku processes over $10 billion in value for our customers. Incorporated in 2008, Boku is headquartered in London and San Francisco and has employees in over 39 countries around the world, including Brazil, China, Estonia, Germany, Ireland, Japan, Singapore, and the UAE. Boku is a truly global company that takes pride in its diversity and thriving equal opportunity workplace.
We are looking for an experienced and hands-on Head of Global IT to lead our Corporate IT infrastructure engineering and IT service delivery functions. This is a high-impact leadership position with end-to-end responsibility for the delivery of IT services, execution of large-scale technology transformations, and the development of robust IT controls within a cloud-native, regulated enterprise environment.
The ideal candidate will have over 10 years of experience leading IT engineering and support teams, with a strong track record of operating in regulated sectors. They must demonstrate a deep understanding of IT operations, including cybersecurity, operational resilience, and compliance with frameworks such as ISO 27001, SOC 2, or PCI DSS. Success in this role requires resilience and self-management, with the ability to remain focused and effective under pressure while managing multiple competing priorities. The candidate must be highly self-motivated, results-driven, and capable of balancing long-term strategy with immediate operational demands. Equally critical is a genuine passion for technology and a natural talent for people leadership. The successful candidate will foster a positive, collaborative team culture, communicating with empathy and building trust-based relationships. They will be approachable, motivational, and committed to developing their teams.
This is a unique opportunity for someone who thrives on building teams, systems, and processes from the ground up. You will be accountable for the full scope of IT operations globally, including the delivery of key transformational initiatives that will shape the future of the firm’s technology landscape.
Key Responsibilities
- Provide leadership and operational oversight across global IT operations, including infrastructure, service desk, endpoint management, and enterprise platforms.
- Define and execute a scalable, future-proof IT roadmap aligned with business goals, cloud-native strategies, and cybersecurity standards.
- Drive continuous improvement across IT services, infrastructure reliability, incident response, and user support.
- Lead and deliver complex, cross-functional technology transformation projects (e.g., global cloud migrations, ITSM deployments, resilience programs).
- Build, enhance, and mature IT controls and governance processes across the full technology stack – from endpoints to cloud platforms.
- Ensure high levels of compliance with regulatory and audit requirements through strong control design and risk management.
- Serve as a subject matter expert on cybersecurity, resilience, and IT risk, working closely with Security, Compliance, and Engineering teams.
- Establish and enforce IT policies, standards, and procedures covering access management, asset lifecycle, configuration, patching, and change management.
- Build strong working relationships with internal business stakeholders, regulatory partners, and external vendors.
- Mentor, coach, and develop a globally distributed team, with direct management of the Service Desk Manager and IT Infrastructure Engineering team.
- The Head of Global IT is a key contributor to the firm’s governance and compliance program and plays a leading role in IT governance, risk management reporting, and the design and execution of IT controls testing.
Key Qualifications
- 10+ years of progressive experience in IT leadership roles, including managing distributed engineering and support teams.
- Proven success leading IT in cloud-native, DevOps-driven environments (AWS, GCP, Azure).
- Extensive experience in regulated industries (e.g., fintech, payments, healthcare, or critical infrastructure).
- Deep, expert-level knowledge of ISO 27001, SOC 2, or PCI DSS, including designing and operating security and IT controls beyond audit readiness.
- Strong technical background in IT infrastructure, endpoint security, networking, and cloud operations.
- Demonstrated experience managing technology transformations and modernizing legacy IT environments.
- Effective communicator and change leader, capable of translating technical complexity into clear business value.
- Experience collaborating across cross-functional teams (Security, Compliance, Engineering, Legal).
Preferred Certifications
- CISSP, CISM, or CRISC
- ITIL v4, PMP, or similar project/change management certification
- AWS/GCP/Azure cloud certifications
- Computer Science Degree (or similar)
Head of Global IT employer: Boku
Contact Detail:
Boku Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Global IT
✨Tip Number 1
Network with professionals in the fintech and payments sectors. Attend industry conferences or webinars where you can meet potential colleagues or leaders from Boku. Building these connections can give you insights into the company culture and the specific challenges they face.
✨Tip Number 2
Familiarise yourself with Boku's technology stack and recent projects. Understanding their cloud-native strategies and any recent technology transformations will help you speak knowledgeably about how you can contribute to their goals during interviews.
✨Tip Number 3
Demonstrate your leadership style by sharing examples of how you've built and developed teams in previous roles. Highlight your experience in fostering a collaborative culture, as this aligns with Boku's emphasis on team dynamics and people leadership.
✨Tip Number 4
Prepare to discuss your experience with compliance frameworks like ISO 27001 and SOC 2. Be ready to explain how you've implemented IT controls and risk management processes in past roles, as this is crucial for the Head of Global IT position at Boku.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Global IT
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure to customise your CV to highlight relevant experience in IT leadership, especially in cloud-native environments and regulated industries. Use specific examples that demonstrate your success in managing distributed teams and technology transformations.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Write a cover letter that showcases your passion for technology and people leadership. Discuss how your background aligns with Boku's mission and values, and provide insights into your approach to building collaborative team cultures.
Highlight Relevant Certifications: If you have certifications like CISSP, CISM, or cloud certifications from AWS, GCP, or Azure, make sure to prominently feature these in your application. They can set you apart as a qualified candidate for the Head of Global IT position.
Showcase Your Communication Skills: In your application, emphasise your ability to communicate complex technical concepts clearly to non-technical stakeholders. This is crucial for a leadership role where collaboration across various teams is essential.
How to prepare for a job interview at Boku
✨Showcase Your Leadership Experience
As a candidate for the Head of Global IT, it's crucial to highlight your leadership experience. Prepare specific examples of how you've successfully led IT teams, managed large-scale projects, and driven technology transformations in previous roles.
✨Demonstrate Technical Expertise
Be ready to discuss your deep understanding of IT operations, especially in regulated sectors. Familiarise yourself with frameworks like ISO 27001, SOC 2, and PCI DSS, and be prepared to explain how you've implemented these standards in past positions.
✨Emphasise Your People Skills
Boku values a collaborative team culture, so it's important to convey your ability to build trust-based relationships. Share examples of how you've mentored and developed your teams, and how you foster a positive work environment.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect scenario-based questions that assess your problem-solving skills under pressure. Think about past challenges you've faced in IT operations and how you navigated them, particularly in high-stakes environments.