Lead the Future of Global IT Systems at Buro Happold. Shape the systems that power a world‑class consultancy. This person can be based in Bath, London, Leeds, or Manchester on a hybrid working model. At Buro Happold, we are driven by a singular purpose: creating a future where everyone can thrive. As a global multidisciplinary consultancy, our people deliver innovative solutions that transform the built environment and tackle some of the world’s most complex challenges. We’re now looking for an exceptional Global IT Systems Manager to lead our Software and Systems Team, driving the governance, optimisation and strategic management of technology platforms used across our global business. If you’re a people‑focused technology leader who thrives on bringing order to complexity, influencing senior stakeholders, and delivering meaningful change at scale, we’d love to hear from you.
About the Role
Reporting to the Global Head of IT Operations & Infrastructure, you will be a key member of the IT Management Team with responsibility for the quality, compliance and delivery of software and systems services across the Practice. Leading a team of eight specialists, you will ensure our software estate is well‑governed, commercially optimised and aligned to business priorities. You will oversee strategic initiatives, manage risk, improve processes and provide clear visibility into software performance, utilisation and value. Success in this role means creating a trusted software environment that enables our people to do their best work while ensuring strong governance, compliance and commercial effectiveness.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead, coach and develop a global team of Software and Systems specialists.
- Own the governance, quality and delivery of software and systems services across the Practice.
- Build strong relationships with stakeholders across the business, understand priorities and translate them into effective solutions.
- Manage and prioritise the team’s workload, ensuring resources are aligned to strategic objectives.
- Drive improvements in software asset management, licensing compliance and lifecycle management.
- Establish clear reporting and dashboards to provide insight into software utilisation, adoption, cost and risk.
- Lead and contribute to IT projects and strategic initiatives across the global organisation.
- Oversee supplier performance and support contract negotiations and commercial discussions.
- Ensure robust governance processes are in place for software, AI technologies and emerging digital tools.
- Identify, manage and mitigate operational, commercial and technology risks.
- Champion continuous improvement across systems, processes and service delivery.
About You
- You will be an experienced IT leader who combines strong commercial awareness with excellent people leadership and stakeholder management skills.
- Experience leading IT teams within a complex, global organisation.
- Strong knowledge of software asset management, licensing models, compliance and optimisation strategies.
- Proven success delivering projects and business change through teams.
- Experience managing vendor relationships, contracts and software estates at scale.
- A solid understanding of IT governance, risk and compliance, including SaaS and emerging technologies such as AI.
- Working knowledge of core IT disciplines including Microsoft 365, Windows environments and ITIL principles.
- Outstanding communication skills, with the ability to influence and engage stakeholders at all levels.
- Strong analytical and problem‑solving capabilities, supported by a data‑driven mindset.
- The ability to thrive in a fast‑paced, evolving environment where priorities can shift quickly.
- Degree qualification or equivalent professional experience.
- Relevant IT qualification such as ITIL or similar.
Benefits
- Bring your knowledge and expertise to one of the world’s most respected consultancies.
- Hybrid working arrangements.
- Attractive salary and benefits package.
- Holiday entitlement of 25 days per annum (exclusive of bank holidays) and flexible holiday arrangements.
- Generous company pension scheme.
- Flexible benefits including cycle scheme, dental insurance, optical cover, travel insurance, season ticket loans, and corporate discounts.
- Enhanced parenthood leave policies.
- 3pm finish on the last Friday of the month.
- A strong commitment to your continuous development.
- Whatever stage in your career, we have a learning and development programme that will enable and empower you.
- Entitlement to two memberships to professional bodies or subscriptions.
- A commitment to your wellbeing through a comprehensive employee assistance programme and wellbeing activities.
- A supportive and inclusive environment that will welcome you through social and outreach activities from the Young Employees Forum to mentoring.
- An international culture that wherever your career takes you at Buro Happold, you won’t be far from the exceptional.
Buro Happold values individual’s flexible approaches to working patterns as an important part of the way you work and achieve balance. We welcome applications from those who are seeking flexibility in their careers. Our exceptional portfolio of projects is the result of the diversity of thought, identities, backgrounds and experiences that shape us. Appreciating each other’s differences is key, we want employees to feel they don’t have to mask elements of their identity to thrive. We are working to change the lack of representation of marginalised groups in the built environment and are particularly keen to hear from anyone who feels they are underrepresented in the industry. We have much to learn from one another. Embracing difference allows us to develop the most innovative and elegant solutions.
