At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead technology strategy and digital transformation for a forward-thinking organisation.
- Company: Established UK organisation in West Lothian with a strong reputation.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, car allowance, and the chance to shape future technology.
- Other info: Opportunity to influence senior stakeholders and drive meaningful change.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on technology evolution and security in a dynamic environment.
- Qualifications: Proven experience in technology strategy, digital transformation, and cyber security.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 75000 £ per year.
Head of IT required to join an established UK organisation in West Lothian at an exciting stage of its technology journey. This is a strategic technology leadership role responsible for shaping the future technology roadmap, leading digital transformation, strengthening information security and understanding what the business needs from technology for the future.
The Organisation: This is a well-established UK organisation with a long history and a strong reputation within its sector. Over the years, the business has grown significantly, evolving from its traditional roots into a broader, multi-site organisation. Despite its heritage, the organisation has always been forward-thinking and understands the importance of technology in supporting its future. As the business continues to develop, there is a clear focus on ensuring its technology, systems and processes evolve alongside it. The organisation is now at an important point in that journey. A number of its core business systems have historically been bespoke, and they're actively moving towards more scalable, modern and commercially supported platforms. They've recently implemented Microsoft Business Central, are beginning to introduce Salesforce and have further core systems that will need to be reviewed, replaced and rationalised. This creates a genuinely exciting opportunity for technology to have a meaningful impact across the organisation.
The Role: This is a strategic technology leadership position with responsibility across technology strategy, digital transformation, information security, infrastructure and IT service delivery. You'll work closely with the IT Director and wider senior leadership team to understand the future direction of the business and determine what technology needs to look like to support it. You'll have significant scope to shape the direction of technology across the organisation. With a small IT team, this isn't a role focused on managing a large technology function; it's about providing direction, bringing ideas and influencing the wider business to deliver meaningful change. A key part of the role will be leading the continued modernisation of the application landscape. You'll help define which systems the business needs for the future, lead the replacement of legacy and bespoke applications and ensure platforms such as Business Central and Salesforce are being used effectively. Alongside this, you'll have responsibility for the wider Microsoft technology environment and IT infrastructure, including Azure, Microsoft 365, servers, networks, communications, devices, backup and recovery and IT service delivery. You'll ensure the technology estate remains secure, resilient and fit for purpose while continuing to evolve alongside the business. Information security will also be a major part of the role. You'll own the organisation's cyber security programme, ensuring appropriate governance, controls, security tooling and resilience are in place, while maintaining the relevant accreditations and standards. AI and emerging technology will form part of the forward-looking strategy too. The organisation is interested in understanding where these technologies can add genuine value, and you'll have the opportunity to identify opportunities around automation, process improvement and AI adoption while ensuring appropriate governance and security are in place. This is a role for someone who wants to make their mark. You'll be expected to challenge existing thinking, bring new ideas and provide a clear sense of direction, with the opportunity to influence senior stakeholders and shape how technology supports the organisation's next phase.
What They're Looking For:
- Proven experience developing technology strategies and roadmaps aligned to wider business objectives
- A strong track record of delivering digital transformation and technology change programmes
- Strong understanding of information and cyber security, ideally including Cyber Essentials Plus, ISO 27001 or NIST
- Strong Microsoft technology experience across Azure, Microsoft 365 and wider IT infrastructure
- Experience overseeing servers, networks, end-user technology, communications, backup/recovery and IT service delivery
- Strong senior stakeholder management skills, with the ability to communicate technology strategy, risk and investment at Board level
- Experience with ERP or CRM platforms; Microsoft Dynamics/Business Central experience would be advantageous
- An understanding of AI strategy, governance and the opportunities emerging technologies can create
- Strong leadership skills, with the ability to provide direction and develop a small technology team
- A genuine interest in technology and a desire to identify new ways of improving how an organisation operates
The Offer: You'll receive a salary of £60,000 - £75,000 plus car allowance, with the role based in West Lothian and requiring 4/5 days onsite. This is an opportunity to join an established organisation at an important point in its technology journey, where you'll have genuine influence over the future direction of the function. You'll be given the scope to shape strategy, modernise the technology landscape, strengthen security and introduce new ideas that can make a tangible difference across the business.
Head of IT in London employer: Cathcart Technology
Cathcart Technology is an excellent employer, offering a vibrant and inclusive work culture that fosters collaboration and innovation. With opportunities for professional growth through mentorship and hands-on experience in cutting-edge AI and ML projects, employees can thrive in a supportive environment while enjoying the flexibility of hybrid working in the beautiful city of Edinburgh.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of IT in London
✨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 Cathcart Technology 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 Cathcart Technology 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 Cathcart Technology!
✨Direct Apply to Cathcart Technology
Let's not forget to apply directly through the Cathcart Technology 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 London
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 Cathcart Technology.
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 Cathcart Technology. 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 Cathcart Technology
✨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.
