IT Director

Are you an experienced CIO / CDIO who loves dogs and is searching for a purposeful role, leading a brilliant team to deliver huge impact for dog welfare? We are recruiting for an IT Director (CIO/CDIO) to lead the next phase of our IT transformation to unlock the capability of the brilliant technology stack we’ve put in place – Salesforce, Informatica, Snowflake, etc., and to take responsibility for the smooth day-to-day running of all Dogs Trust technology. As we implement our new strategy, technology is a critical enabler for us to deliver our services to dogs and their humans.

This role reports into our deputy CEO, so is not a member of the Executive Team, but will be the trusted advisor to the Executive Team and our Board of Trustees on all technology matters. They will be an instrumental part of the Director leadership team who are responsible for all functional departments across the organisation.

What does this role do?

• Develop, lead and continually refine Dogs Trust technology development strategy, ensuring it remains aligned to organisational goals and will continue to deliver digital priorities and ongoing transformation - leveraging technology to deliver greater impact.
• Lead, develop, manage and coach the IT senior team, and through them the wider directorate, fostering a culture of collaboration, continuous improvement and inclusion.
• Lead the establishment and maintenance of robust enterprise architecture principles and procedures to ensure coherence, scalability and sustainability of systems and data.
• Lead the design, development and continuous improvement of digital platforms, applications and services, ensuring seamless integration into back-end technology and excellent user experience for staff, volunteers, supporters, customers and optimal outcomes for dogs and their owners.
• Oversee IT project and programme management, ensuring dependencies are managed and initiatives are delivered on time, within budget and to agreed quality standards.
• Lead and support all Heads of Department to effectively deliver all aspects of the strategy. Maintain oversight of each activity, maximising excellence and ensuring compliance with relevant legislation and best practice.
• Ensure heads of department have the appropriate resources to deliver the development strategy, including key areas such as cyber security, and all risks are appropriately managed through policies, procedures and controls.
• Drive service excellence through clear SLAs, performance monitoring and continuous service improvement.
• Set, own and manage the technology budget, ensuring effective financial planning, cost control and value for money in infrastructure and consumables.
• Contribute to the development of a shared approach to activities across the DCEO division and play an active role in the wider organisation senior leadership team, contributing to organisational strategy, and cross functional planning and delivery.
• Ensure strong governance, documentation and reporting across all technology domains.

Could this be you?

To be successful in this busy role you’ll have experience in a similar position, with demonstrable working knowledge of technology transformation and enhancing customer service, through a deep understanding of the organisations’ operational needs. You’ll be highly engaging, able to explain technical concepts to business users, able to motivate the IT team to deliver to a high standard and within budget. You’ll have experience of the technology and platforms we have put in place and know how to get the best out of our investment, whilst staying true to our values.

You’ll be adept at managing people and stakeholders, who may have differing agendas, and you’ll be strategic in how you approach problems and opportunities, setting direction and engaging your team and the organisation to deliver. You’ll also have excellent communication skills, with strong supplier management credentials, to get the best out of our strategic partners.

What does this team do?

The IT Directorate plays the central role in delivering Dogs Trust’s digital and technology strategy. With a team of around 50 permanent plus 20 fixed term contract staff, the directorate provides specialist support across IT operations, software development, innovation, data, security and architecture. It partners with colleagues across the charity to deliver effective, secure and user-focused systems and services, enabling staff to work efficiently and supporting the organisation’s long-term goals.

Enterprise Architecture Department defines and governs Dogs Trust’s technology strategy, ensuring solutions are scalable, secure, and aligned with business goals. It provides technical and business process leadership, drives innovation and oversees an enterprise-wide architecture to enable digital transformation and operational efficiency.

Cyber Security & Technology Services Department consists of Cyber Security & Infrastructure Engineers. The department works to protect systems, networks, and data from threats while maintaining the IT systems that support daily operations. They ensure business continuity and safeguarding against potential disruptions caused by security incidents or infrastructure failures.

Data Engineering Department develops and supports multiple, predominantly SaaS-based data platforms across the charity, primarily utilising core platforms like Snowflake, Tableau, and Informatica. They collaborate closely with other functions to deliver continuous improvements and manage new transformation projects, ensuring that data systems align with and support the Dogs Trust Strategy.

Technology Platforms & Software Engineering Department develop and support multiple, predominantly SaaS based, platforms across Dogs Trust. The core platforms are Salesforce (plus various Salesforce native apps) and Marketing Cloud.

The IT Service Delivery Department delivers high-quality services and support across the organisation. It oversees the tools and platforms that optimise customer experiences, particularly in the adoption of SaaS solutions, while ensuring compliance with policies and regulations.

Please use the supporting statement section of the online application to outline your suitability for this position, including your motivation for applying and how your skills will enable the post to have a positive impact on dog welfare.

The closing date for applications is 1st February 2026 and initial screening interviews are scheduled to take place on 5th and 6th February, with face to face interviews on 11th February.