IT Operations & Strategy Lead

Fairview Health Ltd is seeking an experienced and versatile IT Operations & Strategy Lead to establish and lead our technology function. As the company’s senior IT leader, you will be responsible for the full spectrum of IT, from high‑level strategy and roadmap development to the hands‑on management of all day‑to‑day operations and development projects. This is a unique opportunity to build and shape the IT function from the ground up, supporting our significant business growth. You will be solely responsible for ensuring our systems are stable, compliant, and scalable, while concurrently developing the long‑term technology vision and a business case for the future IT team.

Key Responsibilities

• Strategic Planning & Leadership
  • Develop and own the company’s IT strategy and technology roadmap, ensuring alignment with business objectives.
  • Act as the primary technology adviser to the senior leadership team.
  • Manage the IT budget, including operational expenditure and future investment planning.
  • Develop and present business cases for future IT investments, including new systems and the optimal team structure.
  • Manage all IT vendor, supplier, and support contracts.
• IT Operations & Compliance
  • Assume full, hands‑on ownership of the day‑to‑day operation and monitoring of all business‑critical IT systems (e.g., Inventory Management, Finance, PMR, Web Portals).
  • Ensure all IT operations and data processing comply with GMDP, IG, GDPR, Cyber Security, and NHS Information Governance standards.
  • Act as the primary escalation point for 2nd and 3rd line support, directly troubleshooting and resolving critical application issues.
  • Oversee and maintain all system validation processes, documentation, and audit trails in line with regulatory requirements.
• Project & Development Management
  • Lead and manage all IT projects, including system upgrades, migrations, and new implementations.
  • Engage with business units to gather and define requirements for system enhancements and new platforms.
  • Manage relationships with third‑party vendors and external development partners to ensure projects are delivered on time and to specification.

Strong leadership, self‑motivation, and stakeholder‑management abilities. A pragmatic and hands‑on approach, with a proven ability to manage both strategic level planning and detailed operational tasks. Excellent analytical, problem‑solving, and decision‑making skills. Proven project‑management and organisational skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities simultaneously. Strong understanding of IT compliance in a regulated environment. Excellent communication skills, with the ability to explain complex technical concepts to non‑technical audiences.

Qualifications & Experience

• Degree in Information Technology, Computer Science, or equivalent experience.
• Minimum 7 years’ experience in IT, with at least 3 years in a senior or managerial role.
• Proven experience managing both day‑to‑day IT operations and complex IT development/implementation projects.
• Demonstrable experience in a regulated environment (e.g., pharmaceutical, healthcare).
• Practical knowledge of system validation and compliance frameworks (GMDP, GDPR, NHS IG).
• Proven experience in vendor selection, contract management, and budgeting.
• Experience building or scaling an IT function is highly desirable.

Additional Requirements

• Must have the right to work in the UK.
• Willingness to travel between company sites as required.
• Must be able to stay up to date with emerging technologies, methodologies, and regulatory standards.