Head of Technology

About Finisterre

Born two decades ago from the needs of hardy British surfers, Finisterre creates enduring outdoor wear for an inspired life in and around the ocean. Proudly B Corp certified, we have committed to a deep belief: to make truly exceptional products in a more responsible and transparent way. Whether based at our cliff top headquarters in St. Agnes, Cornwall, or in one of our retail locations across the UK, Finisterre is a truly unique brand and career proposition.

As we enter the next exciting stage of global growth, we are on the lookout for talented individuals to join our crew. So, if you are as passionate about the ocean as we are and if you want to be part of a truly authentic, purpose‑led brand and you share our vision to create exceptional products in a responsible way, then we would love to hear from you.

About the Role

We have a great opportunity for a highly skilled and experienced tech leader to join a growing purpose led brand. Our Head of Technology owns the technology strategy and roadmap for Finisterre, translating commercial and operational priorities into a coherent plan for systems, data, infrastructure and IT. This is an exciting, hands‑on leadership role with broad accountability - spanning ERP, integrations, data, cyber, end‑user IT and other business platforms.

Key Responsibilities

• Strategy & Architecture
  • Define and own the technology roadmap, setting integration standards and the architectural framework within which our systems operate — NetSuite, Shopify, middleware, 3PL, BI tooling and other platforms across the business.
  • Input on selection, evaluation and implementation of future technology, ensuring new systems are fit for purpose and integrate coherently with the existing stack.
  • Lead the build of our data infrastructure, including data warehouse, pipelines and reporting layer, partnering with Finance, Commercial, Product, Marketing and Operations to ensure output is trusted and used.
  • Create and maintain a company‑wide data governance strategy.
  • Keep pace with the rapidly evolving technology landscape, identifying and evaluating emerging tools and trends that could meaningfully improve how Finisterre operates with particular focus on how AI and automation can improve efficiency, decision‑making and customer experience across Finisterre's operations.
  • Lead Finisterre's approach to AI - identifying where it can meaningfully improve how the business operates, evaluating tools, setting governance guardrails and ensuring adoption is pragmatic, ethical and aligned with our B Corp values.
• Systems & Operations
  • Own the ongoing development and optimisation of NetSuite, managing the ERP partner relationship to drive performance and data quality.
  • Manage the outsourced IT provider relationship, ensuring the workplace is properly set up, maintained and protected - covering end‑user computing, devices, network connectivity, identity and access management, and onboarding and offboarding processes across all Finisterre sites.
  • Lead all technology projects end‑to‑end - from scoping and solution design through to implementation and embedding.
  • Monitor system performance and make recommendations to improve the technology infrastructure.
• Security, Compliance & Governance
  • Own cyber security and data protection as a single accountability - maintaining GDPR compliance, holding the DPO relationship and leading our cyber posture.
  • Maintain the technology risk register and embed appropriate controls (change management, access reviews, incident reporting) without slowing the business down.
• Partners & Budget
  • Manage all external technology partners - from the day‑to‑day outsourced IT provider through to ERP, middleware and platform vendors - holding each to clear SLAs and delivery standards, and consolidating where the business case is clear.
  • Own the Tech & IT budget, providing the CFO with clear forecasts, cost transparency and ROI visibility.
• Team
  • Build and lead a small, high‑performing technology team - currently two Technology Assistants - mentoring and developing capability in‑house while keeping the function lean and right‑sized as the business scales.
  • Work closely with leaders across the business to understand commercial challenges, bringing clear and pragmatic technology thinking and acting as a trusted advisor on systems, data and process.

What You'll Bring to Finisterre

• Significant experience in a technology role within a multi‑channel, consumer or e‑commerce business.
• Genuine breadth across the stack with the depth to challenge partners and the judgement to know when good enough is the right answer.
• Practically fluent in AI - you understand what the tools can and can't do, know how to evaluate them without being swayed by hype, and can bring the business along on adoption in a way that's grounded and responsible.
• Confident communicator with strong interpersonal skills - you listen well, absorb different perspectives and aren't afraid to constructively challenge, earning trust across the business through credibility rather than authority.
• Hands‑on ERP experience; NetSuite and Shopify familiarity is a must.
• A track record of building data infrastructure and working with BI.
• Solid understanding of cyber security and GDPR.
• Proven at managing outsourced partners - writing SLAs, running tenders, holding suppliers to account.
• Commercially sharp and operationally minded - you evaluate technology through a practical lens, ensuring solutions work for the people using them day‑to‑day and don't create operational complexity.
• Entrepreneurial and hands‑on; you thrive in a lean environment and take ownership.
• Aligned with Finisterre's values as a B Corp - sustainability and ethics inform how you make vendor and architecture decisions.

Important: The successful candidate must, by the start of their employment, have permission to work in the UK. Please note that Finisterre are not licensed to sponsor overseas workers.

What You'll Receive From Finisterre

• We are offering a full time, permanent contract, based at our Headquarters at Wheal Kitty, St Agnes, Cornwall or remotely.
• We’ll invest in you with a competitive salary, depending on your skills and experience.
• 25 days holiday per year, plus up to 8 UK bank holidays (pro rata for part time employees).
• Additional holidays for length of service.
• Birthday day off.
• Up to 3 days of paid volunteering – we will support you in giving back to communities and causes.
• A discretionary bonus scheme, based on company performance.
• A pension scheme with Nest.
• 60% product discount for personal and gift use.
• 30% Friends and Family product discount.
• Enhanced Family Leave policies to support you in growing your family.
• Life assurance with access to an online wellbeing platform which includes, an employee assistance program, virtual GP appointments, digital gym, and a range of perks.
• Access to a range of wellbeing resources, including counselling services, cycle to work, eye tests, and wellbeing activities.
• Regular company and team social events.
• Various discounts from our B Corp community.
• Access our online Learning Library and company‑wide training sessions delivered by both internal and external trainers to support you in your ongoing development.
• An hour to spend in or by the sea every Tuesday followed by Sea Tuesday company‑wide meeting.

Closing date: We’ll be interviewing as we go along, so we’d encourage you to submit your application at the earliest opportunity, as the role may close earlier than advertised. Finisterre is committed to building diverse and inclusive teams. We celebrate difference and encourage everyone to join us and be themselves at work.