Head of IT in Southampton

Our client is a well-established organisation providing essential transport services within the UK, connecting communities and supporting local economies. With a commitment to reliability, customer service, and sustainability, the business is investing in modern technology and infrastructure to enhance its operations. The company plays a key role in facilitating travel and logistics in a dynamic environment, offering opportunities to contribute to innovative projects and long-term growth.

As Head of IT, you will lead the organisation’s technology and digital strategy, ensuring that IT operations deliver exceptional service and operational excellence. This is a hands-on leadership role, combining technical expertise with a strong focus on people development, collaboration, and innovation. You’ll oversee a talented IT division, working closely with the IT Operations Manager, Infrastructure Specialist, and Senior IT Systems Developer. Together, you’ll maintain robust cybersecurity measures and ensure a 24/7 helpdesk service for internal customers, supporting the wider business and enhancing the external customer experience.

Your remit will include developing and maintaining the organisation’s IT strategy, aligning technology initiatives with business goals, and driving innovation to optimise processes and deliver business value. You’ll act as a strategic partner to other departments, identifying and implementing digital solutions that support their operations.

The role involves managing the design, implementation, and maintenance of IT infrastructure, including networks, servers, and databases, while ensuring systems are scalable and reliable to support future growth. You’ll also be responsible for hardware and software asset management, cybersecurity strategy, data protection protocols, and compliance with privacy regulations. You’ll manage the IT budget, oversee vendor relationships, and lead IT projects from planning through to execution. Collaboration with cross-functional teams will be key as you implement organisation-wide software solutions and systems, identify challenges and opportunities, and execute change management strategies.

Regular reporting on IT performance, system uptime, security incidents, and project progress to senior leadership is expected. You’ll also play a vital role in coaching and developing rising talent within the IT team, fostering a culture of continuous learning and high performance to keep the team up to date with the latest technologies and industry trends.

To be successful in this position, you will need a bachelor’s degree or higher in Information Technology, Computer Science, or a closely related field. You should bring proven experience in IT management or a similar leadership role, along with up-to-date certifications such as PTIA, CCNA, Microsoft Azure, or equivalent. A solid understanding of PowerShell scripting and the ability to quickly adapt to new computing languages are essential. You’ll need a strong knowledge of IT systems, networks, hardware, software, and cloud services. Experience in identifying, guiding, and delivering cross-functional AI solutions is highly valued, as is expertise in cybersecurity, data privacy, and risk management. Candidates should have a track record of successful enterprise-level software and system implementations, and be comfortable managing multiple projects simultaneously.

Exceptional leadership and team management skills are required, with the ability to mentor and engage a diverse IT team. You must be able to communicate technical concepts clearly to non-technical stakeholders and build strong relationships across departments. Strategic thinking, sound decision-making, and a focus on long-term growth and cost-effectiveness are key attributes for this role. A thorough understanding of IT compliance standards and regulations is necessary, as is the ability to respond effectively to change and challenges. The ideal candidate will demonstrate a commitment to continuous improvement, innovation, and professional development, ensuring the IT function remains at the forefront of industry trends and best practice.

What you’ll get in return: Pension Scheme, Flexible Working, Employee Assistance & Wellbeing, Discounts & Perks.