At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead IT strategy and develop a high-performing tech team across multiple sites.
- Company: Join Hiddenwell Group, a growing leader in hospitality with a focus on technology.
- Benefits: Enjoy perks like spa days, discounts, and a supportive work environment.
- Other info: Exciting opportunities for career growth and professional development await you.
- Why this job: Shape the future of technology in hospitality while making a real impact.
- Qualifications: Proven IT leadership experience and strong people management skills required.
The predicted salary is between 63000 - 77000 £ per year.
Hiddenwell is looking for an experienced and commercially minded Head of IT to lead our technology strategy across our growing estate. Reporting to the Group Commercial Director, this is a senior leadership role with responsibility for IT strategy, investment, information security governance, resilience and supplier performance. You’ll ensure our technology is reliable, secure and scalable, while helping shape how technology supports our teams, our properties and the guest experience as Hiddenwell continues to grow.
You’ll lead and develop the IT team and work closely with senior stakeholders, technology partners and our Managed Service Provider to deliver an effective, service-led IT function.
What You’ll Do
- Lead our IT strategy
- Developing and delivering an IT strategy aligned with Hiddenwell’s wider business objectives
- Leading and developing the IT team across infrastructure, service desk, networks, cyber security and cloud operations
- Sponsoring major technology and service improvement projects
- Leading the technology workstream for new property openings and acquisitions, ensuring systems, infrastructure and connectivity are ready for launch
- Building an excellent service culture within IT, aligned with Hiddenwell’s values and the needs of our teams and guests
Protect our business
- Owning our information security strategy and continually strengthen our cyber security maturity
- Ensuring appropriate compliance with standards and requirements including GDPR, PCI DSS, Cyber Essentials/Cyber Essentials+ and ISO 27001
- Overseeing cyber threat monitoring, detection and incident response, taking the lead on significant incidents
- Developing, maintaining and testing disaster recovery and cyber recovery arrangements
- Ensuring key technology partners have appropriate security and resilience measures in place
Develop our Technology
- Overseeing our on-premises and cloud infrastructure, ensuring high availability, performance and scalability
- Driving a cloud-first approach, making effective use of cloud technologies wherever appropriate
- Ensuring the technology supporting our guest experience is reliable, secure and effectively integrated with our core business systems
- Identifying opportunities to use technology to improve efficiency, service and the overall guest and team experience
Manage suppliers, investment and governance
- Leading the selection and ongoing management of Managed Service Providers and other key technology partners
- Owning and managing the IT budget, balancing investment, performance and value
- Supporting annual capital expenditure planning by providing technology requirements and forecasts
- Developing IT policies, procedures and governance frameworks that can scale as the organisation grows
- Monitoring supplier SLAs, KPIs and performance to ensure consistently high standards of service
About You
You’ll be an experienced technology leader who can combine technical knowledge with commercial thinking and strong people leadership. You’ll be comfortable operating at senior level, but equally able to understand what is happening operationally across a multi-site estate.
We’re looking for someone with:
- Significant IT leadership and people management experience
- Experience managing technology across a multi-site environment
- Excellent knowledge of information security, cyber risk and technology resilience
- Cloud infrastructure experience
- Experience managing MSPs and third-party technology suppliers
- Budget ownership and extensive commercial management skills
- Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills, with the ability to make complex technical information accessible to non-technical audiences
Experience within hospitality, leisure or retail would be particularly valuable, as would experience with Cyber Essentials, ISO 27001 or ITIL. Experience supporting acquisitions, integrations, property openings or digital transformation would also be an advantage.
What Success Looks Like
You’ll help us deliver:
- Reliable and highly available technology across the Hiddenwell estate
- A clear and effective technology roadmap that supports our continued growth
- Stronger cyber security and technology resilience
- Successful technology delivery for new property openings and acquisitions
- Effective supplier relationships and consistently strong service performance
- Technology investment that delivers genuine value for the business
Additional Information:
- Working 40 hours per week
- Working 5 days out of 7
- Hold a UK Driving Licence and access to own car (travel required)
- Hold the relevant Right to Work in the UK, not requiring future sponsorship
Why Join Us
- Complimentary Spa Day on work anniversaries at any of our company spas
- Coffee, tea and snacks from our kitchen
- Complimentary use of leisure and spa facilities
- Access to the Employee Assistance Program
- 30% discount on overnight stays and spa days
- Discounts on food, drink and retail across our venues
- Pension scheme
- Free Parking
- Refer-a-Friend scheme
- Excellent Induction and training programme
- Perkbox Online benefits and discounts
- On-line Doctor support (appointments/prescriptions)
- A fun, supportive and inclusive work environment with loads of development opportunities
People say you can’t choose your family, well we choose you to be part of ours.
Head of IT employer: Hiddenwell
Hoar Cross Hall is an exceptional employer that prioritises work/life balance while offering a vibrant and supportive kitchen environment. As a Senior Sous Chef, you will enjoy a structured 40-hour week with competitive benefits, including complimentary spa days, discounts across our venues, and a focus on employee development. Join us in a picturesque setting where your culinary skills can flourish alongside your career growth.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of IT
✨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 Hiddenwell 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 Hiddenwell 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 Hiddenwell!
✨Direct Apply to Hiddenwell
Let's not forget to apply directly through the Hiddenwell 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
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 Hiddenwell.
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 Hiddenwell. 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 Hiddenwell
✨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.
