Interim CTO / CIO Advisor - Retail & Omnichannel Technology in London

Interim CTO / CIO Advisor - Retail & Omnichannel Technology in London

London Freelance 80000 - 100000 £ / year (est.) No working from home possible
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At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead a tech review for a major UK retailer, translating findings into actionable insights.
  • Company: Intelance, a leading advisory firm in technology and cybersecurity.
  • Benefits: Flexible day rate, high-impact work, and collaboration with a senior expert team.
  • Other info: Immediate start for an intensive eight-week project with significant career impact.
  • Why this job: Make a real difference in a board-level technology audit and shape future strategies.
  • Qualifications: Senior tech leadership experience in retail or high-volume customer sectors required.

The predicted salary is between 80000 - 100000 £ per year.

Intelance is an independent enterprise architecture, technology and cybersecurity advisory firm. We have been appointed to lead a board-level, independent technology and data review for a large UK omnichannel retailer. We are building a senior expert team for an intensive eight week diagnostic, running from early July. We are looking for a seasoned technology leader who has run technology at scale and can translate deep technical findings into clear decisions a board can act on.

Tasks

  • You will be the senior operating voice on the review team, working alongside our enterprise architects, engineers and specialists. Your job is to turn what we find into clear, costed choices the board can decide on.
  • Review the current technology estate across stores, ecommerce, app, loyalty, customer service, supply chain, data, finance systems and core platforms.
  • Assess whether the current technology can support the business plan over the next three to five years.
  • Review home-built platforms and advise what should be kept, fixed, bought, replaced, retired or simplified.
  • Test whether the technology team structure is the right size and shape for the business.
  • Review technology spend and help identify where cost may be too high or not clearly linked to business value.
  • Challenge architecture, platform, supplier and build-versus-buy decisions.
  • Help turn technical findings into plain English messages for senior leaders.
  • Support the creation of a Board ready report, heatmap, roadmap and decision pack.
  • Work with specialists across engineering, cyber, data, supply chain technology, finance systems and organisation design.

Requirements

  • We are looking for someone with strong senior technology leadership experience.
  • You should have experience as a CTO, CIO, Technology Director, Chief Architect, VP Engineering, or senior technology adviser.
  • Strong experience in retail, ecommerce, omnichannel, consumer, hospitality, grocery, health retail, or another high volume customer facing sector.
  • Experience reviewing complex technology estates, not just delivering individual projects.
  • Good understanding of store systems, ecommerce platforms, mobile apps, loyalty, CRM, data platforms, APIs, cloud, integration, cyber, service operations and supplier management.
  • Ability to judge what should be built in-house and what should be bought from the market.
  • Ability to review technology team size, structure, capability, cost and delivery pace.
  • Ability to explain technical issues in clear, simple English to non-technical senior leaders.
  • Strong commercial judgement. You must be able to link technology choices to sales, margin, customer experience, stock availability, cost and risk.
  • Availability to support proposal activity immediately, with potential delivery work over an eight week audit period.

Benefits

  • This is a senior associate opportunity with Intelance.
  • What is on offer: Short-term, high impact advisory work.
  • Potential involvement in a Board level technology audit for a major UK business.
  • Flexible day rate associate model.
  • Clear role boundaries and defined workstream input.
  • Opportunity to work with a senior team across enterprise architecture, engineering, cyber, data, AI, supply chain and finance systems.
  • Work that is focused on real business decisions, not generic consulting slides.

Please apply with:

  • Your CV and LinkedIn profile
  • Your availability over the next two weeks
  • Your day rate
  • Whether you are available to attend a short proposal discussion at short notice

We are moving quickly, so suitable candidates may be contacted immediately.

Interim CTO / CIO Advisor - Retail & Omnichannel Technology in London employer: Intelance

Intelance is an exceptional employer, offering a unique opportunity to engage in high-impact advisory work within the dynamic retail and omnichannel technology sector. Our collaborative work culture fosters innovation and professional growth, allowing you to contribute to meaningful board-level decisions while working alongside a team of seasoned experts. With flexible engagement models and a focus on real business outcomes, Intelance provides an environment where your expertise can truly make a difference.

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Contact Details:

Intelance Recruitment Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land Interim CTO / CIO Advisor - Retail & Omnichannel Technology in London

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We think you need these skills to ace Interim CTO / CIO Advisor - Retail & Omnichannel Technology in London

Senior Technology Leadership
Retail Experience
Ecommerce Knowledge
Omnichannel Strategy
Technology Estate Review
Store Systems Understanding
Mobile App Development

Some tips for your application 🫡

Show Off Your Tech Toolbox:Let’s be real: in IT consulting, your skills and tools can make or break the project. Make sure your CV includes a solid list of the technologies you’ve worked with and any specific programming languages you're fluent in. If you’ve got experience with project management tools, like JIRA or Trello, shout about that too! It shows you're not just a tech head, but you can manage the chaos too.

Your Portfolio is Your Best Mate:As a freelancer, your portfolio is your calling card. Make it shine! Include case studies of projects you’ve worked on that highlight your problem-solving skills and the impact of your work. Make sure to detail the challenges faced and how you overcame them—clients love to see tangible results. A well-structured portfolio is your best chance to impress!

Tailor Your Approach:Unlike full-time applications, freelance gigs need that personal touch. Write a cover letter that doesn't just highlight your skills but also your understanding of Intelance and what they’re looking for. Explain how your unique approach can solve their challenges. This kind of personalisation shows you care and sets you apart from the cookie-cutter applications.

Be Clear on Your Rates and Availability:When applying for freelance roles, clarity is key! Include your rates and availability upfront in your application to avoid any confusion later. This honesty will save both you and Intelance time, and it shows you’re serious about doing business. We believe it’s best to be transparent right from the get-go!

How to prepare for a job interview at Intelance

Showcase Your Problem-Solving Skills

In IT consulting, they’ll want to see how you tackle real-life client issues. Prepare to discuss specific case studies from your freelance experience where you've demonstrated your problem-solving prowess. Come armed with examples that highlight the strategies you used and the results achieved.

Pitch Your Portfolio Like a Pro

As a freelancer, your portfolio is your calling card. Make sure it’s not just a collection of past projects but a narrative of your journey. Be ready to discuss how each project reflects your capability and how you can bring value to Intelance. Tailor this pitch to highlight projects that align closely with what they seek.

Brush Up on the Latest Tech Trends

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