At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and transform our IT function while developing a high-performing team.
- Company: Join ME+EM, a fast-growing luxury fashion brand with a vibrant culture.
- Benefits: Enjoy 33 days annual leave, generous discounts, and a fun work environment.
- Other info: Diversity and inclusion are at our core; we welcome all applicants.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a dynamic retail setting with exciting technology challenges.
- Qualifications: Senior IT leadership experience and strong technical background required.
The predicted salary is between 66150 - 80850 £ per year.
Reporting to: Director of IT and Systems
Location: Head Office, White City Place, West London
Contract Type: Full time, 37.5 hours per week
About Us: ME+EM is one of the UK’s fastest-growing luxury fashion brands. In addition to a thriving global digital presence, we operate flagship stores in London and Edinburgh, Manchester, Bath & Harrogate and concessions within Harrods and Selfridges, and have recently expanded with new store openings in the U.S.
At ME+EM we are an entrepreneurial, creative, and passionate group of people. We work hard, are enthusiastic to learn and are not afraid to take risks. Everyone contributes to our success at all levels, and that precisely what makes being a member of the team so rewarding.
Our office and stores are always busy and fast paced, but we work just as hard to make sure it’s fun, with social activities and biannual parties. We pride ourselves on being approachable, supportive, and welcoming and ensure that everyone’s hard work is rewarded. It takes all these things to build a strong, successful business and our door is always open to new talent ready to contribute to our growth and evolution.
About the Role: We’re looking for a hands-on, commercially minded Head of IT to lead and transform our technology function as we continue to scale as a leading UK women’s fashion retailer. This is a senior leadership role for someone who has come up through a strong technical engineering background and can move seamlessly between hands-on technical problem-solving and strategic leadership. You’ll lead our IT team, modernise our technology estate and ensure we deliver a secure, scalable and exceptional technology experience across our HQ and growing global retail network. You’ll be comfortable troubleshooting complex infrastructure one minute and presenting technology strategy to senior leadership the next.
Job Responsibilities
- Lead & Develop
- Lead, coach and develop a high-performing IT team.
- Build a culture of accountability, collaboration and continuous improvement.
- Attract and retain exceptional technical talent.
- Develop a scalable IT structure, succession plans and clear technical career paths.
- Technical Leadership
- Own and evolve our hybrid cloud and on-premise infrastructure.
- Oversee our Apple and Windows estate, including JAMF, Intune and Apple Business Manager.
- Lead Microsoft 365, Google Workspace, Entra ID, SSO and identity management.
- Act as the senior escalation point for complex infrastructure, networking, security and systems issues.
- Own infrastructure security, patching, disaster recovery and resilience.
- Set high technical and architectural standards across internal teams and suppliers.
- Business & Commercial
- Develop and deliver an IT strategy aligned to business growth.
- Build a proactive, high-performing service model across HQ and our retail estate.
- Manage technology partners and suppliers, ensuring strong commercial and operational performance.
- Introduce meaningful KPIs and OKRs focused on business impact, automation and user experience.
- Lead major technology change, migrations and rollouts with minimal business disruption.
- Technology Adoption
- Make IT a trusted business partner across the organisation.
- Improve technology adoption through education, self-service and clear communication.
- Ensure technology supports the pace of the business, particularly during critical trading periods.
- Continuously identify opportunities to modernise, automate and improve.
Skills & Experience
- Experience
- Senior IT leadership experience within a complex, fast-paced £250m+ business, ideally retail, e-commerce or consumer.
- Strong technical roots, having progressed through engineering roles such as Infrastructure, Network, Systems or Cloud Engineering.
- Experience managing multi-site and/or international technology environments.
- Strong understanding of the demands of retail and customer-facing technology.
- Technical
- Cloud & virtualisation
- Microsoft 365, Google Workspace & Entra ID
- JAMF, Intune & Apple Business Manager
- Networking, VPN, SD-WAN, firewalls & Wi-Fi
- Security, disaster recovery & infrastructure resilience
- PowerShell, Bash or Python scripting is a plus.
- The Person
- Technically credible – you can challenge engineers, consultants and suppliers.
- Commercially pragmatic – you know when to push for the best solution and when to move quickly.
- A strong leader – you build, motivate and develop great teams.
- A problem solver – calm, hands-on and comfortable with complexity.
- A great communicator – able to turn technical detail into clear business outcomes.
- Proactive and ambitious – always looking for ways to improve, automate and modernise.
Employee Benefits:
- 33 days annual leave for full time employees (25 days holiday + 8 bank holidays)
- A day off to celebrate your birthday.
- Pension Scheme
- Group Life Insurance
- Employee Assistance Programme (EAP)
- Length of Service Award
- Refer a Friend Scheme
- Staff uniform for retail employees
- Generous Staff and Friends and Family Discount
- Annual Volunteer Day
- Cycle to Work Scheme
- Tech Scheme
- Eye Care Vouchers
- Real Living Wage Employer
- Employee led committees
- Social events and biannual parties
- Enhanced maternity and paternity package after 2 years of service.
ME+EM is an equal opportunities employer committed to fostering and preserving a culture of diversity, equality, and inclusion in our workforce. As an equal opportunities’ employer, we do not discriminate against applicants based on race, colour, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status. We believe that diversity enriches our workforce and strengthens our organisation. Therefore, we encourage minorities, LGBTQ+ candidates, and individuals with disabilities to apply for opportunities within our company.
Please email [email protected] should you require any adjustments needed to take part in this recruitment process.
Please note, due to the large number of applications we receive, we can only reply to those that are successful to the next stage.
Head of IT in London employer: Me+Em
At ME+EM, we pride ourselves on being an entrepreneurial and creative workplace where every team member's contributions are valued. Located in the vibrant White City Place, West London, we offer a dynamic work environment with ample opportunities for professional growth, a supportive culture, and generous employee benefits including 33 days of annual leave and a day off for your birthday. Join us to be part of a fast-growing luxury fashion brand that champions diversity and fosters a fun, collaborative atmosphere.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of IT in London
✨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 Me+Em 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 Me+Em 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 Me+Em!
✨Direct Apply to Me+Em
Let's not forget to apply directly through the Me+Em 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 in London
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 Me+Em.
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 Me+Em. 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 Me+Em
✨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.
