At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead IT strategy and operations, ensuring top-notch technology performance across venues.
- Company: Join Metropolitan Gaming, where energy and atmosphere meet exceptional service.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive pay, discounts, perks, and a supportive work environment.
- Other info: Great opportunities for career development in a fast-paced, exciting industry.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a dynamic role that drives innovation and growth.
- Qualifications: 8-10 years of IT leadership experience and a collaborative mindset.
The predicted salary is between 80000 - 100000 £ per year.
About Us
Metropolitan Gaming is about more than the games or the buzz of the venue. It’s about energy, atmosphere, and service that’s sharp and in sync with the moment.
Why Join Us
A place to grow, not just a job. You’ll be recognised for great work and given opportunities to build your skills and grow your career. Alongside competitive pay, you can also:
- Discounts and perks across travel, retail, hospitality, and wellbeing
- Company pension scheme and life insurance cover
- Discount on food and non-alcoholic beverages across all venues
- Season ticket loan and cycle to work scheme
- Refer a friend bonus reward
What We Are Looking For
The Head of IT is responsible for the strategic leadership, management, IT security, and operational performance of all technology systems across the head office and UK venues. This role ensures the availability, integrity, and security of gaming and non-gaming technology platforms and users while supporting business growth, regulatory compliance, exceptional user experience, and operational efficiency.
Main Responsibilities
- IT Strategy and Business Alignment: Develop, communicate, and execute Metropolitan Gaming's technology strategy, ensuring alignment with the organisation's commercial objectives, operational priorities, and growth plans. Partner with Executive Leadership and business stakeholders to identify opportunities where technology can improve customer experience, operational efficiency, revenue generation, and regulatory compliance.
- IT Governance, Budget Management, and Financial Control: Develop and manage the annual IT operating and capital expenditure budgets, ensuring effective allocation of resources and alignment with business priorities. Monitor and control IT expenditure, identifying opportunities for cost optimisation while maintaining service quality and operational resilience.
- IT Operations and Service Delivery: Oversee all day-to-day IT operations across gaming venues, corporate offices, and remote locations. Ensure critical gaming systems operate within agreed operating levels, minimising downtime and business disruption. Establish and monitor service management processes, including Incident, Problem, Change, Configuration, and Asset Management.
- Gaming Systems, Player Technology, and Business Applications: Oversee the management and support of casino gaming systems, gaming management platforms, electronic gaming machines, and related operational technologies. Support the implementation and optimisation of data analytics platforms to provide actionable business intelligence and customer insights.
- Cybersecurity, Risk Management, and Business Continuity: Develop and maintain a comprehensive cybersecurity strategy that protects business operations, customer information, financial assets, and gaming systems. Lead cyber risk assessments, vulnerability management, penetration testing, and security awareness programmes. Maintain business continuity and disaster recovery plans. Present cyber risk assessments and mitigation strategies to executive leadership and governance committees.
- Regulatory Compliance and Data Protection: Ensure compliance with gaming industry regulations, licensing requirements, and technology controls across all jurisdictions. Maintain compliance with UK GDPR, Data Protection Act requirements, PCI-DSS, and other relevant regulatory frameworks.
- Infrastructure, Cloud Services, Networks, and Telecommunications: Lead the management of enterprise infrastructure, including servers, storage, virtualisation platforms, cloud services, and endpoint technologies. Oversee network architecture, performance, resilience, and security across all locations. Develop infrastructure standards and lifecycle management plans to ensure technology remains secure, supported, and fit for purpose.
- Service Desk and End User Support: Ensure delivery of high-quality Service Desk and End User Support services that meet agreed performance targets. Drive continual improvement of support processes, knowledge management, and self-service capabilities. Monitor customer satisfaction metrics and implement initiatives to improve user experience. Ensure effective onboarding, offboarding, device management, and workplace technology support.
- Vendor and Supplier Management: Establish and manage strategic relationships with technology vendors, suppliers, managed service providers, and gaming technology partners. Lead contract negotiations, renewals, and procurement activities to achieve commercial value and service excellence.
- Project and Change Management: Sponsor and govern technology projects and programmes, ensuring successful delivery within scope, budget, and timeline. Establish project governance frameworks and reporting mechanisms. Prioritise project portfolios based on business value, risk, and resource availability. Ensure benefits realisation is measured and reported following project completion.
- Leadership, People Management, and Culture: Lead, mentor, and develop IT managers and team members, fostering a culture of accountability, innovation, collaboration, and continuous improvement. Build strong relationships with business stakeholders and act as a trusted advisor on technology matters.
- Reporting and Executive Stakeholder Management: Produce regular executive reports covering operational performance, cybersecurity posture, project status, risk management, compliance, and financial performance. Present technology strategies, investment proposals, and operational updates to executive.
Who You Are
- Bachelor's degree in IT, Computer Science, or related field.
- 8–10 years of progressive IT leadership experience.
- 3–5 years in a senior IT management role.
- Experience in regulated or 24/7 operational environments.
- Experience of working with outsource service providers.
- Will be required to either hold or apply to be a PML holder.
- Collaborative, proactive, and customer-focused approach within a fast-paced environment.
- Excellent organisational, problem-solving, analytical, and critical thinking skills with the ability to prioritise and meet deadlines.
Head of IT employer: Metropolitan Gaming
Metropolitan Gaming is an exceptional employer that prioritises employee growth and development, offering a dynamic work environment where your contributions are recognised and rewarded. With competitive pay, comprehensive benefits including discounts across various sectors, and a strong focus on career advancement, you will thrive in a culture that values innovation and collaboration. Located in vibrant venues across the UK, you will be part of a team that not only drives operational excellence but also enhances customer experiences in the gaming industry.
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 Metropolitan Gaming 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 Metropolitan Gaming 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 Metropolitan Gaming!
✨Direct Apply to Metropolitan Gaming
Let's not forget to apply directly through the Metropolitan Gaming 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 Metropolitan Gaming.
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 Metropolitan Gaming. 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 Metropolitan Gaming
✨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.
