At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead regional IT operations and ensure alignment with global technology standards.
- Company: Join Spin Master, a global leader in children's entertainment and toys.
- Benefits: Flexible work hours, comprehensive benefits, and opportunities for growth.
- Other info: Inclusive culture with a commitment to accessibility and career advancement.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a fun, innovative environment while leading a talented IT team.
- Qualifications: 10+ years in IT, with strong leadership and people management skills.
The predicted salary is between 90000 - 120000 £ per year.
Please Note: If you are a current Spin Master employee with access to Workday, apply to this job via the Workday application.
Are you a kid at heart looking to build a career with a leading global children's toy, entertainment and digital gaming company? At Spin Master, our unwavering commitment to open mindedness, integrity and innovation is a great part of what has made us an industry leader. How do we stay ahead of the pack? By hiring the best and brightest minds—and that’s why we want you!
Spin Master is a leading global children's entertainment company, creating exceptional play experiences through its three creative centres: Toys, Entertainment and Digital Games. With distribution in over 100 countries, Spin Master is best known for award-winning brands PAW Patrol®, Bakugan®, Kinetic Sand®, Air Hogs®, Hatchimals®, Rubik’s Cube® and GUND®, and is the global toy licensee for other popular properties.
The Senior Director, Information Technology for the region is the senior-most IT leader responsible for local IT operations and service delivery. This role provides critical on-the-ground leadership, directly managing the regional IT team and budget to deliver services that meet local business needs. As the primary IT partner to regional stakeholders, the Senior Director ensures that local execution aligns with global standards for technology and cybersecurity, while also providing essential regional input into the global IT strategy, project portfolio, and vendor agreements. Reporting to the VP, IT Business Relationship Management, with dotted-line reporting into VP, Integrated Technology Services, this position is pivotal in balancing regional agility with global strategy to drive operational excellence.
What will you work on?
- Directly oversee regional IT operations, including service delivery and end-user support.
- Be accountable for regional IT Service Level Agreements (SLAs) in your region.
- Review key operational metrics, identify areas for improvement, and direct the team to resolve critical issues and maintain service excellence.
- Partner with the enterprise IT infrastructure and cybersecurity teams to implement and enforce corporate standards and policies within the region.
- Function as the primary IT partner for business stakeholders within the region to understand their priorities and identify opportunities where technology can create business value.
- Translate regional business requirements into actionable IT initiatives.
- Collaborate with enterprise IT teams in Toronto so regional priorities help shape the enterprise IT roadmap.
- Communicate the enterprise IT strategy and initiatives to regional business leaders and the local IT team, ensuring alignment and buy-in.
- Drive rapid, local incident resolution, collaborating closely with corporate owners to respect governance.
- Drive regional adoption of corporate tools (ServiceNow, Jira) by securing local buy-in and collaborating with corporate team on tailored implementation plans.
People Leadership & Development
- Lead, mentor, and develop a regional team of IT professionals, including IT Managers, System Engineers, and Service Delivery Analysts, fostering a culture of high performance, collaboration, and accountability.
- Manage team performance, set clear objectives (in partnership with enterprise IT leadership), and conduct regular performance reviews to ensure alignment with departmental and corporate goals.
- Develop and execute strategic workforce plans for the region, including succession planning and talent development, to build a high-performing and engaged IT team.
What are your skills and experience?
- 10+ years of relevant experience in Information Technology, with at least 5 years in a leadership role managing technical teams and/or other managers.
- Proven experience in people management, including hiring, developing, and managing the performance of a diverse IT team.
- Strong understanding of IT operations, including infrastructure management, service delivery, and IT support.
- Demonstrated ability to develop and maintain strong relationships with senior business stakeholders and act as a trusted advisor while balancing enterprise objectives.
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to influence and negotiate outcomes.
- Fiscal planning and budget management experience.
What you can expect from us:
- Our mission is to Make Life More Fun with a vision to push the boundaries of innovation, creativity, and fun.
- Growth and Career Opportunities
- Flexible Work Hours
- Innovation, Collaboration and Fun
- Comprehensive Benefits
- Other fun Perks!
What’s it like to work here?
Spin Master is a fast-paced, hands-on organization that provides many great opportunities for impactful decision-making; though our challenging start-up atmosphere isn’t for everyone, we have a proven record of opportunities for future advancement and internal transfers for our passionate and results driven team.
Everyone is welcome in our sandbox and we are committed to an accessible and inclusive hiring process that provides reasonable accommodation to all applicants. Spin Master strives to create an accessible and inclusive application and selection process and is committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodation to job applicants who may require provisions to participate in the recruitment, selection and/or assessment processes. Should you require an accommodation, please contact our Talent Acquisition team, by email at JobsEU@spinmaster.com and we will work with you to meet your accessibility needs.
We do appreciate all interest; however only those selected for interview will be contacted.
Senior Director, Information Technology EMEA in Marlow employer: Spin Master International
At Spin Master, we pride ourselves on being a leading global children's entertainment company that fosters a vibrant and inclusive work culture. Our commitment to innovation and creativity is matched by our dedication to employee growth, offering flexible work hours and comprehensive benefits that support a healthy work-life balance. Join us in our mission to Make Life More Fun, where your contributions will directly impact the joy of play for children around the world.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Director, Information Technology EMEA in Marlow
✨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 Spin Master International 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 Spin Master International 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 Spin Master International!
✨Direct Apply to Spin Master International
Let's not forget to apply directly through the Spin Master International 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 Senior Director, Information Technology EMEA in Marlow
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 Spin Master International.
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 Spin Master International. 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 Spin Master International
✨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.
