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For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead IT operations and strategy, ensuring modernisation and operational excellence.
- Company: Join a family-oriented firm in West Sussex, backed by a global parent company.
- Benefits: Enjoy hybrid working, a pension scheme with up to 10% match, and a modern office environment.
- Why this job: Be part of an exciting growth phase and drive impactful digital transformation projects.
- Qualifications: Proven senior IT leadership experience, strong technical skills, and budget management expertise required.
- Other info: Opportunity for occasional overseas travel and a close-knit team culture.
The predicted salary is between 75000 - 80000 £ per year.
Location: West Sussex (Hybrid – 2/3 days in office)
Contract Type: Permanent
Salary: £75,000–£80,000 base + up to 10% matched pension
Start Date: July/August 2025
The Opportunity
We are working with a well-established firm based in West Sussex who are about to enter an exciting period of growth and digital transformation. Backed by a global parent company but proudly independent in culture and operations, this is a family feel environment with strong values, long staff tenure, and a reputation for delivering high-impact projects.
As the current Head of IT leaves their role, the business is looking for a commercially minded, strategic IT leader to take ownership of the IT function. Your task will be to define and deliver a roadmap that supports scale, modernisation, and operational excellence. This is a hands-on leadership role where you will be the face of IT across the business, working closely with senior leadership, vendors, and the group's centralised IT teams.
The Role
You will take full ownership of the IT operations and their strategic direction, leading a small internal team, engaging with the business, and coordinating with Group on infrastructure, procurement, and security.
Key Responsibilities Include:
- Driving and delivering the IT strategy in line with the company's growth ambitions
- Leading IT operations, infrastructure, and service delivery across the business
- Owning IT compliance, governance, GDPR, and business continuity planning
- Managing vendor relationships, contracts, and budgets
- Providing direct support and hands-on technical leadership where needed
- Working closely with senior leadership to advise on risk, innovation, and digital transformation
- Championing continuous improvement and high levels of end-user satisfaction
- Leading software rollouts, systems integration, and business applications adoption
- Collaborating with internal teams to understand and support department-level needs
- Acting as the point of contact between company and Groups IT/security teams
The Person
We are looking for someone who combines strategic thinking with operational capability. You will be confident in leading conversations at senior level whilst building a collaborative and approachable relationship with your team.
You will Need:
- Proven experience in a senior IT leadership role, ideally in an SME or mid-sized organisation
- Strong technical foundation across infrastructure, networking, systems, and service delivery
- Experience managing budgets, third-party vendors, and group-level IT relationships
- Confidence engaging at senior leadership level and contributing to wider business discussions
- Hands-on experience in areas like hardware rollouts, platform adoption, and support
- Understanding of IT governance, GDPR, and compliance frameworks
Bonus Points For:
- Relevant certifications (e.g. ITIL, ISO 27001, TOGAF, PRINCE2)
- Experience in the construction, engineering, or infrastructure sectors
- Familiarity with ERP, HR, or industry-specific software
Additional Context About The Company And Role
- 200+ employees, with plans to double/triple in the coming years
- Hybrid working: 3 days a week in the West Sussex office
- New office refurbishment underway, creating a modern open-plan environment
- Occasional travel to overseas locations
- Pension scheme with up to 10% employer match (starting at 3.5%)
- Close-knit team culture, well-respected IT function, long tenure among staff
- First interviews in person with MD and current IT lead
- Second stage with Senior Leadership (likely via Teams)
Head of IT employer: Supermercados Guanabara
Contact Detail:
Supermercados Guanabara Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of IT
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the company's current IT landscape and their upcoming digital transformation plans. This will help you engage in meaningful conversations during interviews, showcasing your understanding of their needs and how you can contribute.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with professionals in the industry, especially those who have experience in similar roles or sectors. This can provide you with insights into the challenges they face and how you can position yourself as a solution during your discussions.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss your hands-on experience with IT governance and compliance frameworks, particularly GDPR. Being able to articulate your knowledge in these areas will demonstrate your readiness to take ownership of IT operations.
✨Tip Number 4
Showcase your leadership style by preparing examples of how you've successfully led teams through change. Highlighting your ability to foster collaboration and drive high levels of end-user satisfaction will resonate well with the company culture.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of IT
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights your experience in senior IT leadership roles, particularly in SME or mid-sized organisations. Emphasise your technical foundation and any relevant certifications that align with the job requirements.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Write a cover letter that showcases your strategic thinking and operational capabilities. Discuss how your previous experiences have prepared you to lead IT operations and drive digital transformation in a growing company.
Highlight Relevant Achievements: In both your CV and cover letter, include specific examples of past achievements that demonstrate your ability to manage budgets, vendor relationships, and IT compliance. Use metrics where possible to quantify your impact.
Prepare for Interviews: Anticipate questions related to IT governance, GDPR, and compliance frameworks. Be ready to discuss your hands-on experience with hardware rollouts and platform adoption, as well as your approach to leading teams and engaging with senior leadership.
How to prepare for a job interview at Supermercados Guanabara
✨Understand the Company Culture
Before your interview, take some time to research the company's culture and values. Since this role is in a family feel environment, showing that you align with their values and can contribute positively to their culture will set you apart.
✨Prepare for Strategic Discussions
As a Head of IT, you'll need to engage in high-level strategic conversations. Be ready to discuss your vision for IT in alignment with the company's growth ambitions, and have examples of how you've successfully led similar initiatives in the past.
✨Showcase Your Technical Expertise
While the role is strategic, it’s also hands-on. Be prepared to discuss your technical background and how it informs your leadership style. Highlight specific experiences with infrastructure, service delivery, and compliance that demonstrate your capability.
✨Engage with Senior Leadership
Since you'll be working closely with senior leadership, practice articulating your ideas clearly and confidently. Prepare questions that show your interest in their vision and how IT can support their objectives, fostering a collaborative relationship from the start.
