At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead IT operations, manage systems, and enhance guest experiences at The Wave.
- Company: Join the UK's first inland surf destination with a focus on health and happiness.
- Benefits: 30 days holiday, free surf sessions, and discounts on offerings.
- Other info: Opportunity to shape IT strategy in a fun, innovative environment.
- Why this job: Be part of a unique workplace that values wellbeing, nature, and community.
- Qualifications: 5+ years IT experience, team management skills, and a hands-on approach.
The predicted salary is between 58500 - 71500 £ per year.
About The Wave
The Wave is the UK's first inland surf destination, set on the edge of Bristol. We've built something genuinely unique — a world-class wave pool surrounded by open water, woodland, a campsite (The Field) and safari tents (The Camp). Whether someone is catching their first wave or chasing their hundredth, The Wave is where it happens. The Wave is a place where people and nature come together - creating the right environment for people to thrive - our guests, our team, and our community. Our purpose is to nurture a world of health, hope and happiness with every wave. We’re driven by a spirit of innovation, purpose and possibility.
Who We Are
Our Values – We Are FAIR
- Fun – We take fun seriously! We put smiles on faces.
- Adventurous – We’re game changers, adaptable and explore with optimism.
- Impact – We’re here to create a healthier connection between people and planet.
- Respect – We care for each other, our customers and our community.
These values guide how we show up, how we make decisions, and how we work together - every day, in every role.
The Role
You’ll take day-to-day ownership of the systems that keep The Wave running — from our network, EPOS and payment systems to security, site systems and the support desk our teams rely on. This is a hands‑on leadership role in a busy, guest‑facing environment. You’ll lead a small in‑house support team, manage technology suppliers, keep critical systems running, and own the practical IT decisions that help our teams deliver brilliant experiences every day. Alongside day-to-day delivery, you’ll hold ownership for the IT budget, technology and product direction, data management and process improvement — making sure our systems are reliable, secure and ready for what comes next.
What You’ll Be Doing
- IT operations and support
- Keep us connected: manage our Ubiquiti network infrastructure, site connectivity and IT hardware across the whole site.
- Own EPOS and payments: keep our EPOS estate and Adyen payment systems, onsite and online, running reliably for guests and teams.
- Look after site systems: maintain CCTV, security systems, AV and sound, digital signage and telephony, plus the network behind our automated surf video system.
- Run the support desk: own our support process and Zendesk helpdesk and build a rota that delivers 7-day cover, including shared out‑of‑hours support.
- Lead the team: line‑manage our support team, one full‑time and one part‑time, and manage the contracts and relationships with our technology suppliers.
- Own the budget: manage the IT budget, track cost and return on technology spend, and report on it to the leadership team.
- Run projects: deliver IT and technology projects hands on, from scoping through to go‑live, mostly doing the work yourself rather than delegating it.
- Keep data in order: look after data quality, security and compliance across IT and site systems, and the flow of information between EPOS, booking and management systems.
- Improve the guest journey: get hands on with the guest journey across digital and on‑site touchpoints, spotting and fixing where it's not working.
- Keep an eye on what's next: maintain working knowledge of emerging technology, particularly AI, and flag practical opportunities for its use.
- Keep us documented: build clear SOPs and user documentation and share weekly updates on support activity with the leadership team.
- Systems, projects and improvement
- Support our digital presence: provide first‑line support for thewave.com and our WordPress online shop.
What We’re Looking For
Essential
- At least 5 years' hands‑on IT experience, ideally in a busy customer‑facing, retail, leisure or hospitality environment.
- Experience supporting EPOS, payment systems and operational technology.
- Experience managing a small team, including rota planning and out‑of‑hours support.
- Confident managing IT suppliers, contracts and service relationships.
- Project management experience, with the ability to deliver hands‑on from scoping through to go‑live.
- Experience contributing to or owning an IT budget.
- Good understanding of data management, reporting, security and compliance.
- Strong working knowledge of Ubiquiti networking, site connectivity and IT hardware.
- Comfortable improving processes and guest journeys across digital and on‑site touchpoints.
- A practical, hands‑on approach and the confidence to get involved wherever support is needed.
- Has a ‘what’s possible, can do’ mindset, is positive and fun!
Desirable
- Experience with Zendesk or a similar helpdesk platform.
- Experience with Adyen or similar payment platforms.
- Experience supporting WordPress‑based websites or online shops.
- Knowledge of CCTV, AV, digital signage or telephony systems.
- Experience contributing to product strategy for guest‑facing digital systems.
- Working knowledge of emerging technology, including practical uses of AI.
What We Offer
- 30 days paid holiday, inclusive of bank holidays.
- Free access to our staff surf sessions.
- Multiple discounts across our surf and other offerings.
- Real ownership of your area, with autonomy to shape how IT and support work at The Wave.
- The chance to be part of a genuinely different kind of workplace, built around wellbeing, nature and community.
Our Commitment to Inclusion
We’re built on the idea that everyone should have the chance to experience the joy of surfing and the outdoors - and that starts with our own team. We’re committed to creating a place where people genuinely feel like they belong and be themselves. We welcome different backgrounds, perspectives and experiences, and we work hard to make sure the right people are in the right roles, with the support they need to thrive.
Head of IT employer: The Wave Group
The Wave is an exceptional employer that values its team members by offering 30 days of paid holiday, staff surf sessions, and exclusive discounts, creating a vibrant and supportive work culture. With opportunities for personal and professional growth in a fast-paced kitchen environment, you will be part of a dynamic team dedicated to delivering high-quality food and service. Join us to experience a workplace that not only prioritises your well-being but also fosters a passion for culinary excellence.
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 The Wave Group 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 The Wave Group 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 The Wave Group!
✨Direct Apply to The Wave Group
Let's not forget to apply directly through the The Wave Group 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 The Wave Group.
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 The Wave Group. 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 The Wave Group
✨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.
