At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead technology, data, and digital platforms to drive innovation and efficiency.
- Company: Join TM Forum, a global leader in telco and tech industry collaboration.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, inclusive culture, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Embrace diversity and inclusion in a fast-paced, innovative workplace.
- Why this job: Shape the future of technology while making a real impact in a dynamic environment.
- Qualifications: Proven tech leadership experience with a focus on strategy and execution.
The predicted salary is between 80000 - 100000 £ per year.
About TM Forum
TM Forum is the global industry member alliance for telco and tech companies with over 800 communication service providers, vendors, hyperscalers, consultancies and system integrators, including the world’s top ten CSPs and top three hyperscalers. We aim to return the telco sector back to growth, through a move to AI-enabled agility and efficiency delivered by our three industry Missions: Composable IT & Ecosystems, Autonomous Networks, and AI and Data.
Our Missions are delivered through a flywheel of capabilities: Insight, Innovate, Collaborate, Educate and Scale, which are all brought to live through a global, year round program of digital and in person events.
Role Purpose
Own and lead TM Forum’s technology, data and digital platforms — combining clear strategic direction with strong operational delivery. This role is accountable for:
- Defining and executing a coherent technology, data and platform strategy
- Delivering member-facing digital experiences alongside Marketing
- Building and running a modern, secure, scalable platform estate
- Establishing practical data and AI foundations that are used daily
This is a leadership role with close proximity to delivery. You will lead a high-impact team, set direction and priorities, and stay sufficiently close to architecture, delivery and decision-making to ensure pace, quality and outcomes. Success requires the ability to balance strategic thinking, delivery accountability and pragmatic decision-making in a resource-constrained environment.
Key Responsibilities
- Technology & Platform Strategy
- Define and evolve a coherent technology, data and digital platform strategy
- Align investment and priorities to member value and organisational goals
- Balance short-term delivery needs with long-term scalability and sustainability
- Digital Platform & Delivery
- Own and deliver TM Forum’s web and digital platform roadmap, from backlog to production
- Set clear priorities, outcomes and success measures
- Ensure delivery pace and quality by staying close to key decisions, risks and dependencies
- Provide direction on architecture and approach where needed
- Partner with Marketing to enable high-quality digital experiences
- Ensure platforms are secure, reliable and cost-efficient
- Technology & IT Operations
- Lead engineering, DevOps and IT operations to ensure services are reliable and effective
- Simplify and rationalize systems into a practical, maintainable architecture
- Provide leadership on complex technical and operational challenges
- Drive automation, tooling and continuous improvement of delivery capability
- Manage vendors pragmatically with a focus on value and outcomes
- Data & Analytics
- Establish trusted, usable data that supports real decision-making
- Implement practical governance and data standards
- Enable self-service analytics and clear data ownership
- Ensure data platforms are actively used and deliver measurable value
- Governance, Prioritisation & Risk
- Own transparent prioritisation and trade-offs across technology, data and digital
- Implement lightweight, visible governance aligned to delivery needs
- Provide clarity on backlog, BAU vs change decisions and trade-offs
- Manage risk across security, resilience, cost and delivery confidence
- AI Platforms & Enablement
- Build and evolve AI-ready platforms and technical foundations
- Translate AI strategy into practical, working capability
- Support delivery of AI enablement and agents
- Ensure AI solutions are secure, governed and scalable
- Leadership & Team
- Lead a high-performing team with clear direction and accountability
- Build capability to deliver independently at pace and quality
- Stay close enough to support and challenge without creating dependency
- Foster a pragmatic, outcome-focused and low-ego culture
- Oversee the technology budget and vendor portfolio
Key Profile
What we are looking for:
- Proven experience operating across strategy and execution in technology leadership roles
- Ability to set direction and ensure delivery through teams
- Strong grounding in cloud, SaaS platforms, integration and web technologies
- Track record of delivering platforms and outcomes, not just managing programmes
- Comfortable engaging in detail when required without relying on personal execution
- Experience balancing cost, speed, quality and risk in decision-making
- Able to operate effectively in a lean, fast-moving and evolving environment
What may not work in this role:
- Leaders who rely heavily on large teams or complex structures to deliver outcomes
- Candidates uncomfortable operating in a lean, fast-moving environment
- Individuals who focus on strategy without accountability for execution
Diversity & Inclusion at TM Forum
At TM Forum, we’re building a workplace where everyone can belong, feel respected, supported and able to do their best work. We welcome talent from all walks of life to join our global community, which is made stronger by the different perspectives, backgrounds and experiences each person brings. We hire based on skills, potential and values, never on assumptions about who someone is or where they come from. We actively work to ensure our recruitment and people practices are fair, inclusive and free from bias.
IT Director (Technology, Data & Digital Platforms) employer: TM Forum
At TM Forum, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer that fosters a collaborative and innovative work culture. Our commitment to employee growth is evident through tailored development programmes and opportunities to engage with industry leaders at global events. Located in a vibrant environment, we offer unique advantages such as flexible working arrangements and a focus on operational excellence, making it a rewarding place for professionals looking to make a meaningful impact.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land IT Director (Technology, Data & Digital Platforms)
✨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 TM Forum 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 TM Forum 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 TM Forum!
✨Direct Apply to TM Forum
Let's not forget to apply directly through the TM Forum 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 IT Director (Technology, Data & Digital Platforms)
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 TM Forum.
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 TM Forum. 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 TM Forum
✨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.
