At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead technology delivery and strategy in a dynamic aviation environment.
- Company: Major organisation transforming the aviation and travel sector.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, bonus, pension, healthcare, and travel discounts.
- Other info: Hybrid working model with excellent career growth opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a significant impact in a high-availability, regulated industry.
- Qualifications: Proven experience in leading large tech teams and managing vendors.
The predicted salary is between 146000 - 146000 £ per year.
An opportunity to lead technology delivery at scale within a major organisation operating in the aviation and travel sector, undergoing significant digital and technology transformation. We're seeking a senior technology leader to take ownership of delivery, stability and evolution across a broad portfolio of business‑critical, customer‑facing and operational platforms that support a complex, high‑availability airline environment. This is a high‑impact role with accountability for strategy execution, large‑scale teams, significant budgets and a complex third‑party supplier ecosystem.
The Role
As Head of Technical Platforms, you will define and execute a multi‑year technology and delivery strategy aligned to business priorities in a regulated, safety‑critical industry, ensuring measurable outcomes, operational excellence and resilient platforms. You will lead and develop a large, multi‑disciplinary product and engineering organisation, embedding strong governance, modern delivery practices and a culture of accountability, innovation and continuous improvement.
Key responsibilities
- Defining, owning and executing technology delivery strategy and roadmaps aligned to aviation and business objectives
- Full accountability for delivery, stability, operational performance and service reliability across multiple platforms and domains
- Building, leading and developing high‑performing product, engineering, DevOps and DevSecOps teams
- End‑to‑end ownership of vendor management across strategic third‑party suppliers, systems integrators and technology partners
- Setting commercial and performance expectations for suppliers, ensuring value for money, resilience and regulatory compliance
- Oversight of major transformation programmes delivered via a blend of in‑house and third‑party teams
- Ownership of significant Capex and Opex budgets, forecasting and spend optimisation
- Establishing clear KPIs covering delivery performance, quality, platform health and supplier outcomes
- Acting as a trusted partner to senior business and operational leaders in a complex, always‑on environment
- Ensuring compliance with architecture, cyber security and regulatory standards while proactively managing technology and supplier risk
- Driving innovation and adoption of emerging technologies within agreed enterprise and safety frameworks
About You
You're a senior technology leader with experience delivering at scale in complex, regulated industries such as aviation, travel, transport or comparable operational environments. You combine strategic leadership with strong execution capability and are comfortable leading teams and partners in high‑availability settings. You'll bring:
- Proven success leading large technology or product delivery organisations
- Strong experience managing strategic vendors and third‑party delivery partners in complex operational environments
- Experience defining and executing enterprise‑level technology strategies and roadmaps
- Deep understanding of modern engineering practices, platforms and digital operating models
- Excellent stakeholder management skills, including confident engagement with executive and operational leaders
- Commercial acumen, with experience owning budgets, supplier contracts and driving ROI
- A leadership style that empowers teams, builds trust and drives accountability
- Experience within aviation, travel, transport or similarly regulated industries (nice to have)
Location & Working Pattern
West London Hybrid working - 3 days per week on‑site
Reward Package
Salary up to £146,000 Circa 20% bonus 15% employer pension contribution Car allowance Private healthcare Excellent travel and lifestyle discounts
If you're a senior technology delivery leader with experience in aviation or complex operational industries, and you excel at delivering outcomes through large teams and strategic third‑party partners, we'd love to hear from you.
Head of Technical Platforms employer: Xpertise Recruitment
Join a leading organisation in the aviation and travel sector that prioritises innovation and operational excellence. As the Head of Technical Platforms, you will thrive in a dynamic work culture that fosters accountability and continuous improvement, while enjoying a competitive salary, generous benefits including a 20% bonus, and a strong pension contribution. With opportunities for professional growth and a hybrid working model in West London, this role offers a unique chance to make a significant impact in a high-availability environment.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Technical Platforms
✨Network Like a Pro
Get out there and connect with people in the aviation and tech sectors. Attend industry events, join relevant online forums, and don’t be shy about reaching out on LinkedIn. We all know that sometimes it’s not just what you know, but who you know!
✨Showcase Your Expertise
When you get the chance to chat with potential employers, make sure to highlight your experience in leading large teams and managing complex projects. Share specific examples of how you've driven innovation and improved operational performance. We want to see your impact!
✨Prepare for the Interview
Do your homework on the company and its technology landscape. Be ready to discuss how you would approach their specific challenges, especially around delivery strategy and vendor management. We love candidates who come prepared with insights and ideas!
✨Apply Through Our Website
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, we’re always looking for passionate individuals who can lead and innovate in the tech space.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Technical Platforms
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV speaks directly to the role of Head of Technical Platforms. Highlight your experience in leading technology delivery in complex environments, especially in aviation or similar sectors. We want to see how your skills align with our needs!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to tell us about your strategic leadership style and how you've successfully managed large teams and budgets. Make it personal and show us why you're the perfect fit for this high-impact role.
Showcase Your Achievements:Don’t just list your responsibilities; showcase your achievements! Use metrics and examples to demonstrate how you’ve driven operational excellence and innovation in previous roles. We love seeing tangible results!
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother application process. It helps us keep track of your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates. We can’t wait to hear from you!
How to prepare for a job interview at Xpertise Recruitment
✨Know Your Tech Inside Out
Make sure you’re well-versed in the latest technologies and platforms relevant to the aviation and travel sector. Brush up on your knowledge of modern engineering practices and digital operating models, as these will be crucial in demonstrating your expertise during the interview.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Style
Prepare to discuss your leadership approach and how you empower teams. Be ready with examples of how you've built trust and accountability within large, multi-disciplinary teams, especially in high-pressure environments. This will help illustrate your fit for a senior role.
✨Understand Vendor Management
Since managing strategic vendors is key, come prepared to talk about your experience with third-party delivery partners. Highlight specific instances where you’ve set performance expectations and ensured compliance, showcasing your commercial acumen and ability to drive ROI.
✨Align with Business Objectives
Familiarise yourself with the company’s business priorities and how technology can support them. Be ready to discuss how you would define and execute a technology delivery strategy that aligns with these objectives, ensuring measurable outcomes and operational excellence.
