Head of IM, OT & Digital

Key Responsibilities

IT Strategy and Leadership

• Develop and deliver overarching technology and digital roadmaps aligned with organisational objectives.
• Lead and inspire the IT, OT and digital teams, fostering a high-performance and customer-focused culture.
• Act as the senior technology adviser to the Executive Team and Board.
• Ensure technology investments deliver measurable business value.
• Identify emerging technologies and assess opportunities for innovation and competitive advantage.

Digital Transformation

• Lead business transformation programmes enabled through digital technologies.
• Drive automation, workflow optimisation, and process improvement initiatives.
• Champion digital adoption and change management across the organisation.
• Promote a data-driven culture through improved reporting, analytics, and business intelligence capabilities.
• Support the development of digital products, services, and customer engagement channels.
• Lead AI and automation adoption across the organisation.
• Develop governance for Generative AI and Copilot technologies.
• Deliver technology-enabled productivity and efficiency gains.
• IT Operations and Service Delivery:
• Ensure the provision of secure, reliable, and effective IT services.
• Oversee infrastructure, cloud services, networking, end-user computing, applications, and service desk functions.
• Establish and monitor IT service management processes and performance measures.
• Ensure business continuity and disaster recovery arrangements are maintained and tested.
• Manage service availability, service performance, and service improvement initiatives.

OT Operations, Improvement and Service Delivery

• Ensure the provision of secure, reliable, and effective OT services.
• Oversee infrastructure, networking, integration, applications, and line of business equipment.
• Establish, deliver and monitor production improvements through the effective use of technology.
• Ensure business continuity and disaster recovery arrangements are maintained and tested.
• Manage service availability, service performance, and service improvement initiatives.

Cyber Security, Risk and Compliance

• Develop and maintain the organisation's cyber security strategy.
• Ensure compliance with relevant regulatory, legal, and industry requirements.
• Lead cyber security awareness programmes across the organisation.
• Manage cyber risks, incident response processes, and security governance.
• Work closely with internal and external auditors on technology-related controls and assurance activities.

Data and Information Management

• Lead data governance, data quality, and information management initiatives.
• Support the effective use of data analytics and business intelligence tools.
• Ensure data protection obligations are met, including GDPR compliance.
• Promote the use of technology to improve organisational insight and decision-making.

Vendor and Budget Management

• Develop and manage the IT, OT and digital budget.
• Lead procurement and contract negotiations for technology solutions and services.
• Manage relationships with strategic partners, suppliers, and managed service providers.
• Ensure effective commercial management and delivery against service-level agreements.
• Stakeholder Engagement
• Build strong relationships across all business functions.
• Collaborate with senior leaders to identify technology opportunities and priorities.
• Communicate technology strategy, projects, risks, and performance to stakeholders.
• Influence organisational priorities through technology expertise and commercial understanding.
• Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)
• IT and OT service availability and reliability.
• Cyber security maturity and incident management.
• Delivery of digital transformation projects to time and budget.
• Customer and employee satisfaction with technology services.
• Achievement of budget and cost optimisation targets.
• Technology-related risk reduction.
• Adoption rates of digital solutions and processes.
• Business productivity improvements delivered through technology.

Essential Experience

• Proven experience in a senior IT leadership role inclusive of OT and Digital.
• Experience developing and delivering technology and digital strategies.
• Demonstrable success leading digital transformation and business change programmes.
• Experience managing cyber security, data governance, and IT/OT operations.
• Track record of managing third-party suppliers and technology contracts.
• Experience managing budgets and technology investment portfolios.
• Strong stakeholder management skills, including engagement with executive leadership teams.
• Essential Knowledge
• Cloud platforms (Microsoft Azure, AWS, or equivalent).
• Microsoft 365 ecosystem.
• Cyber security frameworks and best practices.
• Data analytics, reporting, and business intelligence platforms.
• IT service management principles (ITIL).
• Enterprise applications, integrations, OT and digital platforms.
• Business continuity and disaster recovery planning.
• Essential Skills
• Strategic thinking and commercial acumen.
• Strong leadership and people management.
• Excellent communication and influencing skills.
• Programme and project leadership.
• Budget management and financial planning.
• Problem-solving and decision-making.
• Change management and organisational transformation.

 

Qualifications

• Degree-level qualification or equivalent experience in Information Technology, Digital Technology, Business Information Systems, or related discipline.

Leadership Behaviours

The successful candidate will

• Think strategically while delivering operational excellence.
• Be customer and user focused.
• Lead with integrity and accountability.
• Drive innovation and continuous improvement.
• Make data-informed decisions.
• Build strong and collaborative relationships.
• Inspire teams through change and transformation.