Head of IT

• Provide overall leadership of the IT function, including Operations, Service Desk, Development, Testing and relevant third-party suppliers.
• Lead and manage IT Team Leads and wider teams through regular one-to-ones, appraisals, measurable outputs and effective people management in partnership with HR.
• Coach and develop the IT function, creating a positive, high-performing culture aligned to Ecctis’ values and objectives.
• Set and manage IT budgets, forecasts, resource plans, procurement activity and vendor relationships, ensuring cost efficiency and value for money.
• Develop and execute the IT and information security strategy in line with the organisation’s wider strategic objectives.
• Build, maintain and deliver the IT roadmap, ensuring priorities are clear, achievable and aligned to business needs.
• Lead IT projects from planning through implementation, keeping key stakeholders engaged and informed to ensure organisational alignment and sign-off.
• Support the development of Annual Operating Plans to enable successful delivery across the organisation.

• Oversee the delivery, maintenance and security of internal IT hardware and infrastructure, networks, applications, cloud environments, systems and services.
• Ensure high levels of system availability, performance and support for a hybrid workforce in line with agreed SLAs.
• Review, develop and maintain IT policies, standards and best practice guidance across the organisation.

• Set the strategic direction for software development and testing, ensuring activity supports wider business priorities.
• Oversee the software development lifecycle to ensure timely, budget-compliant and high-quality delivery.
• Promote effective ways of working across development and testing teams, aligned to recognised IT methodologies and frameworks.

• Review, audit and monitor IT assets and information security controls, making practical, solution-focused recommendations to key stakeholders.
• Ensure disaster recovery arrangements are aligned to business requirements and that data back-up processes are maintained to mitigate risk.
• Ensure all IT operations comply with relevant laws, regulations and internal requirements, including GDPR.
• Analyse current IT infrastructure to identify vulnerabilities, risks, inefficiencies and opportunities for improvement.
• Support system testing and evaluation to confirm functionality and identify improvements.
• Promote a culture of security awareness across the business through training, guidance and stakeholder engagement.

• Provide reporting, both data-led and narrative, for key stakeholders as required.
• Abide by company policies and procedures, including health and safety requirements.

• Undertake any other reasonable duties aligned with the general remit, level and responsibilities of the role.

• Proven success in senior IT leadership, including responsibility for IT Operations, Development and Testing teams.
• Strong technical proficiency across areas including virtual technologies, network administration, infrastructure, VoIP and server maintenance.
• Ability to assess and manage risk effectively.
• Strong strategic planning skills, with the ability to provide recommendations that reflect wider organisational and commercial priorities.
• Good working knowledge of IT methodologies and frameworks, including SDLC, Agile, ITSM and PMO.
• Ability to lead and deliver change, ensuring clear communication and stakeholder engagement throughout.
• Ability to delegate effectively and prioritise competing and changing demands.
• Strong financial acumen, including budgeting, forecasting, performance analysis and cost management.
• Ability to identify business-critical priorities and adapt plans to respond to evolving needs.
• Commitment to staying up to date with emerging technologies, trends and best practice.

• Proven experience in a senior IT leadership role, including information security responsibilities and building and scaling teams.
• Ability to champion and further raise the profile of the IT function across the organisation.
• In-depth knowledge of IT infrastructure, cloud services, enterprise applications, development, testing and security technologies.
• Excellent leadership, communication and stakeholder management skills across IT and the wider business.
• Practical and solutions-focused, with a strong appreciation of workable and cost-efficient approaches.
• Data-driven, with the ability to plan clearly and measure outcomes effectively.
• Agile and responsive in the face of changing business priorities and needs.
• Able to foster collaboration, empower others and make the most of expertise within the team and wider company.
• Committed to equality, diversity and inclusion, and to creating a respectful and inclusive team culture.

• Educated to degree level in a relevant discipline, or equivalent professional qualification.
• Demonstrable continuous professional development, particularly in IT service management, project management, technology solutions, management and leadership.
• Professional qualifications in leadership and management are desirable.

Please note: The successful candidate will be subject to DBS checking. All applicants must hold a current permit or visa showing their right to work in the UK.

This role profile is intended to give an overall indication of the duties and responsibilities of this role but is not exhaustive and the job holder may be asked to perform other duties, which reasonably align with the general remits of their role and level of responsibility.