Head of IT Delivery

Salary: £100,000 to £135,000 plus benefits Location: Liverpool Working Pattern: Hybrid, 2 to 3 days per week onsite

Zachary Daniels is partnering with a UK retail business to appoint a Head of IT Delivery.

Technology is playing a central role in the continued transformation of the organisation, and this position will be responsible for ensuring its technology portfolio is delivered successfully.

This is a broad leadership role covering IT portfolio delivery, project governance, strategic supplier relationships and financial management. You will lead a multi-disciplined delivery function comprising permanent employees, contractors and third-party partners, ensuring major technology initiatives are delivered at pace while maintaining the right levels of control, quality and governance.

The Opportunity

As Head of IT Delivery, you will establish a clear view of the technology roadmap and create the delivery structure required to turn strategy into measurable outcomes.

You will work closely with senior business and technology stakeholders to understand priorities, manage demand and capacity, and ensure investment is focused on the areas that will deliver the greatest value.

Alongside ownership of the delivery portfolio, you will lead the organisation's approach to IT vendor management. This will include overseeing major supplier relationships, commercial negotiations, contract renewals and cost optimisation across a significant third-party technology estate.

You will also take accountability for IT CAPEX and OPEX budgets, providing accurate forecasting, financial control and visibility of technology investment.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and develop the IT Delivery function, creating a high-performing and commercially focused team
• Oversee multiple complex technology programmes and projects running concurrently
• Establish and maintain an accurate IT delivery roadmap aligned with business priorities
• Develop a delivery methodology that balances pace, governance and control
• Own demand and capacity planning across internal teams, contractors and third-party suppliers
• Ensure projects are delivered against agreed cost, timescale, scope, quality and security requirements
• Provide clear portfolio reporting and communication to senior stakeholders
• Identify and oversee the management of risks, issues and dependencies across the technology portfolio
• Establish and lead IT vendor management governance
• Own the commercial and contractual relationships with strategic technology suppliers
• Lead contract negotiations, renewals, performance reviews and supplier exits where required
• Identify cost optimisation opportunities across third-party services and products
• Manage IT CAPEX and OPEX budgets, including forecasting, reconciliation and payment disputes
• Build succession plans and develop capability across the internal delivery team

About You

You will be an experienced technology delivery leader with a strong track record of managing complex portfolios within a sizeable organisation.

You will bring:

• Experience leading multiple complex technology projects or programmes concurrently
• A strong background in portfolio management, delivery governance or enterprise technology transformation
• Experience managing strategic suppliers and multi-million-pound technology contracts
• Strong commercial and financial acumen, including ownership of significant CAPEX and OPEX budgets
• Experience leading blended teams of permanent employees, contractors and third-party partners
• The ability to build strong relationships with executive and senior business stakeholders
• A track record of improving delivery processes without creating unnecessary bureaucracy
• Strong negotiation, supplier performance and cost optimisation experience
• Experience working across both project-based and product-based delivery environments would be advantageous
• Previous experience within retail, ecommerce, consumer or another fast-paced environment would be beneficial

This is an excellent opportunity for a commercially minded technology leader who enjoys bringing people together, improving delivery performance and turning ambitious technology plans into tangible business outcomes.

BH37430