Reports To:

Chief Technology & Operations Officer

Location:

Birmingham [hybrid] with flexibility to travel nationwide as needed.

SM&CR Function:

Certified Role

Purpose of Role

The Head of IT is a strategic and operational leader responsible for delivering a secure, scalable, and cloud-first technology environment that enables exceptional colleague and client experiences.

This role oversees IT infrastructure, service delivery, and cybersecurity, and plays an active role in operational resilience. The successful candidate will bring energetic leadership, a passion for continuous improvement, and a commitment to best practice - fostering a culture of innovation, collaboration, and user-centricity across a nationally distributed organisation.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the delivery of IT services across Ascot Lloyd, ensuring a modern, cloud-first infrastructure that supports business agility and resilience.
• Champion a user-focused approach to technology, ensuring colleagues have the tools and support they need to thrive.
• Oversee IT service delivery, infrastructure, and cybersecurity, ensuring systems are secure, scalable, and aligned with business needs.
• Actively contribute to operational resilience planning and execution, including business continuity and disaster recovery.
• Collaborate closely with peers across all business areas to align IT strategy with organisational goals and user needs.
• Manage third-party IT service providers, ensuring performance, compliance, and value through effective contract governance.
• Drive a FinOps culture, embedding cost control and value optimisation across all IT operations and investments.
• Use data and analytics to inform decision-making, performance reporting, and continuous improvement.
• Lead IT planning and execution for office moves, acquisitions, and integration projects.
• Deliver clear, actionable reporting on IT performance, risks, and opportunities to senior leadership.
• Promote a culture of energetic leadership, accountability, and innovation within the IT team.
• Ensure Health & Safety compliance for IT staff across office and remote working environments.
• Foster a risk-aware culture that supports transparent decision-making and strategic risk-taking.

SM&CR Responsibilities

As a Certified Function under the FCA's Senior Managers and Certification Regime (SM&CR), this role requires personal accountability and adherence to the following Conduct Rules:

1. Act with integrity
2. Act with due care, skill, and diligence
3. Be open and cooperative with regulators
4. Treat customers fairly and with respect
5. Observe proper standards of market conduct
6. Act to deliver good outcomes for clients

Experience & Skills Required

• Proven leadership experience in IT within a financial services environment.
• Strong understanding of cloud infrastructure, cybersecurity, and service delivery.
• Experience in operational resilience and business continuity planning.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills across all levels.
• Demonstrated success in managing third-party vendors and complex IT projects.
• Experience with IT governance, risk management, and regulatory compliance.
• Passion for user experience and colleague enablement through technology.
• Ability to lead and inspire teams in a fast-paced, multi-site organisation.
• Relevant project management qualifications and technical certifications.
• Data-driven mindset with experience in performance reporting and analytics.
• Flexible and adaptable approach to working across locations and time zones.

Key Behaviour Indicators

• Visionary leadership with a focus on execution and outcomes.
• Clear, inclusive, and timely communication.
• Collaborative and user-focused mindset.
• Commitment to continuous improvement and innovation.
• Technically proficient and able to develop others.
• Energetic, accountable, and results-driven.