Chief Technology Officer

Jewson Ltd; Coventry; On-site; GBP 150,000 - 200,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading building materials distributor in the UK is seeking a Chief Technology Officer (CTO) to elevate technology's role in their business. The CTO will lead the transformation of technology systems, formulate strategic plans, and engage stakeholders to enable growth through technology innovation. Ideal candidates will have a strong background in technology leadership, architecture design, and vendor management. Competitive salary and benefits are offered.

Benefits

Competitive Salary

Company Car

Discretionary bonus

Private Medical

Retirement savings plan

Life Assurance

Enhanced maternity/paternity/adoption leave

Voluntary benefits including holiday buying and gym membership

Health and wellbeing services

WorkPerks discounts

Qualifications

• Experience leading technology change from legacy to modern environments.
• Proven ability to design and implement technology architecture aligned to business strategy.
• Significant experience in technology leadership roles, ideally with international exposure.

Responsibilities

• Lead a comprehensive review of systems and develop a future-state technology strategy.
• Evaluate and optimise third-party technology partnerships.
• Collaborate with and lead the technology team.

Skills

Technology change leadership

Technology architecture design

Vendor management

Business case development

Team leadership

Stakeholder engagement

Education

Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or related field

Master's degree preferred

Tools

ITIL

Agile

DevOps

Job description

The CTO is responsible for driving holistic technology change across STARK UK. This includes leading a comprehensive review of all systems, developing a future‑state technology strategy, and ensuring that technology architecture is aligned with business needs. The role will be expected to formulate and execute plans to refine, process, and leverage untapped data assets, lead the design thinking around re‑platforming core systems, and evaluate and optimise third‑party technology partnerships (e.g., Microsoft, Cognizant, Salesforce). The CTO will also be responsible for making compelling business cases for technology investments, collaborating with the technology team, and support change to strengthen relationships with key business stakeholders. The ultimate aim is to elevate IT from a support function to a strategic business partner, enabling business growth and agility through technology innovation and operational excellence.

You Will Be Required To

• Technology Strategy & Architecture: Lead a comprehensive review of systems and develop a future‑state strategy; design and improve technology architecture aligned to business needs.
• Core Systems Modernisation: Lead design thinking around re‑platforming of core systems, ensuring scalability, reliability, and alignment with business objectives.
• Vendor & Partner Management: Evaluate and optimise third‑party technology partnerships, ensuring value for money and alignment with strategic goals.
• Business Case Development: Make compelling, fact‑based business cases for technology investment, securing necessary budgets.
• Team Leadership: Collaborate with and lead the technology team, flexing size as needed, and fostering a high‑performance culture.
• Stakeholder Engagement: Evangelise change and strengthen relationships with key business stakeholders, ensuring technology is seen as a strategic enabler.

Qualifications

• Experience leading technology change from legacy to modern environments, including re‑platforming and integration of new technologies.
• Proven ability to design and implement technology architecture aligned to business strategy.
• Experience evaluating and optimising third‑party technology partnerships.

Leadership & Strategy

• Experience operating at CTO level in similarly sized international organisations, or one level below in larger enterprises.
• Track record as a change agent, leading significant transformation and modernisation initiatives.
• Strategic thinker, creative problem solver, and challenger of the status quo.
• Strong communication skills to influence and build partnerships across the UK and group.
• Self‑motivated, resilient, and credible as a potential successor to the CIO in 2-3 years.

Methodologies & Compliance

• Familiarity with ITIL, Agile, and DevOps practices.
• Knowledge of cybersecurity principles and compliance frameworks (e.g., ISO 27001, GDPR).
• Experience with business continuity and disaster recovery planning.

Education & Experience

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or related field (Master's preferred).
• Significant experience in technology leadership roles, ideally with international exposure.

STARK UK is a leading building materials distributor in Northern Europe, is looking for an impact‑oriented technology Chief Technology Officer (CTO) to drive major change and elevate technology's role in an industry leader.

With a transformation over the past 2 years the CTO will play a key role in shaping the future of the team, instilling the right culture and ways of working, and supporting the change required for technology to underpin the continued growth of the UK business.

What We Offer

• Competitive Salary
• Company Car
• Discretionary bonus
• Private Medical
• Retirement savings plan
• Life Assurance
• Enhanced maternity/paternity/adoption leave for anyone expecting or adopting a child
• A wide range of voluntary benefits including holiday buying, discounted gym membership, car salary sacrifice scheme, Cycle2Work, Benenden Healthcare and more.
• Access to a wealth of health and wellbeing services including access to online GP appointments and mental health support.
• WorkPerks – A platform home to hundreds of all your favourite high street and online discounts via the provider Reward Gateway.

Why STARK?

We're proud to be part of STARK Building Materials UK and dedicated to providing top‑quality products and exceptional service to our customers. We're a friendly and collaborative team, passionate about what we do and committed to doing it well. If you're ready to take your career to the next level and join a team that is dedicated to providing great service, we want to hear from you.

Apply today! What’s Next… If your application is, our in‑house recruitment team will be in touch to arrange an interview and to answer any initial questions you have. Where a role is advertised as full‑time, we are open to discussing part‑time and job share options during the application process. If you require additional support as part of the application and interview process, we are happy to provide reasonable adjustments to help you to be at your best.

Stark Building Materials UK is a Ban the Box employer and will consider the suitability of applicants with criminal convictions on a case‑by‑case basis.