Group IT Director

Paradies Lagardère - Retail; Uxbridge; On-site; GBP 80,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job description

Company Description

Speed. Scale. Simplification.

This is our philosophy. This is our momentum. This is your opportunity.

At APCOA, we are not just managing parking spaces – we’re pioneering the future of urban mobility and smart city solutions. With a presence in 12 countries, over 12,000 locations, and more than 50 years of operational leadership, we are Europe’s largest parking and mobility services provider.

And now, we’re entering a bold new chapter.

With the launch of our newly formed Group HQ in West London, we are transforming from a collection of high-performing local business units into a truly enterprise-led, future-fit organisation — one that retains its entrepreneurial spirit while unlocking the power of scale.

Job Description

As Group IT Director, you will lead the strategic direction and delivery of operational systems across all business units and countries within the Group. You will be responsible for ensuring that our IT systems are robust, secure, and aligned with the evolving needs of a dynamic, customer-focused parking business. The next few years of APCOA’s transformation journey will also require you to lead the way on strategic IT initiatives related to harmonization of systems and leading our data transformation.

This role requires a visionary leader who can navigate complex environments, champion digital transformation, and drive efficiency through smart, scalable solutions. Transformation experience and program leadership is key. You will work closely with senior leadership cross-functional teams and several countries to optimise infrastructure, improve operational applications offered to the organization, and update data capabilities. Your leadership will be critical in shaping a modern, connected ecosystem that supports the Group’s long-term growth and mobility ambitions.

Key Responsibilities

Strategy, Transformation and Leadership

• Define and execute the Group IT strategy aligned with the overall business goals.
• Lead and develop a high-performing IT team across all regions and business units.
• Lead enterprise-wide IT transformation program, including system upgrades, ERP implementation, and data upgrade. Ensure technology investments deliver measurable business outcomes
• Develop and maintain a multi-year IT roadmap aligned with parking technology roadmap and market trends
• Develop and manage the IT BAU and transformation budgets, ensuring cost-effective investments.
• Manage relationships with technology vendors, service providers, and consultants.

Governance

• Foster the IT team/network across all countries.
• Establish IT governance policies and best practices across the Group, and internal controls in line with EU regulatory requirements (GDPR, NIS2 Directive, etc.).
• Support Internal Audit Team on IT audits and ensure readiness for external compliance reviews.
• Develop business continuity and disaster recovery strategies to ensure operational resilience.

Applications & Infrastructure

• Work with the Technology team to ensure the design, implementation, and maintenance of IT infrastructure, including hardware, software, networks, and data centers.
• Work alongside the business to deploy and maintain the appropriate applications and supporting infrastructure strategy to meet business and operational objectives.
• Develop and maintain a scalable, secure, and resilient infrastructure architecture — including cloud, network, on-premises, and hybrid environments.
• Drive standardization and harmonization of applications and infrastructure across the organization to improve interoperability, reduce complexity, and optimize costs.

IT Service Delivery

• Optimize IT service delivery processes, establish internal KPIs and service level agreements (SLAs) to monitor performance and user satisfaction.
• Drive standardization, consolidation, and harmonization of systems, tools, and processes across geographies and business units.
• Maintain and develop technology vendor relations with key technology vendors (MSP / MSSP, Microsoft, etc.).

Cybersecurity & Risk Management

• Work with CISO to ensure data privacy, cybersecurity, and regulatory compliance across all systems and geographies.
• Work with CISO to develop and test disaster recovery and business continuity plans.

Data & Analytics

• Drive data transformation
• Set up future data capabilities and governance

Qualifications

Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, Information Systems, or related field.
• 10+ years of progressive IT leadership experience, ideally within a B2C or business services environment.
• Proven experience managing multi-site or regional IT operations in a fast-paced environment.
• Proven ability to hire, train, coach, and manage IT professionals, including in transformational environments
• Strong knowledge of IT transformation management, systems integration, infrastructure management and cloud services, cybersecurity, data infrastructure and management.
• Experience in parking or business services is a strong plus.
• Excellent leadership, stakeholder management, and communication skills.
• Proven expertise in project management, consensus building, process improvement, and budgeting

Additional Information

At APCOA, we see beyond the parking space. We see a world where mobility is intelligent, sustainable, and seamlessly integrated into daily life.

Our new Group HQ is more than a physical space — it’s the heartbeat of a new enterprise, where high-impact leaders shape the future.

If you’re ready to apply your expertise to meaningful challenges and help transform an industry --join APCOA Group HQ. Let’s build what’s next.

APCOA Group HQ is an equal opportunity employer. We welcome and encourage applicants from all backgrounds to apply.