Group IT Operations Director

Law Business Research; London; Hybrid; GBP 80,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading legal data services firm is seeking a Group IT Operations Director to lead its global IT function as it integrates a recent acquisition. This pivotal role will involve developing IT infrastructure to support business growth and ensure operational excellence in a dynamic Private Equity environment.

Benefits

Eye care

Employee Assistance Programme

A day off for your birthday

Pension (4% employer contribution)

Life assurance

Cycle to work scheme

Season ticket loan

GBP 350 annual wellbeing allowance

Private healthcare after 1 year service

Company socials

Generous parental leave

Qualifications

• 8-10 years as IT Operations Director in a fast-paced environment.
• Experience with IT Security and Governance.
• Strong leadership managing global teams.

Responsibilities

• Lead global IT function and set IT Target Operating Model.
• Oversee IT security strategy and vendor relationships.
• Manage post-merger IT integration.

Skills

IT Security

Vendor Management

Risk Management

Leadership

Tools

Microsoft 365 Suite

Job description

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Group IT Operations Director

Department: Business Operations

Employment Type: Full Time

Location: London

Reporting To: Ken Appiah

Description

Job OverviewRecent growth and a transformative acquisition, which has doubled the size of the business and extended its reach geographically, particularly into the US, has created the need for a Group IT Operations Director for the LBR business.

The role presents a unique opportunity to work closely with the COO to help build a top quartile IT Operations function, integrating the recently acquired US business and developing an IT infrastructure suitable in supporting the business as it works towards its growth plans.

About LBRLBR is an extremely successful, Private Equity backed business. Until April 2024 LBR was backed by Levine Leichtman Capital ("LLCP"), a US based mid-market PE fund. After significant growth during its investment period, including a major piece of M&A, the business was acquired by ICG in 2024, a FTSE listed, large cap PE fund. ICG and management have high ambitions for the business, strongly believing that in the next cycle it can be turned into a GBP 1bn+ enterprise value platform.

All of the senior management have remained with the business post sale including the CEO who has been with the business for several years and is extremely passionate about its continued future prospects. Given the business has grown consistently at 10% + CAGR in recent years there is a desire to invest further in talent to anchor the future success of the business. This role is one of those critical talent investments.

LBR is a B2B legal information and data services providing both business and practice of law services to the global legal services market, a huge part of the economy which continues to grow. The company also provides complimentary events and training services alongside its primary data services subscription division, providing a 'ecosystem' of offerings to its customers, driving high retention and growth.

It is a strategically stated intent of both ICG and management to grow the business through aggressive M&A options as well as organic growth over the next 4-5 years, capitalizing on the significant market opportunity.

LBR currently has revenue of GBP 90m and EBITDA of GBP 40m but the recent acquisition will double these numbers.

Key Responsibilities

The Role:We are seeking a strategically minded and hands-on IT Operations Director to lead the global IT function, reporting directly to the COO. You will be a member of the Group Leadership Team, leading a global team of IT professionals, with ownership of offshore teams and IT Vendors. You will be responsible for setting and executing the IT Target Operating Model (TOM) onshore, nearshore, and offshore teams. This role offers significant exposure to M&A, IT integration, and performance transformation within a dynamic PE-backed environment.

Mandate:As the IT Operations Director you will lead mission critical IT Infrastructure, systems and services. A pivotal role for the business, you will lead seamless integration, reliability and security of IT Operations, enabling the business to leverage technology as a competitive advantage.

As the business embarks on a post-merger integration strategy you will drive the holistic design of IT Target Operating Model and embed a new way of working to ensure the business remains agile, secure and poised for growth.

Key Responsibilities

• Define and implement the global TOM for onshore, nearshore, offshore IT Operations, ensuring scalability and alignment with strategic business needs.
• End-to-end ownership of internal IT operations, infrastructure, service management, and delivery excellence across the globe and partner ecosystems.
• Lead IT security strategy and implementation, including IT risk management, governance, and alignment with relevant frameworks.
• Build and maintain IT governance structures, ensuring compliance, business continuity, and proactive risk mitigation.
  Oversee relationships with third-party IT vendors and offshore providers, ensuring cost-effective and high-quality service delivery.
• Drive operational excellence and adoption of Microsoft O365 and other core business applications.
• Play a pivotal role in post-merger IT integration and due diligence processes.
• Lead and mentor a global IT team and outsourced technical partners.
• Collaborate with business leaders and stakeholders to drive IT strategy aligned with overall business growth.

Skills Knowledge and Expertise

• 8-10 years track record as IT Operations Director / Head of IT Operations in fast-paced, growing organisation
• Experience operating within Private Equity environments and navigating change, performance improvement, and transformation in a fast-paced PE environment
• Expertise in IT Security, IT Governance, Risk Management, and Vendor Management.
• Deep understanding of post-merger IT integration and IT due diligence processes.
• Familiarity with leading enterprise applications, particularly Microsoft 365 Suite.
• Strong leadership skills managing both internal teams and offshore partners.
• Hands-on with the ability to lead strategic direction while managing operational detail.
• Exceptional communication skills, with an ability to gain trust and drive adoption of new IT Strategy to global stakeholders
• Self-starter, who is results driven and can operate under pressure in a fast-moving PE environment
• Ability to succeed in an ambiguous changing environment

Benefits

Our people are our most valuable asset, as such, we offer a wide range of benefits to help ensure that all are supported:

Start of employment:

• Eye care
• Employee Assistance Programme
• A day off for your birthday

After 3 months employment:

• Pension (4% employer contribution and 4% employee contribution)

After 4 months employment:

• Life assurance

After probation:

• Cycle to work scheme
• Season ticket loan
• GBP 350 annual wellbeing allowance to contribute to gym memberships or fitness classes
• Puregym access
• Perks at work platform access

After 1 year service:

• Private healthcare

Additional Perks:

• Company socials
• Access to Employee Affinity Networks
• Mentoring scheme
• Volunteering Day
• Mortgage Advice
• Work from anywhere (2 weeks)
• Generous parental leave

We are committed to making our organisation an inclusive, respectful & engaging place to work with a culture shaped by our core values that promote equality, collaboration & respect in everything we do. We are proud to be part of the Disability Confident Scheme, meaning we are committed to being inclusive and accessible, which starts with our application and recruitment process. If you do require any reasonable adjustments to be made, please let us know as part of our application page.