Head of Digital and Transformation

Scottish Autism; Alloa; Hybrid; GBP 63,000 - 77,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Employer pension contributions up to 9

32 days annual leave increasing to 37

Enhanced maternity and sick pay

Employee Assistance Programme

Long service awards

Annual Values Awards

Learning and development opportunities

HSF Health Plan

Employee rewards platform

Blue Light Scheme access

Job summary

Scottish Autism seeks a visionary Head of Digital and Transformation to shape the charity's ICT strategy and lead critical transformation initiatives across Scotland. Reporting to the Director of Finance & Business Services, you will drive digital strategy, oversee cyber security and infrastructure, and guide technology-enabled improvements for colleagues and service users.

You will build a high-performing team, partner with senior leaders, and champion emerging technologies while ensuring

Qualifications

• Significant experience leading ICT functions and digital transformation programmes at a senior level.
• Experience developing technology strategy aligned to business objectives.
• Experience leading multidisciplinary technology teams and developing high-performing cultures.
• Strong understanding of cyber security, governance, business continuity and disaster recovery planning.
• Experience managing suppliers, contracts and technology budgets.
• Knowledge of Microsoft technologies, including Microsoft 365, SharePoint, Active Directory and broader cloud-based environments.
• Experience delivering large-scale transformation, system implementation or organisational change programmes.
• Strong stakeholder management skills with the ability to influence and engage colleagues at all levels.
• Knowledge of recognised frameworks such as ITIL, PRINCE2 and information security standards including ISO27001.
• A passion for using technology to deliver meaningful organisational and customer outcomes.

Responsibilities

• Developing and delivering the organisation's ICT and Digital Strategy.
• Leading digital transformation initiatives and business improvement programmes.
• Establishing and governing cyber security frameworks, risk management processes and digital resilience strategies.
• Creating and maintaining a Digital and Cyber Risk Strategy and associated reporting for governance committees.
• Managing ICT infrastructure, cloud hosting environments, business applications, Microsoft 365 services and service delivery functions.
• Driving continuous improvement across ICT services, ensuring a secure, responsive and efficient service.
• Reviewing and optimising existing systems, including ERP platforms and core business applications.
• Leading procurement activities, supplier management and contract negotiations to ensure best value.
• Managing ICT budgets and ensuring effective financial control and governance.
• Building strong relationships with stakeholders across the organisation and providing expert advice to the Executive Leadership Team and Board.
• Supporting the adoption of emerging technologies, including data-driven solutions, automation and AI-enabled approaches where appropriate.

Skills

Leadership

Stakeholder management

Strategic thinking

Cyber security awareness

Cloud technologies

Microsoft 365

Job description

Home-Based / Hybrid (travel to Alloa and sites across Scotland as required)

Eden Scott is delighted to be working in partnership with Scottish Autism to recruit a newly created Head of Digital and Transformation role. This is a rare opportunity for an experienced technology leader to shape digital strategy and drive transformation across one of Scotland's leading charitable organisations.

The Organisation

Scottish Autism is dedicated to promoting and providing care, education, support and opportunities for autistic people of all ages throughout Scotland. Its vision is to create a world where autistic people are understood and enabled to lead meaningful, fulfilling and happy lives as valued members of their communities. With approximately 1,200 colleagues supporting people across Scotland, technology plays a critical role in delivering high-quality services and enabling positive outcomes.

Guided by its values of Collaboration, Change Makers, Compassion and Contribution, Scottish Autism is committed to continuous improvement and innovation in the way services are delivered. Following a recent review of ICT provision, the organisation is investing in its digital future and has created this new leadership role to help shape and deliver the next phase of its transformation journey.

The Role

Reporting into the Director of Finance & Business Services, the Head of Digital and Transformation will provide strategic leadership across all ICT and digital services. You will develop and implement the organisation's digital strategy, oversee cyber security and infrastructure, lead transformation programmes and ensure technology services effectively support colleagues and service users across the organisation.

This is a highly visible leadership position that combines strategy, operational management and transformation. You'll lead the ICT function, develop a high-performing team and work closely with senior leaders to identify opportunities where technology can improve efficiency, service delivery and decision-making.

Key responsibilities will include:

• Developing and delivering the organisation's ICT and Digital Strategy.
• Leading digital transformation initiatives and business improvement programmes.
• Establishing and governing cyber security frameworks, risk management processes and digital resilience strategies.
• Creating and maintaining a Digital and Cyber Risk Strategy and associated reporting for governance committees.
• Managing ICT infrastructure, cloud hosting environments, business applications, Microsoft 365 services and service delivery functions.
• Driving continuous improvement across ICT services, ensuring a secure, responsive and efficient service.
• Reviewing and optimising existing systems, including ERP platforms and core business applications.
• Leading procurement activities, supplier management and contract negotiations to ensure best value.
• Managing ICT budgets and ensuring effective financial control and governance.
• Building strong relationships with stakeholders across the organisation and providing expert advice to the Executive Leadership Team and Board.
• Supporting the adoption of emerging technologies, including data-driven solutions, automation and AI-enabled approaches where appropriate.

The Person

We're keen to speak with strategic technology leaders who combine strong technical expertise with excellent leadership and stakeholder management skills.

You will bring:

• Significant experience leading ICT functions and digital transformation programmes at a senior level.
• A track record of developing and implementing technology strategy aligned to business objectives.
• Experience leading multidisciplinary technology teams and developing high-performing cultures.
• Strong understanding of cyber security, governance, business continuity and disaster recovery planning.
• Experience managing suppliers, contracts and technology budgets.
• Knowledge of Microsoft technologies, including Microsoft 365, SharePoint, Active Directory and broader cloud-based environments.
• Experience delivering large-scale transformation, system implementation or organisational change programmes.
• Strong stakeholder management skills with the ability to influence and engage colleagues at all levels.
• Knowledge of recognised frameworks such as ITIL, PRINCE2 and information security standards including ISO27001.
• A passion for using technology to deliver meaningful organisational and customer outcomes.
• Professional ICT qualifications, project management certifications and experience within customer-focused organisations would be highly advantageous.

Why Join Scottish Autism?

This is an opportunity to make a genuine difference while leading a significant technology and transformation agenda. You'll join an organisation with a clear social purpose, a strong values-led culture and a commitment to investing in technology that enhances both colleague and service user experiences.

• Salary of £70,000 per annum
• Employer pension contributions of up to 9%
• 32 days annual leave increasing to 37 days with service
• Enhanced maternity and sick pay
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Long service awards
• Annual Values Awards
• Sector-leading learning and development opportunities
• HSF Health Plan
• Employee rewards platform
• Blue Light Scheme access

This is a fantastic opportunity for a proven technology leader to shape the future of digital services within a values-driven organisation, delivering meaningful impact for colleagues, service users and communities across Scotland.