Head Of IT

Connection Support; Oxford; Hybrid; GBP 43,000 - 45,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

30 days' annual leave

Occupational sick pay

Health-related benefits

Eco-travel incentives

Retail discounts

Learning and development opportunities

A supportive and inclusive working环境

Job summary

Connection Support is seeking a Head of IT to lead our technology function, ensuring security, reliability and forward-looking innovation. You will shape strategy, manage budgets and contracts, and drive digital transformation to support frontline services and colleagues.

With hybrid working across UK locations including Oxford, you will collaborate with senior leaders, translate technical matters into business language, and balance risk, cost, and organisational needs while delivering

Qualifications

• Experience leading an IT function or large IT service.
• Experience managing suppliers, contracts, budgets and technology investment.
• Strong knowledge of Microsoft 365, cloud technologies, cyber security and information governance.
• Experience delivering system implementations or digital transformation projects.
• Ability to communicate complex technical information to non-technical audiences.
• Strong stakeholder management and relationship-building skills.
• Balance strategic thinking with operational delivery and problem solving.
• A full UK driving licence and access to a vehicle.

Responsibilities

• Developing and delivering the organisation's technology strategy and roadmap.
• Leading cyber security, business continuity, and technology risk management.
• Managing technology budgets, contracts, suppliers, and strategic investment.
• Overseeing digital transformation and system improvement projects.
• Ensuring IT services remain secure, reliable, and responsive to organisational needs.
• Supporting the effective use of data, reporting, and information governance.
• Leading and developing the IT function.

Skills

IT leadership

Cyber security

Budget management

Vendor management

Microsoft 365

Cloud technologies

Information governance

Stakeholder management

Job description

We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and are committed to increasing diversity, particularly encouraging candidates from underrepresented groups to apply. If you’re not sure a role is right for you or feel there may be any perceived barriers to applying, please get in touch, we’d love to have a conversation with you.

Email: [e-mail]

Are you passionate about using technology to help people and organisations thrive?

As Connection Support continues to grow and evolve, technology plays a vital role in how we deliver services, support colleagues, and achieve our organisational goals. We're looking for a Head of IT who can lead our technology function, ensuring our systems are secure, reliable, and fit for the future while helping us embrace innovation and digital change.

You’ll play a key role in supporting frontline services, protecting sensitive information, and shaping the organisation's future technology strategy.

Does this sound like something you want to be a part of?

About The Role

This is more than a traditional IT management role. We're looking for someone who can balance strategy, security, service delivery, and innovation while leading a secure, reliable, and forward-thinking technology function.

From cyber security and supplier management to digital transformation and AI, you’ll play a key role in shaping the future of technology at Connection Support.

The Impact You Will Have

As Head of IT, you will lead technology across Connection Support, ensuring our systems, suppliers, and digital services support organisational priorities, enable frontline delivery, and provide a positive experience for colleagues.

Key responsibilities include:

• Developing and delivering the organisation's technology strategy and roadmap.
• Leading cyber security, business continuity, and technology risk management.
• Managing technology budgets, contracts, suppliers, and strategic investment.
• Overseeing digital transformation and system improvement projects.
• Ensuring IT services remain secure, reliable, and responsive to organisational needs.
• Supporting the effective use of data, reporting, and information governance.
• Leading and developing the IT function.

This is an exciting opportunity to shape the future of technology at Connection Support. Your leadership will help ensure our systems remain secure, sustainable and effective while enabling colleagues to focus on delivering high-quality support to the people who need it most.

Contract Details

Contract: Permanent

Hours: Full-time, 37.5 hours per week

Working Pattern: Monday-Friday

Location: Hybrid working, with regular travel across Connection Support locations as required, including Oxford, Milton Keynes, Aylesbury, High Wycombe, Banbury, Northampton, and Bedford.

Salary: £43,168 - £45,449

Closing Date: Monday 23rd November

Introduction Call: Commencing from 9th November

As part of our recruitment process, we invite selected candidates to a short introductory call. We believe this helps candidates better understand the role, ask any questions and feel more prepared if invited to interview.

Interview Date(s): We will review applications on an ongoing basis and anticipate holding interviews from 16th November onwards. Additional interview dates are currently scheduled for 26th November & 8th December.

We reserve the right to close this advert early should a suitable candidate be identified.

About You

We're looking for someone who can combine strategic thinking with a practical approach, building strong relationships and helping the organisation make the most of technology. You'll be comfortable working with senior leaders, translating technical matters into clear business language, and making decisions that balance risk, cost, innovation and organisational need.

You may already be leading an IT function, managing a substantial technology service, or looking to take the next step into a broader strategic leadership role.

You'll Bring:

• Experience leading an IT function, technology team or significant IT service.
• Experience managing suppliers, contracts, budgets and technology investment.
• Strong knowledge of Microsoft 365, cloud technologies, cyber security and information governance.
• Experience delivering system implementations, digital transformation projects or significant technology change.
• The ability to communicate complex technical information to non-technical audiences.Experience leading, developing and supporting teams.
• Strong stakeholder management and relationship-building skills.
• The ability to balance strategic thinking with operational delivery and problem solving.
• A commitment to continuous improvement, innovation and service excellence.
• Full UK driving licence and access to a vehicle

Experience of working within a charity, housing, social care, health or community-based environment would be advantageous but is not essential.

Application Screening Questions

As part of the application process, you will be asked questions relating to the essential requirements of the role. If you answer "No" to any of these questions, you may receive a regret email. If you believe this has happened in error, please contact [e-mail] and we will be happy to review your application.

What We Offer In Return

We have been named one of the UK's top charities to work for by Best Companies and offer a generous benefits package, including:

• 30 days' annual leave (pro rata) plus bank holidays
• Occupational sick pay
• Health-related benefits
• Eco-travel incentives
• Retail discounts and more
• Learning and development opportunities
• A supportive and inclusive working environment

If you require any adjustments or additional support during the recruitment process, please let us know and we will be happy to discuss your requirements.

Connection Support is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of vulnerable adults, children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.