Head of IT Services

Motability Foundation; Harlow; Hybrid; GBP 88,000 - 97,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

26 days annual leave, plus option to 5

Wellbeing day

Pension up to 20%, non-contributory 10

Life Assurance 4x salary

Private healthcare (BUPA)

employee assistance programme

EV charging & free parking

Learning and development opportunities

Job summary

The Motability Foundation invites applications for Head of IT Services. You will manage all IT services and drive our digital, data and technology strategy from a single-site in Harlow. The role focuses on Microsoft technologies and ensuring day-to-day operations continue while evolving to meet future challenges.

You will lead a team of 14 plus contract support, oversee infrastructure, security, supplier relationships, IT governance and budget management in a charity environment.

Qualifications

• Significant IT experience with strong Microsoft technologies (M365) and networking (LAN/WAN Cisco).
• Experience in IT infrastructure planning and development with capital projects and budgets.
• Knowledge of different software systems, architectures and compatibility requirements.
• Experience of managing suppliers and supplier relationships.
• Able to communicate and influence clearly, both verbally and in writing.
• Ability to motivate and develop a diverse team.
• Define, deliver and support strategic IT plans for the business.
• Experience working within a not-for-profit environment.
• Demonstrable IT change management leadership.
• Able to stay resilient and focused on the future state.

Responsibilities

• Oversee and direct development of IT infrastructure, applications, networks, security and telecoms.
• Ensure a robust IT business continuity plan as part of the overall strategy.
• Direct procurement of IT hardware, software and maintenance per policy.
• Ensure compliance with all IT policies and regulatory audits.
• Manage data exchange procedures with Scheme Partners and Government Agencies.
• Ensure licensing requirements for hardware and software are met.
• Oversee updates to hardware and software to stay within support and business needs.
• Ensure system and data security is continually tested against new threats.
• Build and deploy the IT roadmap aligned with Motability Foundation strategy.
• Support Executives in IT investment strategy reviews and future-proof planning.
• Lead IT opportunities and threats discussions with executives and stakeholders.
• Maintain project governance to initiate only supported projects.
• Deliver IT projects against timelines, deliverables and budgets.
• Design future IT organisational structure, roles and cost efficiency.
• Partner with business to deliver digital, data and technology solutions.
• Work with management, partners and suppliers to meet defined SLAs.
• Solicit and act on business feedback to improve IT service delivery.
• Lead, develop and motivate the internal IT team of 14 plus contract support.

Skills

Microsoft technologies (M365)

Networking (LAN/WAN Cisco)

IT infrastructure planning

Capital projects & budgeting

Software systems knowledge

Supplier management

Communication & influencing

Team leadership

IT policy & compliance

Not-for-profit experience

Change management

Resilience & future-state thinking

Education

IT degree or equivalent

MCSE/MCP certification

ITIL Foundation

BCP/DR planning experience

Tools

Virtualization technologies

Cloud Computing/SaaS

GDPR awareness

Job description

Salary: £88,000 - £97,000 DOE

Hours: 37.5 hours per week

Reports to: CFO

Direct reports: Team of14across Service Desk, IT Operations, Systems and Data and Security.Plusleadingadditionalcontract support.

Location: Harlow, Essex. Easily commutable from London Liverpool Street or Tottenham Hale Station. We offer a free minibus service to/from Harlow Town Train Station as well as free parking and EV charging on site.

Extra Information: Open to conversation on hybrid, flexible and compressed working arrangements. (Here you can mention minimum days in the office, travel requirements, flexible/blended working opportunities, training provided etc)

Key relationships:MotabilityFoundation Executive Committee, Board of Governors,Heads of Departments and Managers.

About the role:

The Head of IT Servicesis responsible forthe managementof all IT services for the Motability Foundationanddelivery of ourdigital,dataand technology strategy.Working in a single site environment, with a focus on Microsoft technologies, you will ensure that our business continues tooperatesuccessfullyday-to-day andcontinues toevolveto meet future challenges.

What you will be doing:

Network and Systems

• Oversee and direct thedevelopmentof infrastructure of IT applications, networks,securityand telecoms.

• Ensure we have a robustIT business continuity planthat forms partofthe overall business continuity strategy.

• Oversee and direct the procurement of IT hardware,softwareand maintenance in line with company policy.

• Ensure that all other IT policies and procedurescomply withstatutory and regulatory requirements, are regularly reviewed and the required audits are in place to ensure compliance.

• Oversee all data exchange procedures with Scheme Partners and Government Agencies.

• Ensure compliance with all hardware and software licensing requirements.

• Responsible for the management of hardware and software updates ensuring that all systemsremainwithin support and meet the on-going requirements of the business.

• Ensuring that system and data security is continuously tested for new IT viruses, be alert to new security risks and have plans in place to deal with them.

IT Strategy

• Build upon and deploy theIT roadmap for all hardware and softwarein line with the overall Motability Foundation digital,dataand technology strategy.

• Provide technical and professional support to the Executives in theirlonger-termreview of IT investment strategy based on future business needs and processes.

• Provide leadership with regards to emerging IT opportunities and threats, providing recommendations to executives as and whenrequired.

• Maintainourstructured project developmentmethodologyto ensure that only relevant and supported projects areinitiated.

• Ensure the successful delivery ofapproved IT projectsagainst agreed timelines, deliverables,and budgets.

• Design and implement future organisational structure and roles for IT Functionensuring it is fit for purpose and cost effective.

Partnering withthe Business

• Act as a partner tothe business inidentifyingand delivering digital, data and technology solutions to support businessaims.

• Work withSeniorManagement, Scheme Partners andSuppliers to propose,agreeand deliver an IT service to defined Service Level Agreements.

• Continuously seek feedback from the business on the service provided by IT and develop action plans to put in place improvements.

Leading the Team

• Manage, develop, and motivatethethriving internalIT teamof14.Plus,leadingadditionalcontract support.

• Monitor performance against service level targets ensuring constructive and rapid solutions to problems.

• Maintain staff by recruiting, selecting, orienting, and training employees;maintaininga safe and secure work environment; developing personal growth opportunities.

• Empower employees to take responsibility for their jobs and goals. Delegate responsibility and expect accountability and regular feedback.

• Rolemodelour values ofbeingcollaborative,respectfuland evolving.

Managing our Costs

• Responsible for IT budget of c.£2million.

• Provide regularandad-hoc reports topresent totheExecutive Team.

• Analyse problems, researchsolutionsand present to the Executive Team.

• Raise and approve regular and ad-hoc IT purchase orders.

Your experience:

You will haveexcellent communicationskillsanda naturally collaborative approachtoidentifyingproblems,bringing togethersolutions,andcreating a plan to deliver the changesto makea real difference to the system users.Your ‘can do’ attitude willbe balanced with a pragmatic approach to problem solving and the ability manage a range of stakeholder expectations.

You will be passionate about IT adding value to the business and delivering support to our busy teams. Your ability to translate technical issuesinto meaningful plans willgreatly helpcolleagues who will look to you tolearn about new concepts and technologies.

If you’re interested in applying and excited about working with us but are unsure if you have the right skills and experience, we'd still encourage you to apply.

Must haves:

• Significant IT experience which includes a strong knowledge of Microsoft technologies(M365)and Networking (Lan/Wan Cisco technologies).

• Experience in IT infrastructure planning and development and managingsignificantcapital projects and budgets.

• Possesses good knowledge of different software systems, client/servicearchitecturesand various compatibility requirements.

• Experience of managing suppliers and supplier relationships.

• Able to communicate and influence clearly and persuasively, both verbally and in writing.

• Ability to motivate and develop a diverse team.

• Maintain a broad andlong-termperspective of IT developments to influence forward planning.

• Take ownership of and analyse problems, implementing practical solutions.

• Maintain organisational effectiveness and efficiency by defining,deliveringand supporting strategic plans for implementing information technologies.

• Experience working within anot for profitenvironment.

• Demonstrable experience of leading IT related change management initiatives.

• Able to remain resilient and focused on the future state.

Nice to haves:

• IT degree level (IT) or equivalent.

• MCSE/MCP certification.

• ITIL Foundation.

• Experience with Virtualization technologies.

• Experience of BCP/DR planning,implementationand testing.

• Experience of Cloud Computing/SaaS.

• GDPR awareness.

Who are we?

We are building a future where all disabled people have the transport options to make the journeys they choose.

We fund, support, research and innovate so that all disabled people can make the journeys they choose. We oversee the Motability Scheme and provide grants to help people use it, providing access to transport to hundreds of thousands of people a year. We award grants to charities and organisations who provide different types of transport, or work towards making transport accessible. We also carry out ongoing research, in partnership with disabled people and key stakeholders in the industry, to inspire innovations that continue to champion accessible transport for all.

Why choose us?

We want working for the Motability Foundation to be the best career move you’ve ever made. When you join the Motability Foundation you will join a group of people who are supportive, innovative and motivated to improve the lives of our beneficiaries.

We value everyone’s unique qualities and celebrate having a diverse, equitable and inclusive culture where everyone feels safe to be their authentic selves. This is embedded into our values, Collaborative, Respectful and Evolving.

We bring our people together through our People Forum, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Forum, Social Squad and our Wellbeing Champions and our employee Spotlight Awards help us recognise the excellence and dedication of our staff.

We are proud to be recognised as Disability Confident Leader, have attained Platinum Level Award for Investors in People and are members of the Business Disability Forum.

A career with Motability Foundation can offer you so much more than earning potential, we pride ourselves in offering some fantastic benefits. Some of these include:

• 26 days annual leave, plus the option to buy/s sell up to five days.

• One wellbeing day for extra flexibility.

• Pension scheme - Up to 20%, including a 10% non-contributory contribution and matched contributions up to 5%.

• Life Assurance of four times your salary.

• Private healthcare through BUPA for you and your family, along with a Medicash Health Plan.

• Employee assistance programme: GP appointments, eye tests, flu vaccinations, sick pay and free gym and yoga sessions.

• Enhanced Parental Leave, including Adoption Pay.

• Free parking, EV charge points and a minibus service to/from the town centre and train station.

• Fresh fruit, breakfast snacks, and a Dress for Your Day dress code.

• Learning and development opportunities to help you grow.

Our vision is to create a charity where everyone feels like they belong, benefits from and participates in, the work we do. We actively encourage applications from people of all backgrounds and cultures, and we aim to be an employer of choice for candidates with disabilities.

As a Disability Confident Leader, we have committed to ensuring that disabled people and those with long term health conditions have the opportunities to fulfil their potential. We want to ensure everyone has the opportunity to perform their best when interviewing and when working with us, so if you require any reasonable adjustments that would make you more comfortable, please let us know so that we can do our best to support you.

To help us create an inclusive workplace we are committed to offering to interview every disabled applicant who meets the minimum criteria for the job. Some of our roles attract a high volume of applications and in some circumstances, we may need to limit the number of interviews offered to disabled and non-disabled candidates.