IT Director

Russam; Leeds; On-site; GBP 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

Russam is recruiting an IT Director to lead technology at a UK pension provider at a pivotal stage of its development. You will assess the existing technology estate and shape its future direction, translating strategy into a practical roadmap for change.

The role focuses on modernising applications and infrastructure, strengthening data governance and cybersecurity, and ensuring delivery aligns with business priorities. You will work closely with the Executive team and Board.

Qualifications

• Experience leading technology strategy and architecture.
• Legacy modernisation and systems integration experience.
• Data management and governance expertise.
• Cybersecurity and resilience experience.
• Technology transformation and change management.
• Supplier and outsourced service management.
• Budget and investment governance.
• Executive and Board-level stakeholder engagement.
• Experience in pensions, financial services or regulated data-intensive environments is advantageous.

Responsibilities

• Assess current applications, infrastructure and architecture.
• Modernise the technology estate.
• Develop data strategy and governance.
• Strengthen cybersecurity and resilience.
• Improve service management and performance.
• Manage technology suppliers and contracts.
• Prioritise investment and deliver projects.
• Develop the technology team with clear accountability.
• Collaborate with Executive team and Board on decisions.

Skills

Strategic thinking

Operational excellence

Stakeholder engagement

Technology strategy

Architecture

Data governance

Cybersecurity

Supplier management

Budget management

Executive communication

Board liaison

Job description

Russam is working with an established UK workplace pension provider to appoint an IT Director at an important stage in the organisation’s development.

The organisation supports hundreds of thousands of members and thousands of employers and is continuing to invest in its services, technology and data capabilities as it develops its proposition and prepares for future growth.

The Role

This is a broad leadership role with the opportunity to assess the existing technology estate and shape its future direction. The successful candidate will develop a clear technology and data strategy, translating this into a practical and affordable roadmap for change.

Key areas of focus will include:

• Reviewing the current applications, infrastructure, integrations and technical architecture.
• Simplifying and modernising the technology estate.
• Improving data architecture, quality, governance and accessibility.
• Strengthening cybersecurity, resilience and technology risk management.
• Improving service management and operational performance.
• Managing key technology suppliers, contracts and outsourced services.
• Prioritising technology investment and strengthening project delivery.
• Developing the technology team and creating clear accountability.
• Working closely with the Executive team and Board to ensure technology decisions support wider business priorities.

The Person

We are looking for an experienced technology leader who can combine strategic thinking with strong operational understanding..

You are likely to bring experience across several of the following areas:

• Technology strategy and architecture.
• Legacy modernisation and systems integration.
• Data and information management.
• Cybersecurity and operational resilience.
• Technology transformation and change.
• Supplier and outsourced service management.
• Technology budgets and investment.
• Governance and programme delivery.
• Executive and Board-level stakeholder engagement.

Experience within pensions, financial services, insurance or another regulated, data-intensive environment would be advantageous, although direct pensions experience is not essential

This is an excellent opportunity for an IT Director who wants to shape a technology function and its strategy, rather than simply inherit an established roadmap.