IT Director M&A, Transformation & Infrastructure

Traveltechessentialist; Greater London; On-site; GBP 140,000 - 210,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Healthcare coverage

Equity plans

Flexible time off

Paid parental leave

Commuting support

Mental health resources

Travel-related perks

Job summary

Navan seeks a Director of IT – M&A, Transformation & Infrastructure to drive post‑merger integration and large‑scale technology transformations. You will partner with executive leadership to translate business strategy into scalable IT roadmaps and oversee multi‑track programs across cloud, data centers, and security.

You will lead cross‑functional teams of engineers, architects, and project managers, ensuring timely, on‑budget delivery while aligning with enterprise standards and governance.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of progressive IT experience with at least 4–5 years in IT leadership/management roles.
• Proven hands-on experience planning and executing M&A integrations, carve-outs, and enterprise migrations.
• Strong technical background as Systems Engineer or Infrastructure Architect in hybrid-cloud environments.
• Demonstrated program management expertise across complex, multi-stream programs (PMP/PgMP or Agile/Scrum preferred).
• Exceptional business acumen, budgeting (CAPEX/OPEX) and senior executive communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead IT Due Diligence and Post-Merger Integration across target companies and create IT integration playbooks.
• Define target operating models, technology synergies, and risk mitigation for deal execution.
• Direct major transformation programs including cloud/infrastructure migrations from inception to stabilization.
• Establish governance, KPIs, risk registries, and reporting across multiple projects.

Skills

IT leadership

M&A integration

Program management

Hybrid-cloud architectures

Executive communication

Security fundamentals

Education

Bachelor’s degree in CS/IT/Engineering

Master’s or MBA a plus

Tools

AWS/Azure/GCP

Networking

Microsoft 365

Virtualization & Data Center

Job description

The Director of IT – M&A, Transformation & Infrastructure is a critical strategic and operational leader responsible for driving post-merger integration (PMI), large-scale technology transformations, and enterprise IT migrations.

Acting as a key IT Business Partner to executives across diverse business verticals, this individual translates commercial strategy into seamless, scalable technology roadmaps. Backed by deep expertise in systems engineering and core enterprise infrastructure, the Director leads cross-functional teams, orchestrates complex multi-track programs, and ensures that technology investments deliver measurable business value on time and within budget.

Key Responsibilities

M&A Strategy & Program Management

• Lead IT Due Diligence and Post-Merger Integration (PMI) across target companies, establishing IT integration frameworks and playbooks.
• Define target operating models (TOM), technology synergies, and risk mitigation strategies for deal execution.
• Direct and oversee complex transformation programs and cloud/infrastructure migration projects from inception through stabilization.
• Establish clear program governance, KPIs, risk registries, and steering committee reporting across multiple concurrent projects.

Strategic Business Partnership & Liaison

• Serve as the primary IT Business Partner to leadership across distinct business verticals, aligning IT capabilities with operational and commercial goals.
• Translate complex business requirements into high-level IT architecture strategies and operational roadmap items.
• Drive stakeholder alignment, manage organizational change management (OCM), and communicate technology vision effectively to both technical and non-technical audiences.

Technical & Infrastructure Leadership

• Leverage strong foundational systems engineering expertise to evaluate, design, and modernize enterprise IT infrastructure (Cloud, Data Center, Network, Identity & Access Management, Security, Collaboration systems).
• Oversee infrastructure consolidation, legacy system sunsetting, data migration, and engineering and business platform transitions post-acquisition.
• Ensure all infrastructure architectures meet enterprise security, compliance, disaster recovery, and operational standards.

Leadership & People Management

• Build, lead, and mentor high-performing teams of systems engineers, project managers, solution architects, and third‑party consultants.
• Drive a culture of energy, accountability, innovation, and continuous improvement across the IT organization.
• Direct vendor selection, negotiate contracts with system integrators (SIs) and Managed Service Providers (MSPs), and manage external delivery teams.

Required Qualifications & Experience

• Experience: 10+ years of progressive IT experience, including a minimum of 4–5 years in IT leadership/management roles.
• M&A Track Record: Proven hands‑on experience planning and executing M&A integrations, carve‑outs, and enterprise-wide migration programs.
• Technical Background: Solid technical background as a Systems Engineer or Infrastructure Architect with deep knowledge of hybrid‑cloud environments (AWS/Azure/GCP), networking, enterprise storage, virtualization, Microsoft 365, and cybersecurity fundamentals.
• Program Management: Demonstrated expertise managing complex, multi-stream programs (PMP, PgMP, or Agile/Scrum certifications preferred).
• Business Acumen & Communication: Exceptional business acumen, financial literacy (CAPEX/OPEX budget management), and senior executive communication skills.
• Education: Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, Engineering, or a related field (Master’s or MBA is a plus).

Core Competencies & Soft Skills

• Energetic & Inspiring Leader: Ability to motivate cross‑functional teams through complex, fast‑paced transformations.
• Relationship Builder: High emotional intelligence (EQ) with strong interpersonal skills to navigate matrixed business organizations and influence senior stakeholders.
• Problem Solver: Calm under pressure with a decisive approach to unblocking program bottlenecks and resolving technical conflict.

Navan uses AI-assisted Automated Employment Decision Tool (Metaview) to assist with evaluating resumes against job qualifications for this role. All final decisions are made by human recruiters and hiring managers.

Human oversight: Metaview does not automatically reject candidates or make final hiring decisions. Our recruiters and hiring managers review all outputs and make the final hiring decision regarding every application.

Please refer to our Candidate Privacy Notice for more information about our processing of personal data, and your rights.

About Navan

Navan (Nasdaq: NAVN) is the global AI-powered business travel and expense platform that makes travel easy for frequent travelers. From finding flights and hotels, to automating expense reconciliation, with 24/7 support along the way, Navan delivers an intuitive experience travelers love and finance teams rely on. See how Navan customers benefit and learn more at navan.com.

Culture of Excellence

Our team is our competitive edge — a high-performance group of smart, driven people committed to winning together. This dedication to excellence is why we’ve been recognized as a Best Place to Work by Built In (2023–2026), a G2 Best Global Software Company (2025–2026), Forbes Cloud 100 (2022–2025), and CNBC Disruptor 50 (2022–2025). At Navan, we provide an environment where top talent excels, offering the autonomy and fast-paced trajectory needed to build a defining career and do the best work of your life.

Our Benefits

Navan offers a comprehensive benefits program designed to support your well-being, financial security, and life outside of work. Our benefits, thoughtfully tailored by country to meet local needs, include healthcare coverage, insurance offerings, and wellness resources for you and your family.

We support long-term financial growth through retirement savings programs and opportunities to participate in our equity plans, so you can share in Navan’s success. To promote balance, we offer flexible time off, country-specific holidays, and paid parental leave for all new parents. Additional benefits include connectivity and commuting support*, mental health resources, and exclusive travel-related perks. Wherever you’re based, our benefits evolve with you.

Workplace Policy

Navan believes in the value of in-person connections, whether that’s sitting down to have lunch with one another, taking a walking 1:1, or collaborating in a room together. The connections forged through face-to-face interactions improve company culture and drive business results. Navan invests in global office spaces — in the U.S., Europe, and Asia, among others — that feel welcoming. In-office perks such as company‑provided lunches and happy hours create a strong team environment to help you do your best work. Our employees work from the office four days a week. Please expect this policy for all roles that are tied to an office.

Equal Opportunity

Navan is an equal opportunity employer. We make all employment decisions based solely on merit. We provide equal employment opportunity to all applicants and employees without discrimination on the bases of race, religion, color, national origin, gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, status as a protected veteran, status as an individual with a disability, or other applicable legally protected characteristics. We prohibit any such discrimination or harassment. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including hiring.

Accommodations

Navan complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), as amended by the ADA Amendments Act, and all applicable state or local law. Navan will reasonably accommodate qualified individuals with a disability in connection with applications for employment as required by law.

If you need any assistance or accommodations due to a disability, you are welcome to email us at [e-mail].

Candidate Privacy Notice and Use of AI

As part of the recruitment process, certain personal data may be processed using automated tools, including tools that use AI. For details on how Navan collects and uses your personal data, please review Navan's Candidate Privacy Notice here.

*Applies to select locations.