Head of IT

Department: Central Functions

Location: London Heathrow

• Lead, develop and inspire the IT function, ensuring appropriate organisational structure, capability and resourcing to meet business requirements.
• Create a high-performance culture through effective coaching, mentoring, performance management and employee development.
• Set clear objectives and SMART targets aligned to business goals and performance frameworks.
• Develop succession plans and promote cross-functional training to build organisational resilience and capability.
• Identify and support professional development and external training opportunities that deliver business value.

• Develop and deliver a technology strategy aligned to the organisation's business objectives and future growth plans over a 3 to 5-year horizon.
• Partner with senior stakeholders to identify opportunities where technology can improve operational efficiency, customer experience and business performance.
• Ensure strategic initiatives gain engagement and endorsement from key business stakeholders.
• Represent IT in business development activities, customer engagements and RFP/RFI processes, providing technical expertise and cost-effective solutions.
• Establish and maintain processes for evaluating, approving and implementing new technologies, systems and applications.
• Monitor market, technology and industry trends to ensure the organisation remains innovative and competitive.

• Ensure the availability, security, performance and operational integrity of all business-critical applications and infrastructure services.
• Lead the delivery of reliable IT services through effective service management processes and clearly defined service level agreements.
• Establish and maintain robust change management and change control practices that balance operational stability with business agility.
• Oversee incident and problem management processes, leading responses to major outages and critical incidents.
• Manage stakeholder communications during service disruptions and coordinate supplier escalation where required.
• Drive continuous improvement across IT operations, processes and service delivery.

• Develop, manage and control the annual IT budget, ensuring expenditure aligns with business priorities and delivers value for money.
• Monitor and manage operational and project-related technology costs.
• Evaluate technology investments and develop business cases to support strategic decision-making.

• Manage strategic relationships with technology vendors, service providers and external partners.
• Ensure appropriate contractual arrangements are in place for all third-party services.
• Conduct regular service reviews and performance assessments against agreed SLAs and contractual commitments.
• Collaborate with Procurement and Legal teams to support sourcing activities, contract negotiations and supplier governance.
• Lead RFI/RFP processes for new technology solutions and services.

• Own and maintain the IT risk management framework and IT risk register.
• Support organisational audit, risk and compliance activities, ensuring technology-related risks are appropriately managed.
• Develop, implement and maintain IT policies, standards and governance frameworks.
• Ensure effective information security controls are in place to protect business systems, data and technology assets.
• Maintain robust user access management controls and ensure access rights are regularly reviewed and aligned to business responsibilities.
• Promote security awareness and compliance through training, communication and education initiatives.

• Sponsor and oversee the successful delivery of technology projects and transformation initiatives.
• Develop business cases, project plans and investment proposals for technology programmes.
• Ensure projects are delivered using agreed project management methodologies, standards and governance frameworks.
• Drive effective organisational change management, training and adoption activities to maximise project benefits and long-term sustainability.
• Measure and report on project outcomes, benefits realisation and return on investment.
  
  
  

• Proven experience leading and developing high-performing IT teams within a complex business environment.
• Strong people leadership, coaching, mentoring and performance management capabilities.
• Ability to influence, engage and build credibility with executive stakeholders and cross-functional teams.
• Experience driving cultural and organisational change.

• Broad knowledge of enterprise applications, infrastructure, networks, cloud technologies and end-user computing environments.
• Strong understanding of IT service management principles, including incident, problem, change and release management.
• Experience managing business-critical systems and ensuring high levels of availability, resilience and performance.
• Knowledge of cybersecurity principles, identity and access management, data protection and IT governance frameworks.

• Demonstrated ability to develop and execute technology strategies that support business growth and operational excellence.
• Commercially focused with strong business partnering skills and the ability to translate business needs into technology solutions.
• Experience supporting customer bids, RFP responses and strategic business initiatives.
• Ability to identify and implement technology-enabled process improvement opportunities.

• Proven experience managing IT budgets, forecasting expenditure and delivering cost optimisation initiatives.
• Strong commercial awareness with experience managing technology suppliers, contracts and service agreements.
• Ability to evaluate technology investments and develop compelling business cases.

• Experience implementing and maintaining IT governance, risk management and compliance frameworks.
• Strong understanding of information security policies, controls and industry best practices.
• Knowledge of audit processes, regulatory compliance requirements and technology risk management.

• Significant senior-level IT leadership experience, ideally within a multi-site operational or logistics environment.
• Degree-level qualification in Information Technology, Computer Science, Business Systems or a related field, or equivalent experience.
• Professional certifications such as ITIL, Prince2, PMP, Agile, Microsoft, AWS, CISSP or equivalent are desirable.
• Demonstrable track record of delivering strategic technology initiatives and operational excellence.
  
  

• An opportunity to be part of the Emirates global family.
• Free breakfast, lunch and dinner on site
• Free tea and coffee
• Simply health Plan
• Refer a Friend Scheme
• Discounted gym membership at over 2000 gyms nationwide
• Cycle to Work Scheme
• Opportunity to enhance your learning through our inhouse apprenticeship programme