Head of IT Delivery – 6 Month FTC

We are delighted to be working in partnership with one of the UK’s leading retail businesses, home to well known high-street brands and employing over 6,000 people, across a growing estate of over 240 stores. They are currently in the middle of several important change programmes, modernising core systems and setting the group up for the next phase of growth. They are looking to onboard a Head of IT Delivery to help them get these programmes over the line. This role is about making things happen. You’ll take ownership of IT and business change delivery across the group, bringing clarity, pace, and confidence to complex, in-flight work.

Working closely with senior leaders, you’ll be a key point of contact for the main IT partners and suppliers. It’s a hands-on leadership role managing a small team of project and programme managers in a fast-moving, consumer facing environment — ideal for someone who enjoys solving problems, cutting through noise, and keeping teams focused on what really matters.

Key responsibilities include:

• Take overall responsibility for delivery of key IT and digital change programmes.
• Oversee work across all core enterprise systems whilst keeping multiple brands, teams, and suppliers moving in the same direction across shared programmes.
• Make sure delivery translates into real improvements for retail outlets and support teams.
• Own go-live planning, cutover, and early-life support, with a strong focus on protecting trading.
• Own delivery plans, risks, budgets, and progress reporting.
• Work closely with architecture, security, integration, and data teams to keep solutions robust and supportable.

The successful candidate will have proven experience of leading IT delivery in multi-site retail, hospitality, or similarly hands-on consumer facing businesses. They will possess a solid track record delivering complex programmes involving systems like WFM, payroll, POS, digital, payments, and integrations, as well as a good understanding of how technology change affects day-to-day operations. Experience of managing multiple IT suppliers and delivery partners is essential, as well as a natural ability for working with senior stakeholders and making clear delivery calls.