Head of IT

Head of IT – Defence Sector Location: Cambridge - WFH 2 Days a week Salary: £120,000 DOE Contract: 12 Month Contract to then go permanent About the Role We are recruiting on behalf of a leading organisation in the defence sector for a **Head of IT**. This is a pivotal leadership role, driving a full IT transformation programme and ensuring technology remains a critical enabler of operational success. The successful candidate will partner with the CIO to restructure the IT function, oversee major system landscapes including ERP and CRM (IFS), and establish an IT capability tailored to the unique demands of the defence industry. Key Responsibilities

• Work directly with the CIO to assess and dismantle the current IT team structure design and implement a new, future-fit operating model.
• Define the IT capability requirements: identify roles, skills, and resources needed build and develop the new team.
• Lead IT transformation initiatives across infrastructure, applications, and processes, ensuring compliance with defence standards.
• Manage enterprise systems, particularly the CRM (IFS) and ERP platforms, ensuring they are secure, integrated, and scalable.
• Establish robust IT governance, cybersecurity, and risk management frameworks aligned with defence-sector regulations.
• Partner with internal business units to capture technology needs, prioritise projects, and deliver business value.
• Oversee vendor management, supplier relationships, and IT budgets, ensuring efficiency and strategic alignment.
• Set and monitor KPIs, SLAs, and service standards to deliver high-performing IT operations.

Experience & Skills

• Proven track record in senior IT leadership roles (Head of IT, IT Director, or equivalent) within the **defence sector**.
• Strong experience dismantling, rebuilding, and scaling IT teams during transformation programmes.
• Expertise in ERP and CRM systems, ideally with direct experience of IFS.
• Deep technical knowledge of IT infrastructure, cybersecurity, cloud/hybrid environments, and data governance.
• Familiarity with defence compliance requirements, security protocols, and industry certifications.
• Strong leadership, influencing, and stakeholder-management skills at board and operational levels.
• Financial acumen with experience managing budgets and vendor contracts.

Candidate Profile

• Must come from a **defence background** with clear understanding of sector-specific security, compliance, and operational requirements.
• Resilient and adaptable leader, capable of navigating complex environments and driving cultural change.
• Strategic thinker with a hands-on approach to delivery.
• High levels of integrity and professionalism, suited to working in a regulated, security-sensitive industry.

If you are an experienced IT leader from the defence sector with a passion for transformation, this opportunity offers the chance to reshape and lead a mission-critical IT function. CANDIDATES MUST BE ABLE TO OBTAIN SECURITY CLEARANCE