Head of IT

Are you an experienced, hands-on IT leader looking for a role where you can build a function from the ground up while keeping critical systems running?

Our client is a newly established organisation within the rail and logistics sector, operating at significant national scale. This role offers a rare opportunity to take ownership of IT during a business separation, ensuring continuity while shaping a modern, SaaS-led technology environment.

Head of IT
Birmingham (Hybrid)
Up to 80,000 per annum + Bonus + Benefits

In this role, you will be accountable for the stability, security, and performance of all IT and Operational Technology environments. You'll build and lead a team of circa 8, while ensuring 24/7 operational continuity across a complex, multi-site estate.

We're looking for someone pragmatic, structured, and delivery-focused Head of IT who can hit the ground running, take ownership of a time-critical transition, and bring clarity, control, and resilience to the IT function.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the transition and knowledge migration from the existing IT team to ensure no loss of critical system understanding
  Build, lead, and develop a new IT operations team (around 8 people)
  Ensure 24/7 availability and reliability of IT and OT systems supporting business operations
  Oversee infrastructure including networks, cloud platforms, servers, and end-user environments
  Implement and maintain structured incident, problem, and change management processes
  Lead root cause analysis and drive preventative improvements
  Own disaster recovery and business continuity planning, ensuring resilience across all systems
  Maintain strong cybersecurity controls, including patching, vulnerability management, and access control
  Manage third-party vendors, SLAs, and IT operational budgets
  Drive a culture of accountability, operational discipline, and continuous improvement

Skills and Experience

Essential:
Proven experience leading IT operations in a multi-site or operational environment
Strong technical background across infrastructure, cloud, and cybersecurity
Experience supporting or working alongside Operational Technology (OT) environments
Demonstrable ownership of system uptime, service performance, and incident management
Experience building or developing IT teams
Strong vendor management and budget oversight experience
Calm, structured approach with the ability to perform under pressure
Excellent communication skills across technical and non-technical stakeholders

Desirable:
Experience within regulated or safety-critical industries (e.g. rail, transport, energy, utilities, manufacturing)
Experience in business separation, carve-out, or greenfield environments
Exposure to SaaS-led transformations or modernisation programmes

If this Head of IT opportunity sounds of interest, please contact Nick Trussler at (url removed) or call on (phone number removed).

Spectrum IT Recruitment (South) Limited is acting as an Employment Agency in relation to this vacancy.