This is a remote position.
Our new client is a rapidly growing, private equity-backed startup in the travel experiences industry, pursuing an ambitious global buy-and-build strategy.
Its portfolio consists of entrepreneurial, founder-led businesses operating across multiple countries. As the group expands, technology must evolve from locally managed environments into a secure, reliable and scalable group capability.
We are looking for a Head of IT to build and lead this capability, bringing practical structure and consistent standards to a growing international organisation.
The Role
Reporting directly to the CEO, you will own the strategy, operating model and day-to-day effectiveness of IT across the group.
This is a strategic and hands-on leadership role. You will define the Group IT Target Operating Model, covering infrastructure, end-user computing, service desk, cybersecurity, identity and access management, data protection, vendor management and IT governance.
You will build a pragmatic, scalable service model through a combination of Managed Service Providers (MSPs), specialist partners and internal resources, while ensuring that everyday technology issues are resolved effectively.
You will also play a central role in acquisitions, assessing target companies’ technology environments and leading their integration into the group.
Key Responsibilities
IT Strategy & Target Operating Model
- Define and implement the Group IT strategy and Target Operating Model.
- Determine which capabilities should be managed internally, outsourced to MSPs or delivered through specialist partners.
- Establish clear responsibilities and decision rights at group and local levels.
- Develop an IT organisation and service model that supports continued international acquisitions.
- Introduce appropriate standards, policies, governance and KPIs.
- Build a roadmap for moving portfolio businesses from fragmented local environments towards the agreed target state.
Infrastructure & End-User Technology
- Own the strategy and standards for devices, networks, connectivity, cloud infrastructure and workplace technology.
- Establish group standards for hardware, software, device management and lifecycle management.
- Improve technology resilience, performance and support across the portfolio.
- Lead infrastructure consolidation and migration initiatives where appropriate.
- Ensure acquired businesses can be onboarded efficiently into the group’s technology environment.
IT Service Management
- Design and implement a scalable Group IT service-management model.
- Establish service desk, incident, request, problem and change-management processes.
- Define service-level agreements and performance KPIs.
- Ensure employees across multiple countries receive responsive, high-quality technology support.
- Personally engage with operational issues when required.
Cybersecurity
- Establish and maintain an appropriate cybersecurity framework.
- Define minimum security standards for all portfolio companies.
- Own identity and access management, endpoint security, vulnerability management, backup and recovery, security monitoring and incident-response capabilities.
- Assess cybersecurity maturity across acquired businesses and prioritise remediation.
- Coordinate MSPs and specialist cybersecurity providers.
- Give the CEO and leadership team clear visibility of material cyber risks.
Data Protection & Privacy
- Establish a group operating model for data protection and privacy, defining the relationship between IT, Legal and external advisers.
- Ensure technical and operational controls support GDPR and other applicable privacy requirements.
- Define responsibilities for Data Protection Officer activities and ensure access to appropriate expertise.
- Support data mapping, retention, access controls, incident management and privacy-related technology requirements.
M&A Technology Due Diligence & Integration
- Partner with the M&A and Integration teams to assess technology risks, capabilities, technical debt and integration requirements.
- Identify cybersecurity, infrastructure, application, data, vendor and compliance risks before acquisition.
- Estimate integration requirements and one-off costs.
- Develop technology Day 1 and post-close integration plans.
- Lead technology integration while minimising disruption to acquired businesses.
- Establish a repeatable IT M&A integration playbook.
MSP & Vendor Management
- Design an MSP strategy for a geographically distributed organisation.
- Select, manage and hold central and regional MSPs accountable for service delivery.
- Rationalise overlapping vendors and services inherited through acquisitions.
- Establish clear contracts, service-level agreements, escalation processes and performance management.
- Optimise technology spend while maintaining service quality and resilience.
- Build productive relationships with software, infrastructure and security partners.
IT Transformation & Delivery
- Build and maintain a prioritised Group IT transformation roadmap.
- Personally lead or project-manage critical technology initiatives.
- Coordinate migrations, infrastructure changes, security remediation and systems implementation.
- Work with business leaders to ensure technology change supports operational priorities.
- Establish transparent reporting on IT projects, risks, costs and performance.
Leadership & Capability Building
- Act as the group’s senior IT leader and trusted adviser to the CEO and leadership team.
- Build internal IT capability progressively as the business scales.
- Develop clear roles across internal teams, portfolio companies, MSPs and other vendors.
- Manage the Group IT budget and support technology investment decisions.
- Build a culture of service, security, accountability and continuous improvement.
Requirements
- Significant experience leading IT within an international, multi-entity or distributed organisation.
- Demonstrated experience designing and implementing an IT Target Operating Model.
- Strong practical experience across infrastructure, end-user computing, IT service management and cybersecurity.
- Extensive experience designing and operating IT capabilities through Managed Service Providers.
- Experience leading complex IT transformation programmes.
- Strong understanding of cybersecurity risks and controls.
- Working knowledge of GDPR, privacy and data-protection operating requirements.
- Strong vendor, contract and commercial-management skills.
- Ability to operate at both strategic and operational levels.
- Willingness to personally solve problems and drive projects within a lean internal structure.
- Strong stakeholder-management skills, including working directly with CEOs, founders and senior leadership.
- Based in the UK and willing to travel internationally.
- Spanish language skill is a must
Highly Desirable
- Experience within a private equity-backed buy-and-build or roll-up environment.
- Direct experience of IT M&A due diligence and post-merger technology integration.
- Experience integrating small and medium-sized founder-led businesses.
- Experience building a Group IT function or shared-service capability from a decentralised or early-stage starting point.
- Experience in travel, hospitality, leisure, consumer services or another geographically distributed industry.
- Italian language skills.
- Experience working across Europe, the UK, North America and/or Latin America.
Benefits
- A key role in a rapidly growing, private equity-backed travel experiences startup.
- International exposure across a growing portfolio of acquired businesses.
- Close collaboration with senior leadership, founders and functional teams.
- Ownership across the full integration lifecycle, from pre-acquisition planning to measurable results.
- The opportunity to shape the group’s integration approach, playbooks and operating models.
- Location: United Kingdom
- Long-term assignment
- Permanent/B2B Contract
- Ful-time role
