Job Title: Head of IT (Contract) Location : Manchester- Hybrid 1 day on-site Contract Duration: 6 - 12 months Start Date : Immediately Rate: £450-500 per day Inside IR35 Role Overview My client is seeking a dedicated and experienced Head of IT to join their dynamic team on a contract basis. As a Head of IT, you will oversee the strategic direction, implementation, and management of all IT functions within the company. You will be responsible for ensuring the reliability, security, and scalability of our technology infrastructure, driving IT initiatives that support our business goals, and managing a talented team of IT professionals. This leadership role requires a combination of technical expertise, strategic vision, and excellent communication skills to partner with various business units and deliver solutions that support growth and innovation. Key Responsibilities: Strategic Leadership: Develop and implement IT strategy aligned with business goals, ensuring efficient use of technology across all departments as a Head of IT. Lead, mentor, and develop the IT department, fostering a collaborative and innovative environment. Work closely with senior management to identify IT needs and ensure technology investments align with organizational priorities. Infrastructure & Systems Management: Oversee the design, implementation, and maintenance of the company’s IT infrastructure, including networks, hardware, software, and cloud services. Ensure system performance, uptime, and scalability meet the company’s operational and strategic needs. Evaluate emerging technologies and make recommendations for improvements or upgrades to current systems. Cybersecurity & Risk Management: Develop and enforce IT security policies and procedures to protect the company’s data and infrastructure from cyber threats. Manage risk assessments and audits to ensure compliance with industry regulations and internal security standards as Head of IT Lead incident response planning, disaster recovery, and business continuity efforts. Project Management & IT Operations: Lead IT projects from inception to completion, ensuring they are delivered on time, within budget, and meet business requirements. Oversee day-to-day IT operations, ensuring optimal performance of all systems and services. Manage relationships with third-party vendors and service providers to ensure effective and cost-efficient IT solutions as a Head of IT Team Development & Support: Build and nurture a high-performing IT team, providing guidance, training, and professional development opportunities. Foster a culture of continuous improvement, collaboration, and innovation within the IT department. Provide technical support and escalation assistance to end-users and internal teams as necessary. Skills & Experience: Proven experience (10 years) in IT management, with at least 5 years in a leadership role. Extensive knowledge of IT infrastructure, including cloud computing, networking, hardware, and enterprise software as a Head of IT. Strong understanding of cybersecurity best practices and experience managing IT security. Excellent project management skills with experience leading complex IT initiatives. Experience managing IT budgets and resource allocation. Strong leadership and team management capabilities.