Head of IT

About the Role

National Car Parks Limited (NCP) seeks an experienced, commercially focused Head of IT to lead a transformative period within our technology division. This role offers a chance to simplify complex systems, implement impactful change, and deliver cost-efficient technological solutions that align with broader business objectives.

Initially hired on a 12-month fixed-term contract, the successful candidate will drive modernization of the IT infrastructure, standardize operational procedures, and ensure the technology function is prepared for future challenges.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead efforts to streamline and standardize IT processes company-wide, making them scalable, efficient, and business-aligned.
• Oversee significant infrastructure projects ensuring timely delivery and stable operations.
• Assess current IT environments, analyze alternatives, and recommend future platform strategies.
• Identify opportunities to reduce expenses, enhance efficiency, and maximize returns on technology investments.
• Manage primary IT vendors and contracts, guaranteeing value and reliable service.
• Collaborate with the Finance Director to develop strong business cases, control budgets, and ensure technology choices bolster commercial goals.
• Establish and maintain solid relationships with the Executive Team and organization-wide stakeholders, positioning IT as a trusted partner.
• Lead and nurture a lean IT team throughout the transformation, maintaining engagement and high performance.
• Provide practical leadership, eliminating unnecessary complications to ensure IT delivers tangible business value.

Candidate Requirements

• Proven experience leading IT departments through transformative initiatives.
• Demonstrated success managing large infrastructure and technology upgrade programs.
• Robust commercial skills including vendor management, contract negotiation, and cost optimization.
• Confidence collaborating with senior leaders, especially Finance, to form business cases and back investment decisions.
• Experience assessing enterprise infrastructure and virtualization solutions such as VMware.
• Exceptional communication skills capable of influencing and establishing trust at all organizational levels.
• Comfortable managing a small team and fostering a culture open to change.
• Hands-on, pragmatic problem solver who prefers simplicity over complexity.
• Resilient, decisive, and capable of delivering in dynamic commercial settings.

Desirable Experience

Preferred candidates will have backgrounds in multi-site, customer-centric sectors like Facilities Management, Retail, Transport, or Logistics where operational reliability and business performance are critical. Experience in modernizing IT infrastructure, vendor consolidation, and simplification initiatives will be highly valued.

Note: This position focuses on optimization and streamlining, not expansion of the IT team.

What We Provide

• Competitive salary package.
• Birthday bonus—an additional day off to celebrate.
• Reward and recognition programs.
• Free or discounted parking availability.
• Cycle to Work scheme offering up to £1,000 toward a bicycle.
• Company pension scheme.
• Death in service benefits.
• Employee assistance program for wellbeing and support.

How to Proceed

We encourage proactive candidates ready to make a strategic impact to apply for this key leadership role, contributing to the future success of IT at NCP.