Head of IT

Head Of IT - Job Description Role Title: Head of IT - Office based Location: Runcorn, Cheshire Reports To: Managing Director DCB Legal Salary Range: Up to £70,000 per annum (DOE) Role Overview We are seeking an experienced Head of IT (Operations) to oversee the day‑to‑day delivery, stability, and performance of the firm’s technology function. This is a hands‑on, operational leadership role, focused on ensuring IT services, internal development, and management information systems run reliably, securely, and efficiently to support the business. We are a specialist in the provision of debt resolution and legal services relating to Civil and Commercial litigation, debt recovery, property, and High Court Enforcement disputes. We focus on providing a contemporary low touch, bespoke service in our specialist field of debt recovery and litigation for the Group. Key Responsibilities IT Operations & Service Management Own the day‑to‑day operation of IT services across the business Ensure systems, infrastructure, networks, and end‑user technology are stable, secure, and fit for purpose Oversee incident management, problem resolution, and service continuity Maintain effective onboarding and offboarding processes Ensure appropriate business continuity, backup, and disaster recovery arrangements are in place Team Leadership & Oversight Provide line management and operational oversight for: IT Services Manager Lead Developer BI / MI Analytics Manager Set clear priorities, workloads, and delivery expectations Ensure teams are aligned to operational business needs together with a clear view of long‑term roadmap delivery Support performance management, development, and recruitment where required Development Oversight (Operational) Oversee the internal development team from a delivery and governance perspective, not hands‑on coding Ensure Development work is prioritised appropriately Releases are controlled and well‑managed Systems are supported post‑deployment Act as the operational link between development and business users Technical debt, fixes, and enhancements are managed pragmatically MI & Reporting Oversight Oversee the MI / BI function to ensure: Reporting is accurate, timely, and trusted Dashboards and datasets support operational decision‑making Data quality issues are identified and resolved Act as escalation point for MI delivery or resourcing issues Systems, Security & Compliance Ensure IT systems comply with internal policies and relevant regulatory requirements (e.g. GDPR, access controls) Maintain appropriate user access, audit trails, and security controls Work with external suppliers and internal stakeholders on security, risk, and compliance matters Ensure documentation, procedures, and change controls are maintained Supplier & Vendor Management Manage third‑party IT suppliers, software vendors, and support partners Control licensing, renewals, and operational costs Ensure suppliers meet agreed service levels Stakeholder Support Act as the primary IT escalation point for senior management Work closely with Operations, Legal, Client Services, and Finance to resolve technology issues Translate operational business needs into clear IT actions Experience And Education Essential Strong background in IT operations and service delivery Proven experience managing IT, development, or data teams – we would prefer 5‑10 years experience working in IT, with 3‑5 years of management or leadership experience Experience supporting business‑critical systems in a regulated or operational environment Comfortable acting as an escalation point and decision‑maker Desirable Experience overseeing internal development teams Familiarity with MI / BI reporting environments Experience managing third‑party IT suppliers Education: A bachelor's or Master’s degree in computer science, engineering, infrastructure management or a related technical field would be preferred, but we will consider candidates with significant experience in lieu of a formal qualification. Certifications: Relevant professional certifications (e.g., PMP, AWS Certified Solutions Architect, CISSP) can be beneficial. Benefits you will receive Monday – Friday schedule (36.5 hours per week – no weekend or evening work) Early finish Fridays Dress Down Fridays 30 days holiday (including Bank Holidays) Employee Assistance Programme Newly refurbished offices Free Mersey Gateway bridge pass Free parking Free tea and coffee facilities Free monthly lunch Employer contributed pension (applicable after qualifying period) Full training provided Career development and progression opportunities Rapidly expanding multi‑functional operation #J-18808-Ljbffr