Head of Technology Transformation
Newcastle | Hybrid Working | 18-Month Fixed-Term Contract
We’re supporting an established and highly successful financial services organisation through an important phase in the development of its technology function. Following significant growth and increasing complexity, the business is looking to build a more structured, consistent and high-performing technology department, with stronger capabilities across service, testing, operations and governance.
This is a senior, highly influential appointment working closely with the CTO and Technology Senior Leadership Team. We’re looking for someone who has previously operated as a CTO, CIO or equivalent technology executive and can bring the credibility, experience and practical insight required to strengthen the leadership team and guide a technology function through comparable scale and maturity challenges.
This is not a traditional programme delivery or consultancy role. The successful candidate will combine strategic thinking with independent, hands-on execution, setting the direction of change and then personally driving implementation. The focus will be on improving performance through clearer ownership, stronger leadership and better use of existing internal capability, rather than creating a large transformation team or relying heavily on external consultants.
Key Responsibilities
- Partner with the CTO as a credible strategic adviser and support the continued development of the Technology Senior Leadership Team.
- Lead the design and delivery of transformation initiatives across the technology function.
- Build a more structured, consistent and high-performing technology operating model.
- Strengthen capabilities across service management, testing, operations and governance.
- Improve service quality, operational stability, accountability and governance maturity.
- Reduce fragmented or duplicated working practices across technology teams.
- Develop and redirect existing internal capability, embedding sustainable improvements within established teams.
- Challenge existing practices constructively and introduce relevant external best practice.
- Work across delivery, development, security, infrastructure, risk and wider business stakeholders to create greater consistency and alignment.
- Establish the foundations for a permanent Head of Service position with clear accountability for service quality, stability, controls and operational performance.
We’re Looking For
- Significant previous experience operating as a CTO, CIO, Technology Director or equivalent senior technology executive.
- A proven track record of leading large-scale technology transformation within internal technology or engineering functions.
- Experience building, scaling or maturing technology functions through periods of rapid growth and increasing complexity.
- Strong experience improving technology service management, testing, operations and governance.
- The ability to move confidently from strategy into practical implementation without dependence on large consulting teams or significant additional headcount.
- Experience developing high-performing leadership teams and building capability within existing technology departments.
- Strong operating model design experience, with the ability to create clear ownership, accountability and consistent ways of working.
- Experience within financial services or another regulated environment.
- The credibility and gravitas to influence established senior stakeholders and constructively challenge existing practices.
- A pragmatic, resilient and delivery-focused approach, balancing pace with organisational capacity, quality and control.
The Opportunity
This is an opportunity to play a central role in shaping the next stage of a successful technology organisation. You’ll help create a more service-oriented, control-aware and high-performing function, strengthening its leadership, operating disciplines and internal capability while leaving behind a sustainable model with clear ownership and accountability.
Role Specifics:
- Hybrid - 2-3 days in the office
- Initial 18 month FTC
- Salary £200-250K
- Excellent bonus potential 30-50%