VP - Head of IT & Cloud

Location: Flexible within UK/EU Type: Full-Time Level: Senior Leadership We are seeking an experienced IT Leader to drive the strategic direction, development, and execution of our Information Technology operations across the EU region. This pivotal role will ensure that IT infrastructure, systems, and services are robust, scalable, and fully aligned with our business objectives and rapid growth across the EMEA markets. Role Overview: As the IT Leader, you will hold a pivotal and strategic position, responsible for the complete oversight, development, and execution of all Information Technology strategies and operations throughout the entire EU region. This role is crucial for ensuring that our IT capabilities are not only robust and efficient but also directly aligned with and supportive of the overarching strategic objectives and rapid growth trajectory of the business across the diverse EMEA markets. Key Responsibilities and Strategic Focus Areas: Strategic IT Leadership and Vision: - Develop, champion, and implement a comprehensive, long-term IT roadmap for the EU region that is integrated with global IT architecture while addressing specific local business requirements and compliance mandates. - Act as the primary IT liaison and strategic partner to senior business leaders within the EU executive team. - Manage and control the regional IT budget, ensuring fiscal responsibility and maximizing the return on technology investments. Team Leadership and Development: - Lead, mentor, and inspire a dynamic, geographically dispersed team of IT professionals, fostering a culture of high performance, collaboration, continuous improvement, and technological innovation. - Define organizational structures, recruit key talent, and manage vendor/contractor relationships to ensure adequate IT staffing and expertise across the region. - Oversee performance management and professional development plans for all regional IT staff. Infrastructure Optimization and Modernization: - Drive major initiatives to modernize and optimize the existing IT infrastructure, ensuring maximum availability, scalability, and performance across all EU offices and operational sites. - Leverage Cloud Technologies: Accelerate the adoption and management of public, private, and hybrid cloud solutions (e.g., IaaS, PaaS, SaaS) to enhance flexibility, reduce capital expenditure, and improve disaster recovery capabilities. - SD-WAN Implementation: Lead the deployment and management of Software-Defined Wide Area Network (SD-WAN) technologies to optimize network connectivity, improve application performance, and provide secure, cost-effective bandwidth across all regional locations. Information Security and Compliance: - Spearhead the development and rigorous implementation of advanced security measures and protocols across the entire EU IT ecosystem to protect corporate assets, intellectual property, and customer data from evolving cyber threats. - Ensure strict compliance with all relevant regional data protection regulations, including GDPR, and local industry-specific standards. - Oversee vulnerability management, incident response planning, and regular security audits. Service Delivery and Business Enablement: - Establish and maintain high standards for IT service delivery, measured by clear Service Level Agreements (SLAs) for reliability and user satisfaction. - Proactively identify and implement new technologies that can enhance business operations, increase productivity, and provide a competitive advantage in the EU market. - Oversee the management of key business applications and collaboration tools utilized by the regional workforce. Qualifications: - Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, or related field; Master's degree preferred. - Proven experience 10 in a leadership role overseeing IT operations within a multinational organization. - Extensive hands-on experience with cloud platforms (e.g., AWS, Azure, GCP) and SD WAN technologies. - Strong understanding of network architecture, protocols, and security principles. - Excellent leadership and communication skills, with the ability to inspire and motivate teams. - Demonstrated ability to develop and execute strategic IT initiatives that drive business value. - Relevant certifications (e.g., Cloud Certified Solutions Architect, CCIE, CISSP) are a plus.