Head of IT

ROLE DESCRIPTION: Head of IT

Believ: ABOUT US

At Believ formerly known as Liberty Charge we believe sustainable transport should be accessible to everyone. Were a Charge Point Operator (CPO) on a mission to create the UKs most reliable electric vehicle charging network that doesnt cost the earth and leaves no one behind.

We work closely with local authorities and businesses to deliver reliable high quality charging networks at pace at scale and at zero cost.

We offer all the advantages of being a scale-up business but with the added security and long-term backing from well-known parents - Liberty Global (who also own our delivery partner Virgin Media O2) and Zouk Capital (who manage the Governments Charging Investment Infrastructure Fund).

Youll be joining this exciting journey at the start of our scale-up phase and work with us to hit the ambitious targets our shareholders have set. Youll become part of a passionate and supportive in-house cross functional Tech team of 15 people working on-site 3 days a week following agile and lean best practices.

About the role

We are seeking an experienced hands-on Head of IT to support the business as we scale bringing this capability in-house as we look to rationalise our shared services and external support models.

Reporting directly to the Chief Technology & Information Officer (CTIO) this role will be responsible for managing and supporting all IT services within our Microsoft-based ecosystem managing & continuously strengthening our cyber posture and overall governance of our interconnected systems and data.

The ideal candidate will have a strong background in IT service management cybersecurity experience in budgeting vendor management and is passionate about optimising IT processes and improving the user experience.

Key Responsibilities

Data Strategy Architecture & Interconnected Systems

• Define and own the organisations data strategy ensuring data is accurate accessible secure and aligned with business objectives.
• Oversee the architecture and integration of interconnected systems to ensure seamless data flow across platforms.
• Establish data governance standards including data ownership classification retention and lifecycle management.
• Ensure data integrity reporting capability and appropriate access controls across all systems.
• Lead initiatives to improve data visibility automation and interoperability between core business systems.

Cyber Security & Risk Management

• Own the organisations cyber security strategy ensuring a proactive and risk-based approach to threat management.
• Oversee cyber monitoring and response capabilities including MDR services and tools such as Microsoft Defender.
• Ensure appropriate endpoint network and identity protection measures are implemented and maintained.
• Lead workplace cyber security awareness and training programmes to promote a strong security culture.
• Manage vulnerability assessments penetration testing and remediation planning.
• Develop and maintain incident response and cyber crisis management plans.

Compliance GDPR & ISO Accreditation

• Ensure compliance with General Data Protection Regulation and other relevant data protection regulations.
• Act as IT lead for data protection working closely with legal or DPO functions where applicable.
• Maintain and oversee ISO certifications including ISO/IEC 27001.
• Develop implement and monitor IT and security policies to ensure regulatory and audit readiness.
• Coordinate internal and external audits ensuring timely remediation of findings.

IT Service Delivery & Workplace Technology

• Ensure IT services are fit for purpose scalable and aligned with organisational needs.
• Oversee help desk system administration networking hardware and software licensing functions.
• Ensure effective management of workplace infrastructure including end-user devices and collaboration platforms.
• Maintain hardware lifecycle management and software asset compliance.
• Ensure robust backup business continuity and disaster recovery capabilities are in place and tested regularly.

IT Governance & Operational Management

• Establish and maintain effective IT governance frameworks processes and controls.
• Develop and manage the IT budget ensuring cost efficiency and strategic allocation of resources.
• Lead vendor management activities including contract negotiation performance monitoring and service reviews.
• Evaluate and determine build vs buy decisions for systems and services.
• Develop and maintain IT policies standards and operating procedures.
• Report on IT performance risk and security posture to senior leadership and board-level stakeholders.

Leadership & Department Management

• Lead mentor and develop the IT team fostering a culture of accountability and continuous improvement.
• Define clear roles responsibilities and performance objectives within the IT function.
• Align IT strategy with wider organisational strategy and operational goals.
• Act as a trusted advisor to the Executive Team on technology risk investment and innovation.

Strategic Planning & Continuous Improvement

• Develop and execute a multi-year IT and digital roadmap aligned to organisational priorities.
• Identify opportunities for automation efficiency gains and technology-enabled transformation.
• Stay current with emerging technologies cyber threats and regulatory developments.
• Drive continuous improvement across data governance and security domains.

About you

At Believ we are building a culture that attracts and retains the best talent. We are a dedicated and high-performing team accustomed to working at pace in an ever-evolving industry and we are looking for people who are as passionate as us about cutting carbon emissions and providing cleaner air for all. The successful candidate will have the following attributes and skills:

Qualifications:

• Experience: 8 years experience with a technical background and proven experience leading teams.
• Soft Skills: Excellent communication and interpersonal skills with a customer-oriented mindset.
• Problem-Solving: Demonstrated ability to diagnose and resolve complex technical issues.
• Education: Bachelors degree in IT Computer Science or a related field (or equivalent experience).

Strategic Mindset

• Ability to understand and consider the broader business context and long-term implications of technical decisions.
• Willingness to take ownership innovate and proactively seek opportunities to drive impact beyond immediate tasks.
• Strong focus on delivering solutions that align with business goals and address real-world challenges effectively.
• Demonstrate enthusiasm resilience and a can-do approach to tackling challenges and driving success.

Benefits

• Competitive basic salary
• 25 days annual leave plus Bank Holidays
• Access to wellbeing and mental health benefits such as the Calm app personal medical insurance critical illness cover and dental insurance
• Pension contribution
• Access to our car benefit scheme
• Access to our online learning platform to continue to develop and grow your career with us.

Location

The business is currently based in our offices in Southwark. The position is full time and office based.

Believis an equal opportunity employer. We embrace diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for our people. We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process to perform essential job functions and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request accommodation.

If you dont meet every requirement but are excited by the role wed still love to hear from you.