Head of IT – Global Travel Startup

This is a remote position.

Our new client is a rapidly growing, private equity-backed startup in the travel experiences industry, pursuing an ambitious global buy-and-build strategy.

Its portfolio consists of entrepreneurial, founder-led businesses operating across multiple countries. As the group expands, technology must evolve from locally managed environments into a secure, reliable and scalable group capability.

We are looking for aHead of IT to build and lead this capability, bringing practical structure and consistent standards to a growing international organisation.

The Role

Reporting directly to the CEO, you will own the strategy, operating model and day-to-day effectiveness of IT across the group.

This is astrategic and hands-on leadership role. You will define the Group IT Target Operating Model, covering infrastructure, end-user computing, service desk, cybersecurity, identity and access management, data protection, vendor management and IT governance.

You will build a pragmatic, scalable service model through a combination ofManaged Service Providers (MSPs), specialist partners and internal resources, while ensuring that everyday technology issues are resolved effectively.

You will also play a central role in acquisitions, assessing target companies’ technology environments and leading their integration into the group.

Key Responsibilities

IT Strategy & Target Operating Model

• Define and implement the Group IT strategy and Target Operating Model.
• Determine which capabilities should be managed internally, outsourced to MSPs or delivered through specialist partners.
• Establish clear responsibilities and decision rights at group and local levels.
• Develop an IT organisation and service model that supports continued international acquisitions.
• Introduce appropriate standards, policies, governance and KPIs.
• Build a roadmap for moving portfolio businesses from fragmented local environments towards the agreed target state.

Infrastructure & End-User Technology

• Own the strategy and standards for devices, networks, connectivity, cloud infrastructure and workplace technology.
• Establish group standards for hardware, software, device management and lifecycle management.
• Improve technology resilience, performance and support across the portfolio.
• Lead infrastructure consolidation and migration initiatives where appropriate.
• Ensure acquired businesses can be onboarded efficiently into the group’s technology environment.

IT Service Management

• Design and implement a scalable Group IT service-management model.
• Establish service desk, incident, request, problem and change-management processes.
• Define service-level agreements and performance KPIs.
• Ensure employees across multiple countries receive responsive, high-quality technology support.
• Personally engage with operational issues when required.

Cybersecurity

• Establish and maintain an appropriate cybersecurity framework.
• Define minimum security standards for all portfolio companies.
• Own identity and access management, endpoint security, vulnerability management, backup and recovery, security monitoring and incident-response capabilities.
• Assess cybersecurity maturity across acquired businesses and prioritise remediation.
• Coordinate MSPs and specialist cybersecurity providers.
• Give the CEO and leadership team clear visibility of material cyber risks.

Data Protection & Privacy

• Establish a group operating model for data protection and privacy, defining the relationship between IT, Legal and external advisers.
• Ensure technical and operational controls support GDPR and other applicable privacy requirements.
• Define responsibilities for Data Protection Officer activities and ensure access to appropriate expertise.
• Support data mapping, retention, access controls, incident management and privacy-related technology requirements.

M&A Technology Due Diligence & Integration

• Partner with the M&A and Integration teams to assess technology risks, capabilities, technical debt and integration requirements.
• Identify cybersecurity, infrastructure, application, data, vendor and compliance risks before acquisition.
• Estimate integration requirements and one-off costs.
• Develop technology Day 1 and post-close integration plans.
• Lead technology integration while minimising disruption to acquired businesses.
• Establish a repeatable IT M&A integration playbook.

MSP & Vendor Management

• Design an MSP strategy for a geographically distributed organisation.
• Select, manage and hold central and regional MSPs accountable for service delivery.
• Rationalise overlapping vendors and services inherited through acquisitions.
• Establish clear contracts, service-level agreements, escalation processes and performance management.
• Optimise technology spend while maintaining service quality and resilience.
• Build productive relationships with software, infrastructure and security partners.

IT Transformation & Delivery

• Build and maintain a prioritised Group IT transformation roadmap.
• Personally lead or project-manage critical technology initiatives.
• Coordinate migrations, infrastructure changes, security remediation and systems implementation.
• Work with business leaders to ensure technology change supports operational priorities.
• Establish transparent reporting on IT projects, risks, costs and performance.

Leadership & Capability Building

• Act as the group’s senior IT leader and trusted adviser to the CEO and leadership team.
• Build internal IT capability progressively as the business scales.
• Develop clear roles across internal teams, portfolio companies, MSPs and other vendors.
• Manage the Group IT budget and support technology investment decisions.
• Build a culture of service, security, accountability and continuous improvement.

Requirements

• Significant experience leading IT within an international, multi-entity or distributed organisation.
• Demonstrated experience designing and implementing an IT Target Operating Model.
• Strong practical experience across infrastructure, end-user computing, IT service management and cybersecurity.
• Extensive experience designing and operating IT capabilities through Managed Service Providers.
• Experience leading complex IT transformation programmes.
• Strong understanding of cybersecurity risks and controls.
• Working knowledge of GDPR, privacy and data-protection operating requirements.
• Strong vendor, contract and commercial-management skills.
• Ability to operate at both strategic and operational levels.
• Willingness to personally solve problems and drive projects within a lean internal structure.
• Strong stakeholder-management skills, including working directly with CEOs, founders and senior leadership.
• Based in the UK and willing to travel internationally.
• Spanish language skill is a must

Highly Desirable

• Experience within a private equity-backed buy-and-build or roll-up environment.
• Direct experience of IT M&A due diligence and post-merger technology integration.
• Experience integrating small and medium-sized founder-led businesses.
• Experience building a Group IT function or shared-service capability from a decentralised or early-stage starting point.
• Experience in travel, hospitality, leisure, consumer services or another geographically distributed industry.
• Italian language skills.
• Experience working across Europe, the UK, North America and/or Latin America.

Benefits

• A key role in a rapidly growing, private equity-backed travel experiences startup.
• International exposure across a growing portfolio of acquired businesses.
• Close collaboration with senior leadership, founders and functional teams.
• Ownership across the full integration lifecycle, from pre-acquisition planning to measurable results.
• The opportunity to shape the group’s integration approach, playbooks and operating models.
• Location: United Kingdom
• Long-term assignment
• Permanent/B2B Contract
• Ful-time role

Originally posted on Himalayas

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