JOB DESCRIPTION
Job Title: Head of Technology (Internal Only)
Responsible to: Chief Executive Officer
Purpose of Role: The Head of Technology role provides clear senior leadership and accountability for technology delivery at Preventx as the organisation stabilises its delivery function and continues to grow and diversify.
The role focuses on strengthening core technology foundations, improving delivery predictability, and reducing operational and regulatory risk. It brings together oversight of software engineering, quality assurance, user experience, and internal IT under a single senior leader.
This is an internal-facing, business-as-usual leadership role. Working in close collaboration with the Strategic Principal Architect, and alongside product, clinical, operations, and governance colleagues, the Head of Technology ensures that technology delivery and operational priorities are aligned to Preventx's agreed roadmap and strategic objectives, enabling safe, reliable, and scalable digital health services.
Key Responsibilities
* Provide senior leadership and accountability for day-to-day technology delivery and operations, ensuring platforms are stable, reliable, secure, and scalable.
* Own technology delivery predictability, overseeing engineering execution through the Engineering Manager and ensuring priorities are translated into achievable and well-managed delivery plans.
* Lead and mature engineering, QA, UX, and internal IT functions, creating clarity around roles, responsibilities, ways of working, and decision-making.
* Maintain clear ownership and visibility of technical risk, technical debt, and operational dependencies, ensuring appropriate mitigation, escalation, and assurance.
* Provide oversight of quality assurance, release governance, and change control, ensuring safe, controlled delivery in a regulated digital health environment.
* Ensure technology delivery consistently supports clinical safety, data protection, cyber security, and regulatory compliance, working closely with governance and clinical colleagues.
* Own internal IT services, cyber security posture, and business continuity planning, ensuring internal systems and access controls are secure and reliable.
* Collaborate with the Strategic Principal Architect to assess architectural recommendations, design standards, and technical trade-offs, and determine how they are prioritised and integrated into the agreed technology roadmap.
* Work in partnership with product, clinical, operational, and governance teams to align technology delivery with business priorities and service needs.
* Act as the primary escalation point for complex technical, delivery, or cross-team issues, supporting executive decision-making with clear communication of risks, options, and trade-offs.
What good looks like in practice:
* Technology delivery is predictable and well-controlled, with risks identified early and minimal late-stage surprises.
* Core platforms are stable, secure, and well-documented, supporting safe and reliable digital health services.
* Technical risk, technical debt, and operational dependencies are clearly visible, understood, and actively managed.
* Engineering, QA, UX, and IT teams operate with clear direction, effective coordination, and consistent ways of working.
* Technology is experienced across the organisation as dependable, enabling, and supportive of Preventx's roadmap and day-to-day operational needs.
Person Specification
The preferred candidate will have the following experience, abilities, and aptitudes:
Criteria Essential
Qualification
* Degree (or equivalent professional experience) in a relevant discipline such as Computer Science, Software Engineering, Information Technology, or a related technical field.
* Demonstrable senior-level experience leading technology delivery in a complex, multi-disciplinary environment (engineering, QA, UX, IT).
* * Desirable:
* * Postgraduate qualification or executive education in Technology Leadership, Digital Transformation, or Engineering Management.
* Formal training or certification in Agile delivery, DevOps, or large-scale delivery frameworks (e.g. SAFe, ITIL, PRINCE2, MSP).
* Training or certification related to information security, data protection, or risk management (e.g. ISO 27001 awareness, cyber security leadership training).
* Evidence of continued professional development in technology leadership, governance, or operating in regulated environments (e.g. healthcare, public sector, financial services)
*
Knowledge and Experience
* Deep understanding of technology delivery practices, software engineering lifecycles, and IT operations.
* Knowledge of regulatory, security and compliance requirements for digital services (especially in health/regulated sectors).
* Strong grasp of technology risk management and technical debt prioritisation. Commercial and organisational awareness with the ability to align technology delivery to business priorities.
* Awareness of contemporary engineering practices (DevOps, test automation, CI/CD).
* Significant experience in technology delivery leadership roles, including responsibility for engineering, QA, and internal IT delivery.
* Track record in driving predictable, risk-aware delivery in complex or regulated environments.
* Experience working with senior stakeholders across product, clinical, operations and governance functions.
* Proven ability to manage and resolve cross-team trade-offs and delivery escalations.
* Experience in building quality assurance and governance frameworks across engineering functions.
*
Skills
* Strong leadership and team collaboration skills, with the ability to influence at all organisational levels.
* Excellent communication and relationship management with technical and non-technical stakeholders.
* Sound commercial judgement and ability to balance operational, technical and business considerations.
* Strong problem-solving and decision-making under uncertainty
This job description is not exhaustive and serves only to highlight the main requirements of the post holder. The line manager may stipulate other reasonable requirements. The job description will be reviewed regularly and may be subject to change.
Equity, Diversity & Inclusion at Preventx
At Preventx, we believe diversity drives innovation and inclusion strengthens our impact. We're committed to creating a workplace that values individual differences and fosters a culture of respect, belonging, and growth.
We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds, identities, and experiences—including those from underrepresented communities. If you need any support with your application or adjustments during the recruitment process, we're here to help.
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Location
Sheffield, South Yorkshire (Hybrid)
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Department
Technology
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Employment Type
Full-Time
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Compensation
Competitive
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