Location: Watford, Hertfordshire
Department: IT
Hours: 9:00am–5:30pm, Monday to Friday
Reports to: Engineering Director
Salary: Up to £75,000.00 + £6000.00 Car Allowance
Benefits: Start with 25 days annual leave + Bank Holiday, Death in Service, Private Health Care, with a Length of Service Benefits Scheme.
Lead Our Digital Future
Skillnet is one of the UK’s largest Automotive and Engineering Apprenticeship training providers with an enviable portfolio of Global brands as customers.
Being an Ofsted and DfE regulated organisation, technology, MI and Data management are core to our operational success.
Following a minor internal restructure, We are looking for an experienced and visionary Director of IT to lead the strategic direction, development and delivery of all technology, data and digital services across our multi-site organisation. This is a senior leadership role with significant influence, responsible for shaping our IT strategy, strengthening our cyber‑security posture, enhancing operational performance and driving transformation across the business.
If you are a forward‑thinking technology leader who thrives in a fast‑paced, evolving environment — we want to hear from you.
About the Role
As our Director of IT, you will provide strategic leadership across:
* IT Operations & Service Delivery
* Infrastructure & Cloud Technologies
* Cyber Security
* Data, Reporting & MIS
* Systems, Architecture & Digital Change
You will ensure our systems are secure, resilient and cost‑effective, while enabling innovation and high‑quality digital services for learners, customers and colleagues.
This role is central to delivering high standards of performance, compliance and continuous improvement across the organisation.
Key Responsibilities
Strategic Leadership
* Service Delivery & Operations
* Data, Reporting & Insights
* Security, Risk & Compliance
* Projects & Change Management
* Financial & Vendor Management
What You’ll Bring
Experience & Technical Expertise
Qualifications
Degree-level education or equivalent experience.
* Relevant professional certifications (e.g., ITIL, CISSP/CC, CISM, Prince2/Agile, Microsoft/Azure).
Personal Qualities
* Strategic, pragmatic and delivery‑focused.
* Resilient, adaptable and solutions‑oriented.
* Strong communicator — able to explain technical concepts clearly.
* Collaborative leader with a commitment to continuous improvement.
* Passionate about safeguarding, equality and diversity
Why Join Us?
* Play a central role in shaping our digital future.
* Lead a talented team across core operational and strategic technology areas.
* Work closely with senior leaders to influence organisation‑wide decision‑making.
* Drive meaningful change that improves the experience of learners, customers and staff.
Safeguarding Commitment
We are fully committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all learners.
This role is classed as regulated activity and requires:
* A full enhanced DBS check (including barred list).
* Ongoing responsibility to uphold safeguarding and Prevent standards.
How to Apply
If you’re a strategic technology leader ready to take ownership of organisation‑wide digital transformation, we’d love to hear from you.
Apply now and help shape the future of our digital landscape.
Skillnet is an equal opportunities employer.
This describes (but does not limit) the main duties and responsibilities of the job. These are subject to variation by Skillnet as is necessary to respond to changes to the business, both internal and external.
Our Safeguarding Commitment
Skillnet places the highest importance on Safeguarding and Prevent, and the safety and wellbeing of our learners is paramount. This policy sets out our commitment to safeguard and promote the wellbeing of our learners by listening, supporting and respecting learners, and prevent young people and vulnerable adults becoming the victims of abuse, neglect, or radicalisation.
It does this in several ways:
Identify a director and a member of the Senior Management Team for the overall responsibility for Safeguarding our learners.
* To maintain a Safeguarding and Prevent Risk Assessment and Action Plan that identifies risks and highlight actions taken to protect learners.
* By education and training to develop all learners’ resilience to abuse and radicalisation, to know how to stay safe on and offline and to develop the skills needed to keep themselves safe.
* By establishing an induction training programme that includes detailed Safeguarding and Prevent modules for both learners and staff.
* To adhere to IT security policies and practices and review regularly to encourage safe working practices for all.
* To keep colleagues well-informed with updates about Safeguarding and Prevent delivered through frequent 121’s, team meetings and hot topics.
* Confidentiality – we will only share private and sensitive information about a learner when it is in the best interests to do so, e.g. if there is a Safeguarding concern.
Regulated Activity
This role is subject to regulated activities as defined by our safeguarding policy