Canal & River Trust
IT Director
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About the Trust
We're one of the UK’s biggest charities and we care for 2,000 miles of canals, rivers, docks and reservoirs because we believe life is better by water. We're looking for people who support our cause and want to make a difference for future generations. Could this be you?
Along with our waterways we also manage museums, archives and the country's third largest collection of historic buildings, as well as the nature and wildlife that calls our canals home. All of this enables us to provide wellbeing opportunities for millions of people each year.
Join Our Team: IT Director opportunity
Navigate your future and lock in your career as we keep our canals open and alive.
The Canal & River Trust relies on technology to support over 2,000 miles of historic waterways, thousands of colleagues and volunteers, and millions of visitors each year. From cyber security and digital services to data and enterprise systems, technology plays a vital role in how we operate, serve customers and deliver our charitable purpose.
As IT Director, you'll lead and shape our technology function, ensuring technology, digital and data capabilities support organisational priorities, drive innovation and deliver measurable value across the Trust. Leading IT Operations, Cyber Security, Applications & Solutions, Data & Analytics, Business Relationship Management and Enterprise Architecture, the role is responsible for developing and delivering the Trust's technology strategy and roadmap. Working closely with senior leaders across the organisation, the IT Director ensures technology investment delivers measurable value, supports organisational performance and enhances the experience of colleagues, volunteers and customers.
For a deeper insight into the role, our strategic priorities and what success looks like in this position, please review the candidate briefing pack here.
Working Hours & Location
This role follows 37 hours, Monday to Friday working pattern. This role is based working from home, with a requirement to attend our main hub spaces from time to time for team working and collaborative meetings. It is important that you can reasonably commute to one of our main hubs below. The regularity & flexibility of travel will be discussed further at interview stage.
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Relevant Hubs: Leeds, Newark, Ellesmere Port, Burnley, Birmingham, Gloucester.
Role Overview
This is a pivotal leadership role, responsible for maximising the value of technology investment, strengthening cyber resilience, enabling data-driven decision making and delivering technology-enabled transformation that supports the long-term sustainability and success of the Trust.
Key Responsibilities
- Develop and deliver the Trust's technology strategy and roadmap.
- Lead a high-performing technology function spanning Operations, Cyber Security, Applications, Data & Analytics and Enterprise Architecture.
- Ensure technology services are secure, reliable and resilient.
- Drive digital innovation, automation and technology-enabled transformation.
- Develop data and analytics capabilities that support effective decision making.
- Manage technology investment, budgets and strategic supplier relationships.
- Build strong relationships with stakeholders, ensuring technology delivers measurable organisational value.
- Provide strategic technology leadership to support the Trust's long-term objectives.
About You
You will be an experienced technology leader with a track record of developing technology strategies, leading diverse teams and delivering technology-enabled change. Comfortable engaging with senior stakeholders, you'll combine commercial awareness, strong leadership and sound judgement with a passion for using technology, data and digital innovation to improve organisational performance and deliver lasting value.
Skills & Qualifications
- Degree qualified, or able to demonstrate equivalent experience, in Information Technology, Computer Science, Information Systems, Business Technology or a related discipline.
- Significant senior leadership experience within a technology, digital or IT environment.
- Proven success developing technology strategies and delivering transformational change.
- Experience leading multidisciplinary teams across technology operations, cyber security, applications and data.
- Strong understanding of technology governance, enterprise architecture, cyber security, cloud technologies and modern IT service management.
- Experience managing significant budgets, suppliers and technology investments.
- Excellent stakeholder management, influencing and communication skills.
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Contact & Application
If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to us at CRT.recruitment@canalrivertrust.org.uk. We encourage early applications as we may close the vacancy once we receive enough suitable candidates.
What We Offer
In addition to your annual base salary of £100,000, you will also receive a car cash allowance (£520 per month), competitive pension scheme, increasing holiday entitlement, and a range of employee benefits. For a full breakdown of our benefits, check out our brochure here.
Our values
We care passionately for our waterways, and as importantly, for those who look after and use them. We are committed to building a diverse and inclusive workforce where everyone can thrive. We are striving to represent the diverse communities that we are a part of and welcome applicants from across all sectors of the community.
We want everyone to have the opportunity to perform at their best during our recruitment process. If you require any reasonable adjustments - whether for a disability, neurodiversity, or health condition - please let us know what you need and how we can support you. We’ll work with you to make any necessary changes.
All of our jobs can be considered on a part time, flexible or job share basis.
We operate a Guaranteed Interview Scheme for disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria for the role. You are considered disabled under the Equality Act 2010 if you have a physical or mental impairment that has a substantial and long-term negative effect on your ability to carry out normal day-to-day activities. We recognise not everyone who is classified as disabled under the Equality Act personally identifies this way, or with this definition of disability. Please do not let this discourage you from applying under the scheme.
At Canal & River Trust, we are committed to fair, transparent, and ethical recruitment practices. As part of our hiring process, we may use AI to analyse applications and support us work more efficiently. However, all hiring decisions – without exception - are made by our hiring managers.
Navigate your future and lock in your career as we keep our canals open and alive.
Find out more about us on our website: https://canalrivertrust.org.uk/about-us
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