IT Director (Telco Fixed Operator)

About us Nexfibre is a £4.5 billion joint venture between Infravia Capital Partners, Liberty Global and Telefónica. It has been formed to deliver ultra-fast full fibre broadband to up to 7 million homes across the UK! Together with our commercial partner Virgin Media O2, we will create the first national scale competitor to BT Openreach and will provide consumers and businesses with better innovation and choice. We operate a wholesale business model; our customers are broadband ISPs and B2B resellers and customers. Nexfibre is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to creating an inclusive and diverse environment for our people. We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation or adjustments to participate in the job application or interview process. We want a workforce that represents every part of our society and are eager to hear from candidates of all backgrounds. We are: Open: Collaborative & Curious Fast: Driven & Pragmatic Simple: Authentic & Adaptable ABOUT US nexfibre is a £4.5 billion joint venture between Infravia Capital Partners, Liberty Global and Telefónica. It has been formed to deliver ultra-fast full fibre broadband to up to 7 million homes across the UK. Together with our strategic partner Virgin Media O2, we will create the first national scale competitor to BT Openreach and will provide consumers and businesses across the UK with better innovation and choice. We operate a wholesale business model; our customers are broadband ISPs and B2B resellers and customers. We do not operate a retail broadband business JOB PURPOSE Accountable for the IT strategy and roadmap, defining the IT architecture and solutions required to support the business needs, the associated guidelines and managing the delivery of a technology stack which is fit for purpose to support the evolving business strategy. Oversee and control the IT operations developed by specialists and partners, ensuring that the technology is best supporting business activity. KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES End to end responsibility of IT architecture definition together with our partners. Define overall architecture and solutions to be implemented to enable nexfibre to deliver on its business target, taking into account the available solutions in the nexfibre ecosystem and ensuring an efficient and effective delivery of the IT functionality required. End to end responsibility of the programme delivery, from planning through to design, development, integration, testing, and handover; including upfront engagement in scoping new initiatives to support business strategy and delivery of enabling IT Stack (including when required the definition of the solutions to be deployed) and IT operations within the scope of the portfolio. Will be responsible for ensuring that nexfibre has the IT solutions required to achieve its business priorities, and that projects within their area adhere to project planning principles and are successfully delivered. Shaping and designing the IT strategy: accountable for supporting in the definition of the architecture, solutions to be used, guidelines and control of developing all aspects of the technology stack across architecture, deployment, workflow, delivery, operations, licensing, roadmaps, and in-life operations. Update and refine business cases for costs and benefits. Overseeing impact and feasibility assessments for new and future requirements that provide cost-effective technical solutions and are produced with the required quality and timelines. Overseeing the definition and development of standards and guidelines, documentation and deployment working practices for the IT Stack which enable effective and efficient design output and integrate with architectural, technical heritage, security, industry, legislative and health and safety requirements. Overseeing the IT Programme definition (whenever required) and implementation: oversee the definition of the architecture and solutions used to support the nexfibre business (whenever required), and the delivery of multiple projects for new / updated applications. Maintain a view of what’s important for the ongoing upkeep, and improvement of IT systems, including any new solutions, data and security requirements. Tracking the compliance with the objectives set and ensuring that quality agreements are addressed. Decision Making: Show leadership and be able to make decisions that are both tactical and strategic in nature. The strategy aspects of these decisions must consider multidimensional impacts beyond the near-term architecture required for business needs and the associated delivery dates. Programme Leadership: Provide leadership for these programmes through formal governance roles, e.g. on steering committees, and build and maintain trusted relationships with stakeholders as required. Provide programme expertise on key activities and deliverables e.g. architecture and solutions definition, business cases, cost estimates, programme plans, identification and mitigation of delivery risk. Overseeing technology partners compliance: will ensure IT delivery contracts with partners and vendors are in compliance with SLAs and delivered in line with strategic and financial aims. Successfully manage partners and suppliers that provide IT capabilities ensuring that the defined quality, timescales and costs are delivered and continually improved on. Managing IT budget accountability: will manage the annual IT capital and operating expense budgets and be responsible for the review, audit, and prioritisation of all IT systems and applications. Leading a mindset of innovation: lead to identify innovative ways to enhance the IT architecture, and offering from solution design to through deployment. Propose solutions that will help nexfibre improve the offer to its customers, expand its business and improve its control of the service provided. KNOWLEDGE & EXPERIENCE Deep IT expertise in relevant industry: have demonstrable experience and evidence of success in a senior information management role within the telecommunications and / or wholesale business areas, ideally in the fixed telecommunications space. Experienced in defining and analysing architectures and solutions in telecommunications IT based on business requirements. Comfortable with leading large programmes: will be familiar with the demands of large scale IT deployment programmes and be comfortable working at pace to conduct the wide range of activity required to deliver them Capability of assessing the business case of a proposed IT architecture or solution, taking into account the costs, risks, and business benefits enabled. Proven experience and skills in the management of vendors, developing risk based commercial frameworks, managing and monitoring vendors, and vendor relationship management Significant proven commercial skills and experience to be able to develop and challenge costs and benefits in business cases, including resource management, financial management, and budget management Able to take decisions, assess situations to determine the importance, urgency and risks and can make clear decisions which are timely and in the best interest of the organisation. Advanced interpersonal skills. Being able to relate well to others, to dictate responsibilities, to offer constructive feedback, to influence and persuade, and to support and encourage others. Finds ways to motivate the team and earn their respect in order for them to work effectively and focused on delivery outcomes – ensuring met deadlines with quality. Demonstrates the gravitas and courage needed to build relationships and convey authority in order to resolve conflicts and maintain direction. Demonstrate IT technical expertise and leadership, with the courage to propose the right solutions to the nexfibre business requirements. Excellent problem-solving skills and be able to think quickly and adept about how to address problems as they come up and to learn from the issues so that the same problem do not arise again, including the definition of IT technical solutions. DESIRABLE SKILLS & ABILITIES Industry leadership: constantly scanning the market to understand technology trends and how these may be incorporated to deliver value for our business. Understanding of the latest IT architectures, and specifically the standard telecoms IT architectures, vendor environment and trends in solutions being used. Experienced in dealing / communicating with the business on IT related matters in a clear and concise manner. PREFERRED EDUCATION / QUALIFICATIONS Experience of operating at a senior management level preferably in a technical role and with complex programme delivery skills.