Head of Technology

We’re looking for a Head of Technology here at N Brown Group to join our Digital Operations Domain.

In this role you’ll be responsible for leading the end to end Technology within a Tribe as well as contributing to the overall success of the technology department, orchestrating the development and deployment of software solutions and infrastructure that bolster the organisation's strategic goals.

This pivotal role encompasses managing the technology team, aligning the technology strategy with business objectives, spurring innovation, and maintaining a secure and efficient IT infrastructure. A significant part of this role also includes nurturing a DevSecOps culture, empowering autonomous squads, and leading a technology chapter within a specific tech discipline to foster expertise and innovation.

Who are we looking for?

• A visionary leader capable of translating complex technology concepts into strategic business advantages.
• Collaborative and inclusive, fostering a culture of knowledge sharing and empowerment.
• Adaptable and resilient, thriving in a rapidly changing technology landscape.
• Committed to ethical practices, with a strong focus on data security and privacy.

What are your key areas of focus as Head of Technology at N Brown?

• Strategic Leadership: Develop and implement a visionary technology strategy that aligns with the organisation's goals, including leading a technology chapter to deepen expertise in a specific tech discipline.
• Team Management and Chapter Leadership: Guide, mentor, and grow the technology team, including architects, engineers, QA professionals, and IT support staff. Champion the formation and leadership of a technology chapter within a specific discipline, promoting knowledge sharing, continuous learning, and specialised skill development.
• Technology Development and DevSecOps Integration: Direct the design, development, deployment and running of end to end technology solutions (software applications, systems and infrastructure), incorporating security practices throughout the development life cycle and advocating for CI/CD methodologies.
• Service Management: Own and run technology services maintaining service level agreements, non-functional requirements, and incident/problem management practices.
• Infrastructure Management: Ensure the IT infrastructure's reliability, scalability, and security, with a focus on leveraging cloud services, especially AWS, within an IaC framework.
• Quality Assurance: Uphold exceptional standards of software quality and reliability, integrating best practices in QA methodologies and championing a test-driven development (TDD) culture.
• Innovation and Continuous Improvement: Keep abreast of new technology trends and innovations, evaluating and integrating them into the organisation's tech stack where beneficial. Lead the technology chapter in exploring innovative solutions and fostering a culture of continuous improvement.
• Stakeholder Engagement: Work collaboratively with other department heads and external partners to meet technology needs, ensuring alignment and effective communication.
• Budget Management: Manage the technology budget, ensuring resources are allocated efficiently and investments are made strategically.
• Risk Management: Proactively identify and mitigate technology-related risks, particularly focusing on data security and compliance within a DevSecOps framework.

What’s in it for you?

• Hybrid working
• 24 days holiday (+ 8 bank holidays) with the option to buy an additional 10 days
• Annual bonus scheme
• Enhanced maternity and adoption leave
• Access to Apricity, a self-funding IVF benefit at a reduced rate
• Company pension with up to 8% N Brown contribution
• Mental Health support both internally and externally, including access to our wellbeing champions and counselling services
• A range of financial wellbeing support
• Colleague discount across all N Brown brands
• Onsite café with subsidised rates and local restaurant discounts!
• Life Assurance and Private Medical Insurance
• Paid volunteer time – all our colleagues can take a full day paid to volunteer for a charity of their choice

N Brown – who we are and why work for us?

At N Brown, we’re committed to building a diverse workforce and creating an inclusive environment that values equality for all. Our vision is that by ‘championing inclusion, we’ll become the most loved and trusted fashion retailer’. Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging are, therefore, at the heart of our culture.

We’re a forward-thinking digital retailer with a financial services proposition to be proud of. We’re customer-obsessed, serving them through three core brands: JD Williams, Simply Be, and Jacamo. We’re experienced, with over 160 years of trading under our belt. We’re inclusive, as we believe in fashion without boundaries; and we’re sustainable, striving to make as little impact on the planet as possible.

In May 2024 we were delighted to be named one of The Sunday Times Best Places to Work 2024. We work hard to create a happy and inclusive culture for everyone and we’re so proud to have made this list - as voted for by our very own colleagues!

Ways of Working

We offer hybrid working which varies across the business depending on the role you’re in. Our Head Office is located in the Northern Quarter in Manchester City Centre. So if you are travelling by train, tram or bus we’re perfectly located, plus we’re surrounded by cool cafes, trendy bars and the best places to eat!

Our full-time working hours are 36.17 per week over 5 days. We don’t have strict working hours therefore there is some flexibility around start and finish times as long as you are meeting the needs of the business.

Our promise to you:

We’re an equal opportunity employer and value diversity. We do not discriminate based on race, religion, colour, national origin, sex, gender, gender expression, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status.

What happens when you apply to a role at N Brown?

As soon as we receive your application, we’ll send you an email to let you know. We always aim to come back to you as soon as possible with an update and we really appreciate you taking the time to apply for a role with us. Good luck!