Contract Interim Head of IT

Contract Interim Head of IT

Location: Poole, Hampshire (5 days per week onsite)IR35 Status: Inside IR35Contract Length: 3-6 months Start Date: ASAP

Our client is seeking a hands-on Interim Head of IT to step into a critical leadership role and bring immediate stability, control, and technical leadership to an IT function during a key period of transition. This is not a strategy-only role. The client requires someone prepared to roll up their sleeves, get stuck into the detail, and provide calm, practical leadership across day-to-day IT operations while supporting a major ERP transformation programme (headed up via another department but heavy crossover). Alongside stabilising the function, you'll provide oversight of the current technology landscape by reviewing existing systems, identifying areas for improvement, and ensuring the IT estate is fit for purpose, secure, and scalable.

The ideal contractor will have industry experience from a distribution, logistics, supply chain, or similar operational business, with strong experience supporting the systems and technology that underpin complex operational environments.

Key Responsibilities

• Take immediate operational control of the IT function and ensure business continuity
• Provide hands-on leadership across infrastructure, cloud, security, and business systems
• Review the current technology estate and identify practical opportunities for improvement
• Act as the senior escalation point for incidents, supplier issues, and delivery risks
• Manage and support a small IT team, providing clear leadership, direction, and stability
• Bring structure, accountability, and confidence to an unsettled function
• Support an ongoing ERP transformation while protecting BAU operations
• Identify capability gaps and recommend interim resourcing solutions where needed
• Maintain strong governance across IT risk, security, backup, and change management

Key Skills

• Proven experience as a hands-on Head of IT / IT Director in complex or under-resourced environments. Must have a technical background
• Comfortable operating strategically while also getting into the weeds when needed
• Strong experience within distribution, supply chain, manufacturing, or similar operational sectors
• Experience overseeing ERP platforms and supply chain-related systems is beneficial
• Strong technical background across cloud infrastructure, cybersecurity, and IT operations
• Previous experience managing and mentoring small IT teams that are looking to scale
• Proven ability to quickly restore stability and confidence in challenging environments
• Calm, pragmatic, and delivery-focused.

This role is ideal for an experienced hands-on interim Head of IT leader with strong who can quickly bring structure, stability, and hands-on technical leadership, whilst improving systems and supporting the wider team from day one.

The role requires you to be onsite 5 days per week in Poole which is non-negotiable. Please apply to the role for immediate consideration.

Spectrum IT Recruitment (South) Limited is acting as an Employment Business in relation to this vacancy.