Head of IT
Full Time, Monday to Friday
Based at Head Office, Wigan, with travel to UK depots when required.
Are you an experienced IT leader ready to shape and drive the technology strategy for a national organisation?
At Ainscough Crane Hire, we’re looking for a Head of IT to lead our IT operations, projects, and cyber security, ensuring our systems keep 800+ colleagues across 30 sites running smoothly. You’ll oversee a skilled internal team and key external suppliers, delivering innovative improvements that make a real impact on our business.
This is a high-profile senior management role – perfect for someone with both a strategic vision and hands-on leadership style.
Benefits for Head of IT
- Bi-Annual retention bonus
- Company Car / Car Allowance
- 24 days annual leave plus an additional day at 2 years service, 5 years service and 10 years service
- Health & Travel Insurance Cover
- Holiday purchase, the option to buy an additional 5 days each year (via salary sacrifice)
- Group life assurance 3 x basic salary
- Company Pension
- Access to the Ainscough Advantage (People Value) benefits platform
About Ainscough Crane Hire
At Ainscough, our "Always Making the Safe Choice" ethos drives everything we do. We excel in contract lifts, crane hire, and specialist projects, ensuring projects are delivered on time, within budget, and to the highest safety standards.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead IT operations – ensure smooth day-to-day running of systems, networks, and applications across all sites, with timely resolution of issues and proactive preventative maintenance.
- Maintain IT security & compliance – oversee cyber security measures, monitor potential threats, manage incidents, and ensure data protection standards are met.
- Deliver improvement projects – identify problem areas, work closely with business units to create solutions, and successfully implement projects on time and within budget.
- Manage vendor relationships – oversee approximately 20 supplier contracts, negotiating value and ensuring high service standards.
- Control IT budgets – manage operational and capital expenditure of up to £2m per year, ensuring efficient and strategic use of resources.
- Service management – ensure IT services meet SLAs, follow ITIL-based processes, and maintain accurate asset and software management records.
- Collaborate with leadership – act as the senior point of contact for IT matters, influencing technology strategy and supporting operational goals.
- Lead and develop the IT team – manage, mentor, and support a dedicated core team while coordinating with external partners.
Person Specification
- Degree-level education or equivalent professional qualification.
- Strong background in B2B service environments.
- Proven track record in ERP systems (preferably MSD365 FinOps & CE) and data management.
- Experience with ITIL or similar service frameworks.
- Skilled in BI/MI tools such as Power BI.
Skills/Abilities:
- Hands-on IT service delivery and operations management.
- Project management expertise, with the ability to deliver to fixed deadlines.
- Strong problem-solving and root cause analysis skills.
- Effective people leadership, motivating small teams to perform at their best.
- Commercial acumen to manage suppliers for maximum value.
This is an opportunity to join the UK’s leading crane hire company at a pivotal time in our digital journey. You’ll be part of a forward-thinking leadership team, influencing strategy while making a tangible impact on day-to-day operations.
If you’re ready to lead with vision, deliver results, and keep our business moving, we’d love to hear from you.
