Chief Technology Officer

The Chief Technology Officer (CTO) will provide strategic and operational leadership for the organisation's Technology function, driving innovation, digital transformation and technology enabled business performance. As a member of the Senior Leadership Team (SLT), the CTO will be responsible for defining and delivering the organisation's technology strategy, ensuring technology investments align with business objectives and support long term growth.

The role will lead the development and implementation of digital transformation initiatives, including the adoption of emerging technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), the modernisation of systems and processes, and the reduction of reliance on legacy systems and tools. The CTO will champion digital innovation, enhancing operational efficiency, improving customer and member experiences, and enabling effective decision making through technology and data.

The CTO will provide strategic and operational leadership across multiple functions, including:

• Development
• Testing
• Project Management
• Cyber and Information Security
• Business Information and Data
• Infrastructure and Networks
• IT Service Delivery and Support

Why Join Logistics UK?

Logistics UK, formerly the Freight Transport Association is one of the biggest business groups in the UK, representing the entire industry with members from the road, rail, sea, and air industries, as well as the buyers of freight services such as retailers and manufacturers whose businesses depend on the efficient movement of goods.

An effective supply chain is vital to Keep Britain Trading, directly impacting over 7 million people employed in making, selling and moving the goods that affect everyone everywhere. With Brexit, technology and other disruptive forces driving changes in the way goods move across borders and through the supply chain, logistics has never been more important to UK PLC.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership & Digital Transformation

• Develop and deliver the organisation's Digital and Technology Strategy, ensuring alignment with business objectives.
• Lead digital transformation programmes, including AI adoption and system modernisation.
• Drive the modernisation of business systems and processes, leading the replacement of legacy systems and tools with innovative, future focused solutions that enhance organisational capability and efficiency.
• Drive innovation to improve operational efficiency, customer and member experience, and employee productivity.
• Advise senior leaders on technology opportunities, risks and emerging trends.

Technology Operations & Service Delivery

• Provide leadership across Software Development, Testing, Project Management, Cyber and Information Security, Data & Business Information, Infrastructure & Networks, and IT Support.
• Ensure technology systems are secure, reliable, scalable and fit for purpose.
• Oversee the delivery of technology projects, ensuring they are completed on time, within budget and deliver business value.
• Manage technology suppliers, contracts and service level agreements.

Cyber and Information Security, Data & Governance

• Ensure the security, integrity and resilience of all systems, applications and data.
• Develop and maintain IT policies, standards and governance frameworks.
• Ensure compliance with legal, regulatory and cyber security requirements.
• Lead data governance and business intelligence initiatives to support effective decision-making.
• Ability to identify technological threats and the need to evolve and improve systems to prevent risks.

Resource Management

• Develop and manage the departmental budget, ensuring value for money and effective resource allocation.
• Prepare annual departmental plans, objectives and performance reports.
• Monitor departmental performance against agreed plans, budgets and key deliverables.
• Ensure efficient management of departmental resources and technology investments.

Stakeholder & Business Partnership

• Build strong relationships with internal stakeholders to understand business needs and translate them into technology solutions.
• Collaborate with senior leaders and departments to identify opportunities for process improvement and digital innovation.
• Lead engagement with external technology partners and suppliers to maximise service quality and performance.
• Communicate a technology strategy, progress and outcomes to senior leadership and key stakeholders.

Leadership & People Management

• Lead and develop a high performing department.
• Manage performance, coaching, succession planning and professional development across the function.
• Foster a culture of innovation, collaboration and continuous improvement.
• Ensure the team has the capability and skills required to support the organisation's current and future technology needs.

Qualifications & Experience

• Significant senior leadership experience within IT, Digital or Technology functions.
• Proven success delivering technology strategies, digital transformation initiatives and organisational change.
• Experience leading multi-disciplinary teams across Development, Testing, Infrastructure, Cyber and Information Security, Data, Project Management and IT Support.
• Candidates should possess relevant qualifications and certifications, such as a degree, ITIL, TOGAF, CISSP/CISM, PRINCE2, Agile certifications, or be able to demonstrate equivalent practical experience.
• Strong track record of managing technology budgets, suppliers and strategic technology investments.

Technical Knowledge

• Strong understanding of networking, infrastructure, server management and cyber and information security.
• Knowledge of software development lifecycles, business analysis, process mapping and optimisation.
• Experience with Agile, DevOps and modern software delivery practices.
• Knowledge of cloud technologies including Microsoft Development technologies.
• Understanding of IT service management, data governance, analytics and business intelligence.
• Strong knowledge of IT governance, enterprise architecture, risk management and regulatory compliance.
• Up-to-date understanding of emerging technologies, including AI, automation and digital innovation.

Technical Skills

• Ability to translate business requirements into effective technology solutions.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with experience managing complex technology programmes.
• Experience of software development principles, database management and systems architecture.
• Ability to oversee secure, scalable and resilient technology solutions.
• Strong understanding of cyber security, business continuity and disaster recovery planning.

Leadership & Stakeholder Management

• Proven ability to lead, inspire and develop high-performing teams.
• Strong coaching, mentoring and performance management skills.
• Experience influencing and collaborating with Executive Teams, Boards and key stakeholders.
• Excellent relationship building skills with the ability to manage internal and external partnerships effectively.
• Ability to communicate complex technical concepts clearly to non-technical audiences.

Personal Attributes

• Strategic thinker with strong commercial awareness and business acumen.
• Innovative and forward thinking, with a passion for leveraging technology to drive organisational success.
• Results focused, proactive and able to lead through change and ambiguity.
• Excellent communication, presentation and interpersonal skills.
• Self-motivated, resilient and committed to continuous improvement.

We value our employees and offer a wide range of benefits recognising that no two employees are the same – everyone has different preferences and needs that change over time.

• Competitive salary (details will be shared upon application).
• 25 days of annual leave plus bank holidays
• Christmas Working Arrangement for extra days off during the festive period
• Health Cash Plan for all employees and Private Medical Insurance for managers
• Employee Assistance Programme and Mental Health First Aiders
• Enhanced Family Leave policy
• Flexible and remote working arrangements
• Two paid days off per year for charity or volunteering work
• Various learning and development opportunities
• Range of pension schemes
• Award scheme to recognise outstanding employees
• Life Assurance Scheme for peace of mind