Technical Director

Our newest Technical Director will provide strategic leadership and be responsible for the groups Software Engineering and Infrastructure technology functions. Reporting into the Group CTO they will be the voice of data within the business, be responsible for leveraging data to drive growth and build a best-in-class delivery focused team.

• Strategic leadership.


• Develop and communicate the technical vision, strategy and roadmap aligning with the business objectives.


• Work with Product department to ensure technology roadmap aligns with Product strategy.


• Lead the technical teams in executing projects, setting priorities and meeting deadlines.


• Infrastructure Leadership


• Manage the groups IT infrastructure including both cloud based and internal based network and servers across our numerous sites across the UK and New Zealand.


• Responsible for all onsite hospitality systems including TV distributions & EPOS systems.


• Drive synergies across the group by standardising technology where possible across our divisions.


• Implementation of required infrastructure changes and processes required as part of Cyber Security strategy.


• Vendor Management


• Manage relationships with third-party vendors, contractors and service providers and align to business strategic goals.


• Manage Cloud/SAAS providers ensuring we are getting best-in-class solutions that match the business needs with the best commercial and support agreements.


• Manage groups IT OPEX budgeting and forecasting.


• Software Engineering


• Oversee the full software delivery lifecycle from design to deployment of software solutions for various aspects of the business including customer facing platforms, mobile applications, internal tools and backend platforms.


• Delivery performance of 15+ agile scrum software engineering teams.


• Ensure software development practices adhere to best practice including code quality, security, scalability and performance.


• Identify staffing needs, recruit and develop talent and build high-performing teams.


• Culture & Innovation


• Foster a culture of creativity, collaboration and continuous improvement. Stay ahead of emerging technologies such as Artificial Intelligence and champion adoption use where appropriate.


• Organise regular cross functional hackathons and personal development opportunities to encourage cross-functional collaboration and innovation.


• Mentor other senior leaders in the department and ensure a robust pipeline of talent is cultivated.
  
  Experience of operating in a technology senior leadership/Director level role, leading Software Engineering, infrastructure or similar functions. Experience of building and leading teams of 150+.


• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to effectively communicate complex technical concepts to non-technical audiences. The Technical Director should be able to articulate the value of data and analytics initiatives and build strong relationships with stakeholders across the organisation.


• Experience of presenting to executive teams, senior stakeholders and public speaking.


• Demonstrated success in building and leading high-performing software development teams at scale.


• Experience in fast paced, fast scaling businesses.


• Strong strategic thinking and problem-solving abilities, with the ability to develop and execute a comprehensive data strategy that aligns with the groups goals and objectives. Experience in driving innovation and identifying new opportunities for leveraging data to create value is essential.


Desirable Skills:

• Industry Knowledge: Familiarity with the travel & hospitality industry and its technology landscape. Understanding of emerging trends and technologies relevant to this industry.


• Knowledge of AWS.


Personal Qualities:

• Strong leadership qualities


• A strong passion for digital


• Ability to innovate and problem-solve.


• Listening, Questioning & Delivering.


• Results focused, understanding what is important to the business.


If you're ready to take on this exciting leadership role and make an impact in the travel and leisure industry, please apply now.

The Company
The Forge Holiday Group is a leading player in the travel and leisure industry, encompassing Sykes Holiday Cottages, Forest Holidays, UKcaravans4hire and Bachcare in New Zealand and unites us under four company values, which are the foundations of every aspect of our business and remain at the heart of everything we do. By Being One Team, Owning it, Communicating Honestly and showcasing a devotion to Learning, Growing and Innovating, we remain true to our original ethos and ensure we stay true to our Customers, Owners and Colleagues alike., We are one of the fastest-growing Tech businesses in the North West, connecting our customers to create perfect holiday moments whilst striving to nurture a rich culture of innovation across our team.
Our group Technology function spans our Agency (Sykes Cottages family), Operator (Forest Holidays) and International (Bachcare) divisions. Whilst the majority of our team is based out of our Chester HQ we have others based around the UK and in New Zealand. We have over 150 experts in fields such as Infrastructure, Data & Analytics, Cyber Security, Software Engineering and DevOps.
With over 150 tech superstars across our department, we consider our Tech Team to be the best and brightest, who eat, sleep and breathe tech and are truly inspired by the work they do. We are passionate about discovering new ways of doing things, driving towards constantly improving and are constantly challenging ourselves to stay one step ahead., Join us in shaping the future of Forge Holiday Group through technological innovation and operational excellence! We look forward to welcoming you to our team.

In return for your hard-work, we can ensure you join a vibrant, inclusive work culture, make the most of fantastic career progression opportunities and make the most of our fantastic company benefits!

Paying a salary of £100K + per annum working
Plus access to our annual STIP (annual company-wide bonus) scheme with an additional up to 30% of your salary
️ 25 days annual leave plus 8 bank holidays
Plus an additional day off for your Birthday
Plus an additional two volunteering days per year
A flexible hybrid-working policy, with a min two days a week from our Chester head office
An enhanced maternity and paternity policy
Inclusive and supportive work environment
Employee discounts and benefits with your wellbeing at the centre
Opportunities for career progression, personal development and opportunities to be recognised
Comprehensive training and development programs to set you up for success
Study support for additional qualifications, courses and accreditations
Numerous dedicated wellbeing initiatives and access to 24/7 mental health support
️ ️ On-site gym at our Chester HQ, We are looking for those who can share in our company goals, values and ethos, who can grow alongside us and whose skills can aid our ongoing success!

By Being One Team, Owning it, Communicating Honestly and showcasing a devotion to Learning, Growing and Innovating, we remain true to our original ethos and ensure we stay true to our Customers, Owners and Colleagues alike.

First and foremost we are interested in those who have the potential to hold these values, as for this position, we ask you to have the following key skills