Head of IM, OT & Digital

Element Six is a global leader in the design, development and production of synthetic diamond and tungsten carbide supermaterials. Part of the De Beers Group, we employ over 1,500 people. Our primary manufacturing sites are in the UK, Ireland, Germany, south Africa, and the US; and our world class Global Innovation Centre is near Oxford in the UK.

The Head of IT and Digital is responsible for leading the organisation's technology and digital strategy, ensuring that IT services, cyber security, data, applications, and digital capabilities support the delivery of business objectives.

The role provides strategic leadership across IT operations, operational technology (OT) and digital transformation initiatives, driving innovation, improving customer and employee experiences, enhancing operational efficiency, and ensuring secure, resilient, and scalable technology services.

As a member of the senior leadership team, the Head of IT, OT and Digital acts as a trusted business partner, translating organisational priorities into technology-enabled solutions.

Key Responsibilities:

IT Strategy and Leadership

• Develop and deliver overarching technology and digital roadmaps aligned with organisational objectives.
• Lead and inspire the IT, OT and digital teams, fostering a high-performance and customer-focused culture.
• Act as the senior technology adviser to the Executive Team and Board.
• Ensure technology investments deliver measurable business value.
• Identify emerging technologies and assess opportunities for innovation and competitive advantage.

Digital Transformation

• Lead business transformation programmes enabled through digital technologies.
• Drive automation, workflow optimisation, and process improvement initiatives.
• Champion digital adoption and change management across the organisation.
• Promote a data-driven culture through improved reporting, analytics, and business intelligence capabilities.
• Support the development of digital products, services, and customer engagement channels.
• Lead AI and automation adoption across the organisation.
• Develop governance for Generative AI and Copilot technologies.
• Deliver technology-enabled productivity and efficiency gains.
• IT Operations and Service Delivery:
• Ensure the provision of secure, reliable, and effective IT services.
• Oversee infrastructure, cloud services, networking, end-user computing, applications, and service desk functions.
• Establish and monitor IT service management processes and performance measures.
• Ensure business continuity and disaster recovery arrangements are maintained and tested.
• Manage service availability, service performance, and service improvement initiatives.

OT Operations, Improvement and Service Delivery

• Ensure the provision of secure, reliable, and effective OT services.
• Oversee infrastructure, networking, integration, applications, and line of business equipment.
• Establish, deliver and monitor production improvements through the effective use of technology.
• Ensure business continuity and disaster recovery arrangements are maintained and tested.
• Manage service availability, service performance, and service improvement initiatives.

Cyber Security, Risk and Compliance

• Develop and maintain the organisation's cyber security strategy.
• Ensure compliance with relevant regulatory, legal, and industry requirements.
• Lead cyber security awareness programmes across the organisation.
• Manage cyber risks, incident response processes, and security governance.
• Work closely with internal and external auditors on technology-related controls and assurance activities.

Data and Information Management

• Lead data governance, data quality, and information management initiatives.
• Support the effective use of data analytics and business intelligence tools.
• Ensure data protection obligations are met, including GDPR compliance.
• Promote the use of technology to improve organisational insight and decision-making.

Vendor and Budget Management

• Develop and manage the IT, OT and digital budget.
• Lead procurement and contract negotiations for technology solutions and services.
• Manage relationships with strategic partners, suppliers, and managed service providers.
• Ensure effective commercial management and delivery against service-level agreements.
• Stakeholder Engagement
• Build strong relationships across all business functions.
• Collaborate with senior leaders to identify technology opportunities and priorities.
• Communicate technology strategy, projects, risks, and performance to stakeholders.
• Influence organisational priorities through technology expertise and commercial understanding.
• Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)
• IT and OT service availability and reliability.
• Cyber security maturity and incident management.
• Delivery of digital transformation projects to time and budget.
• Customer and employee satisfaction with technology services.
• Achievement of budget and cost optimisation targets.
• Technology-related risk reduction.
• Adoption rates of digital solutions and processes.
• Business productivity improvements delivered through technology.

Essential Experience

• Proven experience in a senior IT leadership role inclusive of OT and Digital.
• Experience developing and delivering technology and digital strategies.
• Demonstrable success leading digital transformation and business change programmes.
• Experience managing cyber security, data governance, and IT/OT operations.
• Track record of managing third-party suppliers and technology contracts.
• Experience managing budgets and technology investment portfolios.
• Strong stakeholder management skills, including engagement with executive leadership teams.
• Essential Knowledge
• Cloud platforms (Microsoft Azure, AWS, or equivalent).
• Microsoft 365 ecosystem.
• Cyber security frameworks and best practices.
• Data analytics, reporting, and business intelligence platforms.
• IT service management principles (ITIL).
• Enterprise applications, integrations, OT and digital platforms.
• Business continuity and disaster recovery planning.
• Essential Skills
• Strategic thinking and commercial acumen.
• Strong leadership and people management.
• Excellent communication and influencing skills.
• Programme and project leadership.
• Budget management and financial planning.
• Problem-solving and decision-making.
• Change management and organisational transformation.

Qualifications

• Degree-level qualification or equivalent experience in Information Technology, Digital Technology, Business Information Systems, or related discipline.

Leadership Behaviours

The successful candidate will:

• Think strategically while delivering operational excellence.
• Be customer and user focused.
• Lead with integrity and accountability.
• Drive innovation and continuous improvement.
• Make data-informed decisions.
• Build strong and collaborative relationships.
• Inspire teams through change and transformation.