Head of IT Delivery

Head of I&T Delivery – ISS

Location – UK

Subject to Consultation

About the role

Reporting into the Information, Security and Services IT Director, we are looking for an experienced Head of I&T Delivery to join the ISS team.

A primary focus for the Head of I&T Delivery is to ensure the Infrastructure, Security & Services (ISS) portfolio meets objectives, timelines, and budget by orchestrating the function processes to prioritize projects across the function in conjunction with the business and delivery teams. 

As the Head of I&T Delivery you will have a significant level of interaction with cross-functional departments in the company and will also be responsible for ensuring projects are resourced with effective project management capabilities, and projects are managed and governed in line with group PMO frameworks and standards. 

A primary focus for the Head of I&T Delivery is:

• To own and develop the IS&S I&T PMO processes (including, portfolio management, project management, resource and capacity management) 

• To own the performance and strategy delivery frameworks for the IS&S I&T agenda   

• To enable the improvement and alignment of process and people capabilities across the function as part of the wider I&T transformation and performance portfolio with a dotted line into the Group I&T Transformation and Performance Director  

• To work with the DS Smith I&T teams to gain a better understanding of the project portfolio and business priorities 

• Secure and develop project management capabilities for the strategic delivery portfolio. This may entail managing project deliveries themselves as required  

• With a dotted line report to the I&T Transformation and Performance Director, ensure project delivery is maintained in line with group reporting and governance standards and that projects within the portfolio are delivered on time, on budget, and to quality satisfaction levels. 

• To work with the DS Smith I&T Team to create a PMO roadmap that will increase PMO Maturity within DS Smith and deliver a service that satisfies the needs of DS Smith  

• Perform services in accordance with best practice, internal standards or frameworks and with professional standards of skill, care and diligence. 

The Head of I&T Delivery will have an aptitude for translating complex, technical subjects into clear, business-oriented language and have the ability to work across diverse organisations leading complex internal and external project teams. 

You will report to the Infrastructure, Security & Services ITD and will cooperate with the IT Management Team and transformation functions to support alignment of the project portfolio across the DS Smith IT organisation. 

Key Accountabilities:

• Responsible for maintaining the demand and portfolio management processes within the functional area of responsibility

• Responsible for the resourcing of project management and delivery standards for the formally identified set of projects which form the corporate or division project portfolio.

• Administers the portfolio management process across SE IT and business executives.

• Ensures all project are appropriately resourced with Project management capabilities, and all projects are evaluated and managed against std project evaluation criteria and management frameworks

• Works with the finance organization to ensure project benefits are demonstrated in methodology that will enable objective evaluation of projects against company objectives and thereby aid project approval decision-making

• Works with business partners, functional leaders, and project managers to identify project interrelationships that will affect portfolio priority and resource allocation decisions

• Ensures all required data for making portfolio decisions is complete and available for decision-making, working with functional managers and project managers to do so

• Maintains the portfolio documentation and minutes of project review board meetings

• Monitors projects in the portfolio—milestone schedule commitments, resource commitments—and collects project information to update the portfolio.

• Distributes project portfolio information to executive management, directors, and other key personnel

• Works with project managers to translate portfolio decisions to appropriate plans for and execution of the project

• Responsible for working with the I&T transformation and Performance director to implement improvements in functional processes and also development of people capabilities across the division  

About you

• Proven experience leading technology transformation delivery across infrastructure and security portfolios. 

• Strong background in programme management, delivery governance, and benefits realisation within a large enterprise. 

• Experience managing a multi-sourced delivery model and integrating vendor-delivered workstreams. 

• Track record of successful delivery of high-value, cross-functional programmes. 

• Understanding of IT operating models, infrastructure modernisation, and security transformation. 

• Expert in programme and portfolio management methodologies (e.g., MSP, PRINCE2, Agile delivery). 

• Skilled in RAID management, dependency mapping, and stakeholder engagement. 

• Strong financial acumen with ability to manage benefits tracking and budget performance. 

• Excellent communication, influencing, and leadership skills. 

• Familiarity with PPM Tools, project performance dashboards, and governance reporting.