Head of IT and AI (Part-time)

Business Disability Forum

Hours
21 hours per week

About the Organisation

Business Disability Forum (BDF) is a UK-based non-profit membership organization that helps businesses become more inclusive and accessible for disabled employees and customers. It provides guidance, resources, and networking opportunities to ensure that organizations can confidently recruit, retain, and support disabled people in the workplace.

BDF’s mission is to create an inclusive world where disabled people can contribute and thrive in business without barriers. Their vision is to help businesses improve their disability inclusion strategies by providing expert advice, knowledge-sharing, and practical tools. BDF has a network of over 500 organisations across various sectors, including multinational corporations, public sector institutions, and charities.

Members gain access to expert advice, tailored resources, and peer networking opportunities to drive disability inclusion within their organisations. Business Disability Forum has an ambitious digital strategy. We have invested substantially in the last few years to upgrade three of our digital products (website, Knowledge Hub, and a self-assessment management tool for our Members). 

About the role

Business Disability Forum outsources IT support to various suppliers covering CRM (Salesforce), Microsoft 365, and Telephony. The Head of IT and AI will review and manage these relationships, ensuring users are kept online and active and have the applications best suited to the organisation’s needs, with consideration given for compliance with our memberships’ requirements and best practice data protection.

Business Disability Forum needs to adopt the efficiencies of AI. The Head of IT and AI will be responsible for identifying opportunities, developing our use of AI, harnessing the automation and cost savings offered, while maintaining the security of data and compliance with our memberships’ own compliance needs. The Head of IT and AI will work with members of the leadership team to develop, implement, and monitor a plan to embed the benefits of AI throughout the organisation while mitigating the risks.

Responsibilities

IT infrastructure, Technology & Applications:

• Oversee technical operations, maintaining a suitable and efficient infrastructure, and managing the various IT support organisations we engage with, this may include providing first-line support to users in some instances.
• Ensure systems are accessible, interoperable, and user-centred.
• Maintain a secure, scalable infrastructure that supports innovation.
• Review IT equipment being used by BDF employees in managing/mitigating risks associated with people using personal equipment. This includes ensuring people are complying with BDF requirements.
• Ensure applications, particularly the CRM, meet users’ ongoing needs.

Business Intelligence Strategy:

• Develop and implement a business intelligence strategy aligned with organisational objectives.
• Align IT capabilities with strategic and service delivery goals.
• Continuously assess and enhance business intelligence processes, tools, and methodologies to maximise efficiency and impact.
• Stay informed about emerging trends and best practices in technology transformation and business intelligence.

Emerging Technology & AI:

• Lead the AI transformation agenda, ensuring the delivery of an accessible infrastructure to support this.
• Identify and implement cost-effective emerging technologies, especially AI and RPA (robotic process automation) to improve services, automate processes, and support decision-making, while ensuring ethical and inclusive adoption.
• Develop and monitor protocols for the efficient, cost-effective, and ethical use of AI within the Business Disability Forum.
• Provide or procure appropriate training to ensure that staff are able to maximise the effectiveness of AI tools within the agreed protocols.
• Collaborate with colleagues in the wider IT/AI and charity sector on ethical and effective use of AI
• Share learning with colleagues in the wider team (Policy and Practice) to inform our advice provision and thought leadership on disability inclusive AI.
• Build connections across teams and organisations to support technology and AI capabilities.
• Investigate and implement emerging technologies in line with the organisation’s requirements.

Data Security and Management:

• Oversee data quality, integration, and ethical use to drive insight.
• Ensure best practice data security, including policies and processes, including liaising with ICO where necessary.
• Respond to Subject Access Requests in the statutory timeframe.
• Maintain compliance with our memberships’ data security requirements, including completing questionnaires and forms.
• Ensure alignment with business objectives, digital standards, and data governance policies.
• Oversee data quality control initiatives, data cleansing, and data enrichment procedures.
• Develop, update, and implement appropriate data governance policies and procedures to ensure data accuracy and integrity.
• Ensure the availability of organisational data to generate insights and inform strategic decision-making.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to support their data needs and drive operational efficiency.  Specifically, working with Heads of Department to enable them to capture data and report.
• Supporting ad hoc requests from colleagues to ensure that the CRM continuously improves/evolves to enable colleagues to capture and report on key information.
• Provide data-driven recommendations and actionable insights to improve operational efficiency, programme effectiveness, and resource allocation.
• Provide mentorship and guidance to enhance our team's analytical capabilities and ensure continuous improvement.
• Stay informed about emerging trends, best practices, and technological advancements in business intelligence and data analytics within the charity, business, and disability sectors.

Other:

• Build productive and professional working relationships internally with BDF staff, and externally with Members, Partners, and other stakeholders.
• Take part in one's own continuous improvement activities as required.
• Update and maintain accurate records on the CRM (Salesforce).
• Be familiar with and at all times adhere to BDF policies, procedures, and values, as set out in the Staff Handbook.
• Promote and comply with BDF policies on equality and diversity both in the delivery of services and in working relationships and treatment of others.
• Any other duty as may be assigned that is consistent with the nature of the job and its level of responsibility. Any changes will be made in consultation with the post holder.

Internal:

• Director of Resources
• Director of Communications, Marketing & Digital
• Digital Manager
• Other Directors and Heads of Department

External:

• Potential Business Disability Forum Members and Partners.
• Sharp-IT
• Time Technologies
• Dataquest
• Dowgate Hill House IT team
• All suppliers.
• Contacts in the wider charity sector.

Skills, Competencies, Experience & Attributes

Experience:

• Experience in managing outsourced IT service desks and multiple suppliers
• Appropriate Cybersecurity experience and evidence of continuous development in this area. A relevant Cybersecurity qualification. 
• Experience in managing high-performing technical teams in a corporate and operational environment.
• Significant experience in leading the implementation and ongoing development of CRM (preferably Salesforce) in a charity and membership organisation.
• Demonstrable evidence of developing a team through change and transformation, and developing staff at various levels within a team.
• Proven experience leading AI transformation initiatives, including implementing organisation-wide technology changes.
• Experience developing governance frameworks or protocols for ethical, safe, and responsible use of technology, including knowledge of data protection and AI ethics principles.
• Track record of identifying opportunities for automation and operational efficiencies,
• Experience designing, delivering, or commissioning training related to technology, digital tools, or AI adoption.

Skills:

• Proven ability to develop and deliver complex digital, data, and technology projects and programmes.
• Ability to identify where more efficient systems, such as low code, can be introduced and empower a team to lead. 
• Excellent communication and presentation skills, with the ability to translate complex data into actionable insights for non-technical stakeholders.
• Strong strategic thinking, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.
• Ability to work with and manage multiple suppliers, ensuring the organisation gets the best value and develops strong positive partnerships.
• Ability to identify and plan future needs from a digital and technical perspective.
• Ability to work autonomously with peers to deliver cross-organisational and decentralised insight and analysis strategies.
• Ability to present to executive-level directors and demonstrate the ability to present complex information in a way that enables organisation-wide decisions to be taken.
• Strategic thinking skills, with the ability to shape and lead an AI transformation agenda aligned with organisational objectives.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to evaluate emerging technologies and assess opportunities and risks.
• Excellent communication skills, including the ability to explain technical concepts in accessible, non-technical language.
• Ability to influence, negotiate, and bring colleagues with varying levels of digital confidence on a shared journey of change

Knowledge & Attributes:

• Strong knowledge of business intelligence concepts, data modelling, and data visualisation techniques.
• Encourage and role model a fail-fast, learn-fast culture.
• Appreciation of the Business Disability Forum’s values and commitment to equality and inclusion.
• Patience and empathy.
• Strong understanding of AI technologies, automation tools, and emerging digital trends, including practical applications.
• Commitment to ethical, transparent, and responsible use of AI, aligned with organisational values.
• Collaborative and relationship-focused approach, with a willingness to share learning and support colleagues across the organisation.
• Curiosity and a continuous learning mindset, keeping up to date with new technologies and sector developments.

Compensation & Benefits

• 25 days Annual leave plus statutory and bank holidays (usually 33 days in total)
• Workplace Pension Scheme 8% of gross salary.
• Permanent Health Insurance.
• Probationary period: Six months
• Group Death in Service (Life Assurance 3 x Annual Salary).
• Private Medical Insurance Scheme,
• Private Medical Cashback Scheme.
• Employee Assistance Programme.

Working locations

• Dowgate Hill House, 14-16 Dowgate Hill, London, United Kingdom

How to apply

• Applications should be by CV and a supporting statement, of up to 400 words, detailing why you think you would be suitable for the role, sent to [email protected].
• If you wish to discuss anything regarding accessibility or if you require alternative formats, please contact Barnaby Powell: Tel: 020-7403-3020. Email: [email protected] or [email protected].

Interviews

• First interviews are planned for the 21st & 23rd April 2026. Second interviews are likely to take place in the week commencing 27th April 2026.

Policies

We are committed to becoming disability-smart and an employer of choice irrespective of race (which includes colour, nationality and ethnic or national origins), sex, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, religion or belief, marital or civil partnership status, age, disability, or pregnancy and maternity. The ethical and business case of ensuring that our workforce is representative of wider society is at the heart of what we do.

When we are recruiting, disabled candidates who meet all of the criteria will be offered an interview. Business Disability Forum is committed to ensuring that all its information, products and services are as accessible as possible to everyone.

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