Head of IT and Digital Services

National Federation of Womens Institutes

Hours
35 hours per week

About the Organisation

With a 110-year history, we are proud to be able to say that the WI continues to be the largest and most influential UK-based women’s organisation, with over 170,000 members. Our campaigns push for change on the issues that matter to women and their communities, from equal pay to climate change, mental health, and violence against women. The WI has brought about real change, and this record of action shows that we are as relevant today as we were in 1915. National Federation of Women’s Institutes (the NFWI) is responsible for running the organisation and provides support and advice to members at both regional and local levels.

About the role

This is an exciting role with responsibility for both IT and Digital. You will actively implement new tools and platforms, oversee data protection compliance and cyber security, whilst developing effective policies and guidelines spanning our IT infrastructure. You will also take ownership of our digital strategy across all channels, driving service delivery and managing significant relationships, contracts, and budgets.

We will look to you to lead digital transformation and champion innovation, whilst delivering workshops and training sessions to diverse colleagues. In short, you will be the catalyst that gets the most from our online presence, our technology, and our vendors and partners, ensuring best practice and value in everything you do.
Highly experienced as an IT thought leader and manager with technical experience, you will combine a strategic mindset with a truly hands-on approach.

Developing strategy, as well as leading and managing IT and digital change projects, should be second nature to you. Similarly, you will be experienced in mentoring teams and controlling websites, CMS platforms, and integrated digital systems. A degree in Computer Science or a related discipline would be beneficial, alongside knowledge of data protection legislation, digital accessibility and inclusion, Squiz DXP, Azure, Intune, and AWS. However, your ability to communicate effectively with non-technical colleagues is just as important. Above all, you will bring everything it takes to get the most out of people, systems, and budgets, with real passion for cutting-edge technology and the drive and determination to make things happen.

Responsibilities

Digital Leadership:

• Develop and maintain a digital transformation roadmap aligned with wider organisational strategy and objectives.
• Identify opportunities for digital innovation that improve member experience and operational efficiency.
• Lead, or provide technical input to change management initiatives, ensuring the successful adoption of digital tools and platforms.
• Represent digital interests at the senior leadership level.
• Develop and maintain digital policies, standards, and guidelines to ensure data security, regulatory compliance, and alignment with the organisation's digital strategy.

Digital Service Delivery:

• Oversee the operation of all digital platforms (website, My WI, MCS, Prospects, shops), ensuring service quality and reliability.
• Ensure the website CMS is effectively managed by the Online Content Editor with appropriate content governance.
• Oversee the integration and interoperability between all digital platforms.
• Work with the Facilities Manager to maintain the IT infrastructure plan.
• Establish and maintain disaster recovery and business continuity plans for all digital services.

Vendor, Budget, and Contract Management:

• Manage relationships with the MSP, digital agencies, and all software vendors.
• Negotiate, manage, and monitor all IT and digital contracts, ensuring value for money.
• Oversee the MSP's delivery of day-to-day IT support against agreed SLAs.
• Manage the digital services budget, including forecasting and cost control.
• Ensure vendors follow security best practices and comply with NFWI policies

Data Protection & Cyber Security:

• Act as senior internal contact for data protection compliance (UK GDPR, PECR).
• Maintain the information security policy and oversee cyber security measures, including Cyber Essentials compliance.
• Ensure regular security assessments, including organising penetration testing.
• Oversee incident response procedures with the MSP and digital agencies.
• Direct the Finance and Data Protection Support Officer’s data protection responsibilities.

Digital Innovation:

• Stay informed of digital trends and assess their potential impact on the NFWI and the wider organisation.
• Establish a network of digital champions within federations to support local transformation efforts based on NFWI best practice and guidance
• Improve data analytics capabilities to better understand our members, their interests, and preferences.

Digital Training:

• Oversee, and as necessary, assist in the delivery of digital training for staff and Federations.
• Ensure the Digital team develops and maintains comprehensive training materials and documentation.
• Oversee the delivery of training programs, ensuring quality and effectiveness.
• Work alongside the Education and Training team to identify digital skills gaps

Senior Management & Collaboration:

• Work with Directors and Heads, ensuring digital considerations are embedded in all initiatives.
• Collaborate and assist other teams with their digital tools (Supporters shop, WI shop), providing technical expertise and insight as required.
• Oversee the technical development, maintenance, and performance of MCS (membership CRM) while Facilities manages day-to-day usage and member data operations.
• Participate in relevant committee meetings and working groups.

Other day-to-day Operational Responsibilities:

• Oversee and internally manage IT outages.
• Oversee and assist as necessary in hardware replacements (laptops, switches, peripherals).
• Provide technical knowledge and experience to the Events team for any internal meetings (Zoom, Teams, etc.)

Line Management - Digital Content Editor and Digital Assistant

• Be a positive role model for the Digital Content Editor and Digital Assistant.
• Promote an inclusive and collaborative environment that values diverse opinions and provides equal opportunities.
• Champion positive culture and encourage constructive interactions and respectful behaviour that maintains trust.
• Build positive team and workplace relationships and commit to addressing any challenges or conflicts.
• Ensure any project work within the team will benefit the NFWI’s strategic objectives and create a sense of ownership.
• Support the team’s performance and help them navigate any challenges.
• Provide the team with opportunities for professional development through training or new experiences within their role, the team or across the organisation.

Skills, Competencies & Experience

Experience & Interest:

• Significant senior experience in a digital/IT leadership role with strategic responsibility
• Proven track record of developing and implementing digital strategies
• Experience managing multiple vendor relationships and contracts
• Demonstrable experience managing IT/digital budgets and achieving value for money
• Experience leading digital transformation or change programmes
• Direct line management experience, including performance management and team development
• Experience managing websites,
• CMS platforms and integrated digital systems
• Experience working with external agencies and managed service providers
• Experience managing data protection/GDPR compliance programmes
• Experience in disaster recovery and business continuity planning
• Experience managing stakeholder relationships at a senior level

Knowledge:

• Strong understanding of current digital trends and technologies
• Understanding of data protection legislation (UK GDPR, PECR, Data
• Protection Act, etc.)
• Knowledge of cybersecurity principles and best practices
• Understanding of vendor management and procurement processes
• Knowledge of budget management and financial planning

Skills & Abilities:

• Excellent stakeholder management across diverse groups (staff, Trustees, members, etc.)
• Strong leadership skills with the ability to motivate and develop a small team
• Strong communication skills, with the ability to explain technical
• concepts to non-technical audiences
• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities
• Ability to work collaboratively across departments 

Required Qualifications

• Educated to degree level, with equivalent professional experience. Degree in Computer Science, Information Systems, Digital Media or a related field

Conditions of employment

• You must  have right to work in the UK

Working locations

• Hybrid model, working in the London office and remotely
• Some attendance at meetings or conferences may occasionally require overnight stays unless they are digital.
• Attendance at meetings, events, and conferences to enhance performance or that fall within this role is in addition to this.
• Managers can request that you attend the office more often, where there is a business need.
• Core hours are in effect, from 10 am to 4 pm, which means your hours must include this time, but with flexibility to work between 8 am and 6 pm, both at home and in the office.
• There is a Hybrid Policy to support the arrangement, which is non-contractual and subject to change.
• We are also open to other forms of formal flexible working requests from the outset, which staff can request from the outset of their employment. 

How to apply

• Equal-Opportunities Form
• NFWI-Recruitment-Privacy-Notice
• To apply, please submit your current CV with a covering letter clearly explaining why you would be suitable for the role to the HR department at [email protected].

Interviews

• Interview date: First and second-round interviews to be held w/c 8th December 2025

Policies

The WI is proud to be an equal opportunities employer and values diversity

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