Head of Technology

Chartered Society of Physiotherapy

Hours
35 hours per week

About the Organisation

Chartered Society of Physiotherapy (CSP) is the professional, educational and trade union body for the UK's 67,000 chartered physiotherapists, physiotherapy students and support workers, and one of the largest representative bodies in healthcare. At the CSP, our goal is to create a culture characterised by innovation, respect, encouragement, passion and teamwork. We all strive for continuous improvement and to deliver the best possible outcomes for our members.

We aspire to work in a way that embodies our values of learning, courage, inclusion, and integrity. Our shared values are part of our organisational DNA, reflecting the expectations we have of ourselves and others. They guide what we do and how we do it, to have the greatest impact for our members.

About the role

Technology has never been more important to the success, resilience and future of the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy (CSP). From the growing opportunities presented by artificial intelligence and digital innovation to the increasing importance of cyber security, information governance and operational resilience, technology is central to how we support our members and deliver our organisational ambitions. We are looking for an exceptional Head of Technology to provide the strategic vision, leadership and expertise to help us navigate this changing landscape and make the most of the opportunities ahead.

The CSP is a professional body and trade union representing over 67,000 physiotherapists, associates and students. This is an exciting opportunity to take the lead in shaping and delivering our technology strategy, ensuring our systems, services and infrastructure are secure, resilient, effective and fit for the future.

Working closely with our Leadership Team, Digital Board and colleagues across the organisation, you will set the direction for technology, provide expert advice and leadership on emerging opportunities and risks, and play a pivotal role in enabling our wider digital transformation. You will champion the responsible adoption of new technologies, while ensuring we have the right architecture, controls and capabilities to support our ambitions.

You will also lead our ICT operations and service delivery, developing a high-performing, customer-focused team and ensuring colleagues have the technology and support they need to work effectively. Alongside this, you will oversee our technology investment, supplier relationships, cyber security and operational resilience, ensuring we achieve real value and manage risk effectively.

We are looking for an experienced technology leader who can combine strategic thinking with operational delivery, translate complex technical issues into clear decisions and build strong relationships across an organisation. If you are excited by the opportunity to shape the future of technology in a purpose-driven organisation, we would love to hear from you.

Responsibilities

Technology Strategy and Architecture:

• Lead the development, maintenance and delivery of the CSP’s technology strategy, roadmap and operational plans, aligned with corporate priorities and the digital transformation strategy.
• Develop and maintain appropriate technology architecture, ensuring systems and services are secure, integrated, scalable, sustainable and fit for purpose.
• Provide strategic leadership and governance for the responsible adoption of artificial intelligence and other emerging technologies, ensuring appropriate consideration of security, information governance, ethics, accessibility, organisational readiness and value for money.

Cyber Security, Risk and Resilience:

• Provide strategic leadership for technology security and cyber risk management, ensuring proportionate controls, clear accountability and effective monitoring are in place.
• Maintain and regularly test arrangements for business continuity, disaster recovery and recovery of business-critical technology services; lead or coordinate the ICT response to significant incidents and outages.
• Provide clear assurance and timely escalation on material technology risks, incidents, vulnerabilities and mitigation plans.

ICT Operations and Service Delivery:

• Lead and drive the ICT Operations and Service Delivery functions, ensuring the provision of reliable, responsive and customer-focused services that enable colleagues and member groups to work effectively in a hybrid environment.
• Set clear service standards, performance measures and improvement priorities; monitor service quality, user experience and the effective use of core systems and infrastructure.
• Ensure ICT policies, processes and controls are practical, current and aligned with the CSP’s strategy, values and obligations.

Digital Transformation and Technical Leadership

• Provide technical leadership for significant, organisation-wide or high-risk technology and digital transformation initiatives, from requirements and options appraisal through design, implementation and evaluation.
• Work collaboratively with the Data, Digital and Business Innovation teams and the Digital Transformation Programme Manager to ensure technology solutions are joined up, deliverable and support organisational outcomes.
• Provide matrix leadership and constructive challenge across projects and business areas, helping colleagues build digital confidence and adopt new ways of working.

People Leadership and Culture:

• Lead, motivate and develop the ICT Solutions Delivery and ICT Operations teams, setting clear objectives, supporting professional development and holding colleagues to account for agreed outcomes.
• Build a collaborative, inclusive and service-oriented culture focused on continuous improvement, sound judgement, knowledge sharing and effective partnership with colleagues across the CSP.
• Model the CSP’s values, communicate clearly, and deal constructively with difficult issues, competing priorities and change.

Commercial, Supplier and Financial Management:

• Manage the ICT budget, including planning and monitoring revenue and capital expenditure, advising on investment choices and ensuring value for money.
• Lead procurement, tendering, contract negotiation and ongoing management of ICT suppliers, ensuring that contracts, service levels, security requirements and performance expectations are clear and effectively monitored.
• Maintain strong relationships with critical suppliers, challenge performance where necessary and manage commercial, delivery and continuity risks.

Governance and Stakeholder Advice:

• Provide clear, balanced and accessible technical advice to the Leadership Team, Digital Board, FRAC, Council and other relevant forums, explaining complex issues, options, risks and recommendations.
• Maintain appropriate documentation of technology decisions, technical requirements, standards, risks and service expectations.
• Work closely with internal stakeholders to understand needs, prioritise demand and ensure that technology decisions are transparent and aligned to organisational priorities.

Skills, Competencies, Experience & Attributes

Previous Experience:

• Significant senior leadership experience in an ICT, IT or technology function within an organisation of comparable scale or complexity.
• Experience developing and delivering a technology strategy or roadmap aligned to organisational priorities.
• Experience leading technology-enabled change or complex projects, from options appraisal and requirements through implementation and review.
• Experience leading cyber-security risk management, including assessment, mitigation, incident response and communicating risk to decision makers.
• Experience leading ICT operations or service delivery, with a focus on service quality, resilience and user needs.
• Experience managing technology suppliers, procurement or tender processes, contracts and service performance.
• Experience managing a significant budget or technology investment portfolio, including prioritisation and value for money.

Skills & Knowledge:

• Ability to set direction, empower and develop colleagues, manage performance and build a collaborative, inclusive and accountable team culture.
• Strong stakeholder management skills, with the judgement, tact and diplomacy to build relationships and constructively challenge where needed.
• Highly analytical with ability to assess options, solve complex problems, document decisions and make proportionate, evidence-based recommendations.
• Strong understanding of technology architecture, cloud services, Microsoft 365 or comparable collaboration platforms, identity and access management, endpoint management and cyber-security controls.
• Knowledge of contract law and skills in the drafting and negotiation of contract clauses and service levels
• Knowledge of Microsoft Azure, SharePoint, Teams, Power
• Platform, endpoint protection, Microsoft Defender and Microsoft Sentinel, or comparable technologies.

Other Requirements:

• Commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion, and ability to apply these principles in leadership, service delivery and working relationships.
• Takes responsibility for accurate, current and appropriately protected information, including sensitive and confidential data.

Required Qualifications

• Postgraduate ICT qualification or equivalent experience
• Relevant ICT, technology, cyber-security or related professional qualification, or equivalent professional experience.

Compensation & Benefits

• Season Ticket Loan: Interest-free loan for travel expenses.
• Cycle-to-Work Scheme: bicycle loan options and secure bike storage at our London office.
• CSP Plus Discounts: Saving on a range of everyday products and services, including insurance, health clubs, hotel stays, and more.
• Family Leaves: Enhanced maternity, paternity, and shared parental leave.
• Eye Care Support: You can claim expenses for eye tests and prescription glasses.
• Flu Vaccination Vouchers: Support for staying healthy during flu season.
• Annual Pay Award: Incremental increases and cost-of-living pay rises each April.
• Pension Scheme: A defined contribution salary sacrifice scheme with an employer contribution of 12%.
• Life Assurance: Coverage of 4 times your annual salary.
• Generous Annual Leave: 27days of annual leave plus statutory bank holidays, with annual leave increasing incrementally from your 5th anniversary, up to a total of 32 days. Christmas Office Closure: The office is closed from 25 December to 2 January.

Working locations

• Hybrid model, working in the London office and remotely

How to apply

• Please apply online and complete the online application form. CVs will not be accepted.
• If you have any questions about the role, please contact Jon Mawby, Director of Corporate Services, at [email protected].
• As part of the application process, candidates will be asked to provide written responses to six criteria, which can be found in the Candidate Information Pack.
• To support an equitable and accessible recruitment experience, we actively encourage candidates to let us know if they require any reasonable adjustments during the application or interview stages. Please contact [email protected], and we will work with you to meet your needs.

Interviews

• The shortlisting outcome is W/C 30th November
• The interview date is 8th December 2026
• We recommend preparing bullet points rather than fully scripted answers and using these as prompts during the interview if helpful. Interviews are held either at our London office or virtually via Microsoft Teams or Zoom.
• If you're shortlisted, we'll invite you by email to log in to the eRecruitment system and select an interview time. We will also provide full details of the interview process, including any tasks, assessments, or presentations you will be asked to prepare.
• If you are unsuccessful at the application stage, you will be notified by email, usually around one week before the interview date. We will send you a selection of the interview questions 48 hours in advance. This is intended to give you time to prepare and carefully consider your examples to ensure they align with the person specification for the role. Our recruitment process typically involves a single interview stage. On some occasions, we may choose to include a test or presentation task.
• We aim to notify you of the outcome within 2 working days of your interview. If we expect this to take longer, we will keep you informed.

Policies

As part of the Disability Confident Scheme, candidates who declare a disability and meet the six essential criteria we have selected will normally be shortlisted for interview. There may be occasions, such as having a high volume of applications, where it is not possible to interview all Disability Confident candidates who meet the six selected essential criteria for the role. We may wish to limit the overall number of interviews offered to both candidates with and without disabilities. In these circumstances, we will ensure that a proportionate number of disabled candidates are shortlisted for interview.

CSP is committed to equity of opportunity, aiming to provide a working and learning environment free from discrimination. We are taking appropriate steps to create a workforce that reflects the diverse society in which we work and live. Therefore, we encourage applications from candidates underrepresented in the CSP’s workforce, including those from Black, Asian, and minority ethnic backgrounds, those with disabilities, and LGBTQIA+ people. Please note that all candidates will be expected to actively demonstrate their commitment to Equity, Diversity, and Belonging throughout the application and interview stages. To view our Equity Diversity, and Belonging strategy. 

Return to listing