Head of I.T

Head of I.TWho We Are:At Life Style Sports, we’re redefining what it means to be a sports retailer!Proudly Irish-owned and Ireland’s leading sports retail destination, we empower the Stylised Athlete through product and concept innovation and unforgettable customer experience. From our Brand Centre in Dublin to our carbon-neutral warehouse, everything we do is built to make an impact.With 42 stores, a thriving eCommerce business, and a passionate team of over 500, we deliver the best from the world’s top sports brands every day. But we’re about more than just products — we’re about people. Guided by our Brand values of Social, Inspirational, and Fearless, we create strong connections with our customers and foster a vibrant, inclusive culture for our team.We’re proud to have been recognised as the #1 sports retailer on the Sunday Independent’s Best Employers list in both 2023 and 2024. We’re breaking barriers and setting new standards for diversity and inclusion in the workplace. Our positive Gender Pay Gap report showcases the strength of our diverse and talented team, and we’re especially proud of the outstanding contributions of the incredible women across our stores and Brand Centre.Ready to push boundaries, embrace challenges, and shape the future of sports retail? Join our EPIC team today and let’s change the game together! Role Summary: As the Head of IT, you will be responsible for leading the Brand’s technology strategy to drive business growth, deliver operational efficiency, and ensure premium customer experiences across all retail channels. This role oversees all aspects of IT operations including delivering new innovative functionality according to the business’s needs, system support and maintenance, partner management, , cybersecurity, data management, BI and reporting.Reporting directly to the Group Finance and I.T Director, the Head of IT will work closely with teams across all aspects of the business including buying, merchandising, retail stores, e-commerce, supply chain and finance. Role Responsibilities:IT Strategy and Planning: Develop and execute I.T .strategy and roadmap that aligns with the business’s long-term objectives. Advise on future technology needs and manage the implementation of new hardware and software. Ultimate objective is for I.T. to be a critical enabler to the business achieving its goals.Team Leadership: Recruit, train, and manage the IT team, fostering a culture of innovation and collaboration.Budget and Financial Management: Oversee the IT budget, manage vendor relationships, and handle procurement for hardware, software, and services.Operations and Infrastructure: Ensure the day-to-day operational efficiency of all IT systems, including infrastructure, networks, integrations and applications. Manage disaster recovery and business continuity plans.Security and Compliance: Establish and enforce security policies, manage cybersecurity threats, and ensure compliance with relevant regulations.Project Management: Lead and deliver IT projects, customisations and releases from scoping to implementation.Stakeholder Management: Collaborate with senior leadership and other departments to ensure IT solutions support business needs. Data and B.I.: Support the business’s B.I. needs encompassing data integrity, dashboard / reporting strategy including training and development.Key Requirements:Education: A bachelor's or master's degree in computer science, IT, or a related field is often required.Experience: Proven experience in IT leadership and management is crucial, typically with several years in a technical management role (5 years minimum). Experience of FMCG especially OMNI/multi-channel Retail is a distinct advantage.Technical Skills: Broad technical knowledge of infrastructure, enterprise systems, integrations, cybersecurity, and data management.About you:Leadership: Strong leadership, mentoring, and team-building skills.Business Acumen: The ability to translate business goals into IT strategy and manage budgets effectively.Communication: Excellent communication, interpersonal, and stakeholder management skills.Problem-Solving: Strong analytical and critical thinking skills for troubleshooting and strategic planning.Vendor Management: Experience negotiating with and managing relationships with IT suppliers and contractors.