IT Director
Are you an experienced CIO / CDIO who loves dogs and is searching for a purposeful role, leading a brilliant team to deliver huge impact for dog welfare?
We are recruiting for an IT Director (CIO/CDIO) to lead the next phase of our IT transformation to unlock the capability of the brilliant technology stack we’ve put in place – Salesforce, Informatica, Snowflake, etc, and to take responsibility for the smooth day-to-day running of all Dogs Trust technology. As we implement our new strategy, technology is a critical enabler for us to deliver our services to dogs and their humans.
This role reports into our deputy CEO, so is not a member of the Executive Team, but will be the trusted advisor to the Executive Team and our Board of Trustees on all technology matters. They will be an instrumental part of the Director leadership team who are responsible for all functional departments across the organisation.
What does this role do?
As IT Director (CDIO/CIO), you’ll:
- Develop, lead and continually refine Dogs Trust technology development strategy, ensuring it remains aligned to organisational goals and will continue to deliver digital priorities and ongoing transformation - leveraging technology to deliver greater impact.
- Lead, develop, manage and coach the IT senior team, and through them the wider directorate, fostering a culture of collaboration, continuous improvement and inclusion.
- Lead the establishment and maintenance of robust enterprise architecture principles and procedures to ensure coherence, scalability and sustainability of systems and data.
- Lead the design, development and continuous improvement of digital platforms, applications and services, ensuring seamless integration into back-end technology and excellent user experience for staff, volunteers, supporters, customers and optimal outcomes for dogs and their owners.
- Oversee IT project and programme management, ensuring dependencies are managed and initiatives are delivered on time, within budget and to agreed quality standards.
- Lead and support all Heads of Department to effectively deliver all aspects of the strategy. Maintain oversight of each activity, maximising excellence and ensuring compliance with relevant legislation and best practice. This will include making best use of data to support decision making and ensuring maximum impact of activities.
- Ensure heads of department have the appropriate resources to deliver the development strategy, including key areas such as cyber security, and all risks are appropriately managed through policies, procedures and controls.
- Drive service excellence through clear SLAs, performance monitoring and continuous service improvement.
- Set, own and manage the technology budget, ensuring effective financial planning, cost control and value for money in infrastructure and consumables. This will include leading and managing key relationships with suppliers and strategic partners, maximising the value and effectiveness of contracts and the resilience of the relationships.
- Contribute to the development of a shared approach to activities across the DCEO division and play an active role in the wider organisation senior leadership team, contributing to organisational strategy, and cross functional planning and delivery.
- Ensure strong governance, documentation and reporting across all technology domains.
Could this be you?
To be successful in this busy role you’ll have experience in a similar position, with demonstrable working knowledge of technology transformation and enhancing customer service, through a deep understanding of the organisations’ operational needs. You’ll be highly engaging, able to explain technical concepts to business users, able to motivate the IT team to deliver to a high standard and within budget. You’ll have experience of the technology and platforms we have put in place and know how to get the best out of our investment, whilst staying true to our values.
You’ll be adept at managing people and stakeholders, who may have differing agendas, and you’ll be strategic in how you approach problems and opportunities, setting direction and engaging your team and the organisation to deliver. You’ll also have excellent communication skills, with strong supplier management credentials, to get the best out of our strategic partners.
Initial screening calls are scheduled to take place on 5th and 6th February 2026, followed by face to face interviews on 11th February.
Initial screening calls are scheduled to take place on 5th and 6th February 2026, followed by face to face interviews on 11th February.
What does this team do?
The
IT Directorateplays the central role in delivering Dogs Trust’s digital and technology strategy. With a team of around 50 permanent plus 20 fixed term contract staff, the directorate provides specialist support across IT operations, software development, innovation, data, security and architecture. It partners with colleagues across the charity to deliver effective, secure and user-focused systems and services, enabling staff to work efficiently and supporting the organisation’s long-term goals. From managing infrastructure and platforms, to safeguarding data and driving digital transformation, the team ensures Dogs Trust remains resilient, future-ready and responsive to evolving technological needs.- Enterprise Architecture Departmentdefines and governs Dogs Trust’s technology strategy, ensuring solutions are scalable, secure, and aligned with business goals. It provides technical and business process leadership, drives innovation and oversees an enterprise-wide architecture to enable digital transformation and operational efficiency.
- Cyber Security & Technology Services Departmentconsists of Cyber Security & Infrastructure Engineers. The department works to protect systems, networks, and data from threats while maintaining the IT systems that support daily operations. They ensure business continuity and safeguarding against potential disruptions caused by security incidents or infrastructure failures. They also ensure Dogs Trust staff make best use of their end-user-computing services (inc. O365) through configuration, education and communication.
- Data Engineering Departmentdevelops and supports multiple, predominantly SaaS-based data platforms across the charity, primarily utilising core platforms like Snowflake, Tableau, and Informatica. They collaborate closely with other functions to deliver continuous improvements and manage new transformation projects, ensuring that data systems align with and support the Dogs Trust Strategy. They build scalable, reliable data infrastructure and enable data-driven decision-making across the organisation.
- Technology Platforms & Software Engineering Departmentdevelop and support multiple, predominantly SaaS based, platforms across Dogs Trust. The core platforms are Salesforce (plus various Salesforce native apps) and Marketing Cloud. The department is multi-skilled and also develops and supports various other platforms, e.g. ERP (Finance and HR) and veterinary solutions.
- The IT Service Delivery Departmentdelivers high-quality services and support across the organisation. It oversees the tools and platforms that optimise customer experiences, particularly in the adoption of SaaS solutions, while ensuring compliance with policies and regulations. The department acts as a bridge between IT and other departments, driving transformational projects that enhance both technological and operational efficiency. It is committed to continuously improving practices to support the broader mission of Dogs Trust.
About Dogs Trust
We love dogs. That’s why we do whatever we can to make sure every four-legged friend gets the love they deserve. We’ll never put a healthy dog down, so our work is focused on helping dogs in need, supporting owners every step of the walk, and creating a better world for dogs in the future. It’s what we’ve been doing since 1891 and how we’ve grown to become the UK’s leading dog charity, helping 12,000 loyal friends find their forever homes every year.
Documents
To apply for this position please click the APPLY NOW button. Our application process requires you submit a personal statement explaining your interest and suitability for the role.
Dogs are incredibly diverse, much like the humans that love them! At Dogs Trust we value diversity, and we're committed to fostering an inclusive culture. We actively encourage applications from people of all backgrounds, abilities, and cultures and believe that a diverse workforce helps us to achieve our mission. Our colleague networks give our people a voice, acting as vehicles for real and meaningful change within Dogs Trust. We truly want to see every candidate shine throughout the entire job application process, interview stages, and during their time with us. If there's anything on your mind or any adjustments you may need, don't hesitate to reach out to us. Feel free to send us an email at
jobs@dogstrust.org.uk. We're here to support you every step of the way.