Head of IT Systems

HEAD OF SYSTEMS

• £60,000 – £70,000 + benefits
• Chesterfield – hybrid (2–3 days per week on-site)
• SQL Server, T-SQL, Microsoft Access, VBA, Team Leadership
• daniel.massey@searchability.com THE ROLE A hands-on Head of Systems is needed to lead a small in-house development team and take ownership of a bespoke, business-critical system. Working alongside the current Head of Systems, you'll build a deep understanding of the platform, then lead the team and shape its long-term direction, keeping the core system running reliably while modernising it step by step. ABOUT THE CLIENT My client is a well-established, successful business whose operations run on an in-house system built on SQL Server with a Microsoft Access front end. They're investing in their technology function, growing the development team and taking a pragmatic approach to modernisation: keep what works, improve it steadily, and bring in modern development, integration and automation where it adds real value. THE BENEFITS
• £60,000 – £70,000 depending on experience
• Hybrid working – 2–3 days per week on-site
• A leadership role with genuine influence over the future of a business-critical platform
• The chance to build and shape a growing development team
• Stability and investment from an established, growing business THE HEAD OF SYSTEMS ROLE
• Take ownership of a complex SQL Server-backed system with a Microsoft Access front end
• Lead, mentor and grow a small development team, including new hires over the coming year
• Work closely with the current Head of Systems to build a thorough understanding of the platform
• Define and deliver an incremental modernisation roadmap, deciding what to keep, improve or replace
• Stay hands-on with development, T-SQL and troubleshooting where needed
• Oversee system integrations with third parties and the delivery of new tools around the core system
• Introduce good development practice, such as source control, documentation, testing and release processes
• Act as the key link between the business and technology, translating needs into clear priorities ESSENTIAL SKILLS
• Strong commercial experience with SQL Server and T-SQL
• Experience of working with, and ideally modernising, complex legacy systems
• Proven experience leading or managing a development team
• A pragmatic, incremental approach to modernisation rather than full rewrites
• Confident communicating with senior, non-technical stakeholders
• Microsoft Access/VBA experience would be a strong advantage
• Exposure to modern languages and platforms (e.g. C#/.NET, Python, APIs, automation) would be a strong advantage