Group Head of Technology, Digitial

Excellence is everywhere, opportunity is not.

Career opportunities offering the chance to make an impact at both a professional and societal level are rare, but if you’re an accomplished technology leader with a strong emphasis on digital and data transformation, this is one worth paying attention to.

We’re honoured to be retained by Right to Dream as they seek to appoint the company’s first Group Head of Technology, Digital & Data at an exciting time in their unique journey. Right to Dream is a company like no other in the world of football with an unerring commitment to giving life changing opportunities to young people through their world‑class academies, clubs and partners. A critical new addition to the executive team, the Group Head of Technology, Digital & Data will be a key strategic enabler to aspirational international growth plans, leading the strategic vision, architecture, delivery and operational management of the technology estate across their football clubs and academies.

A passion for football is not necessary, but a passion for the purpose is non‑negotiable

About the role

Reporting directly to the Group CEO, you’ll be the organisation’s most senior technology leader, combining big‑picture thinking with a practical mindset. You’ll bring technology capabilities together into a single group support function, driving common efficiencies, clear roadmaps and toolsets. A central priority is data transformation, connecting information across the group and using AI, data and analytics to deliver tangible business value. You’ll lead a significant transition in the technology operating model, driving change while remaining hands‑on when required.

Notable responsibilities will include:

• Technology Strategy & Architecture: define and own the 3–5 year Technology, Digital & Data Strategy aligned with Right to Dream’s strategy and transformation agenda. Assess emerging technologies and lead innovation and investment prioritisation.
• Digital & Data Transformation: lead automation, cloud adoption, mobile workforce enablement and data‑driven decision‑making, including player models. Integrate IT, digital and data into a coherent capability, improving data capture, quality and integration alongside culture, capability building and governance.
• Leadership, Team & Capability Building: build, lead and develop a high‑performing technology organisation spanning digital, IT operations, data and insights. Manage vendor and partner relationships, including procurement, service levels, contract governance and performance.
• Governance & Programme Delivery: own transformation programme governance and report progress, risks, dependencies and milestones to the executive team. Ensure programmes are delivered on time, within budget and aligned with business outcomes and benefits.
• Technology Operations & Infrastructure: implement the new operating model through stakeholder engagement and common standards. Oversee deployment, maintenance and continuous improvement of the technology estate, ensuring availability, performance, scalability and security as the business grows.
• Cybersecurity & Data Governance: own cybersecurity strategy, cyber‑risk management and compliance. Establish data governance and insights capabilities, providing reliable, intuitive and secure access to key data so that decisions can be made closer to the business.

About the person

Right to Dream is an extraordinary organisation, and we’re looking for a senior technology leader to play an instrumental role in its next phase. You’ll bring a demonstrable record of impact in technology leadership, whether as a CTO, CIO or Director/Head‑level leader, navigating complex international operations. You’ll be strategic, practical, culturally intelligent and adaptable. With integrity and sound judgement, you’ll build influential relationships and become a trusted member of the leadership team.

Among the key experiences we’ll also hope to see will be:

• Track record of delivering technology strategy and transformation: aligned with organisational goals, within budget, risk and timescales.
• Data is paramount in football. Sports‑sector experience is helpful, but we’ll equally consider leaders from sectors with a comparable emphasis on complex data management.
• Demonstrated experience of managing and developing multi‑discipline teams: (IT operations, infrastructure, digital, data, cybersecurity).
• Excellent communication skills: able to bridge technical and business audiences, present to executive leadership, produce board‑level reporting and dashboards.
• Broad understanding of enterprise technology architecture (infrastructure, applications, data, cloud/hybrid, security).
• Experience of digital transformation, automation,