IDT Operations Director (Gaydon, GB)

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POSITION: Operations Director, Information & Digital Technology (IDT)

POSTING END DATE: 02/07/2025

LOCATION: Gaydon, Warwickshire (UK)

SALARY: Competitive

At JLR, we're on a continual journey to reimagine the future of modern luxury, and we want you to be part of it. Through our exquisite and timeless house of brands – Range Rover, Defender, Discovery and Jaguar – we're defining a new approach to sustainability and providing exceptional experiences. As a leader here, you have the opportunity to influence the way we think, providing your unique insight and vision for a better future. It's time to become a proud creator. WHAT TO EXPECTJLR is at the forefront of automotive technology, driving the future of mobility through advanced manufacturing processes, cutting-edge R&D, and a dedication to operational excellence. As Operations Director (IDT), you’ll lead our critical IT infrastructure and services, ensuring the seamless and secure operation of our complex manufacturing, supply chain, R&D and business functions, across multiple global sites.

You’ll need to be a visionary leader with a deep understanding of IT best practices, a commitment to operational efficiency, and the drive to lead continuous improvement in a fast-paced environment.

THE ROLEKey Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership

Define and deliver IT operations strategy aligned with business goals, with a focus on Industry 4.0 and smart manufacturing. Lead the design and deployment of scalable, secure infrastructure supporting manufacturing, R&D, and corporate functions. Drive technology adoption to boost efficiency, reduce costs, and enhance performance. Oversee disaster recovery and business continuity planning to safeguard critical operations.

Operational Management

Oversee daily IT infrastructure operations, including physical and virtual servers, storage, networking (LAN/WAN/Wi-Fi), cloud platforms (Azure, AWS, GCP), and enterprise applications. Manage and enhance data centre operations, covering power, cooling, physical security, and environmental monitoring. Ensure the reliability and performance of key systems such as MES, ERP, and PLM. Implement and maintain effective monitoring tools to proactively detect and resolve IT issues. Supervise IT service desk operations, ensuring prompt and effective support for users across manufacturing sites and offices. Oversee the support service for existing applications whilst rationalising legacy estate.

Cybersecurity & Compliance

Partner with the CISO function to drive enterprise-wide security strategy, ensuring robust protection of intellectual property, operational technology, and critical assets. Oversee compliance with global data protection regulations (e.g. GDPR, CCPA) and internal governance standards. Lead executive response to cybersecurity incidents and major IT disruptions, ensuring swift resolution and business continuity.

Team Leadership & Development

Build and lead a high-performing IT operations team, promoting a culture of learning, accountability, and service excellence. Set clear objectives, manage performance, and conduct regular reviews. Oversee recruitment and development of skilled IT professionals.

Vendor Management & Budget

Manage vendor relationships (notably TCS), ensuring contract compliance and SLA performance. Oversee IT operations budget, aligning spend with strategic and financial objectives.

Continuous Improvement & Innovation

Champion ITIL and COBIT frameworks to enhance IT service delivery and governance. Lead automation initiatives to streamline operations and reduce manual effort. Monitor emerging technologies and trends relevant to automotive manufacturing and IT.

WHAT YOU’LL NEED

Essential Knowledge, Skills and Experience

Education

Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, Engineering, or a related field. Master's degree preferred.

Experience

Extensive background in IT operations, including senior leadership roles within complex, large-scale manufacturing environments, ideally with experience with Supply Chain and Retail. Proven success managing mission-critical IT infrastructure supporting 24/7 manufacturing operations. Strong expertise in implementing and optimising ITIL-based service management processes. Skilled in cloud platforms (Azure, AWS, GCP) and hybrid cloud architectures. Knowledge of OT/IT convergence and industrial control systems (ICS/SCADA) is highly advantageous. Experience of working with both onshore and offshore third-party resources.

Technical Skills

Expertise in network architecture, server administration (Windows and Linux), virtualization technologies (VMware, Hyper-V). Strong understanding of cybersecurity principles and best practices. Proficiency in IT service management (ITSM) tools (e.g., ServiceNow, Jira Service Management). Knowledge of enterprise applications commonly used in automotive manufacturing (e.g., SAP, MES, PLM). Experience with data backup, recovery, and business continuity solutions.

Personal Profile

Demonstrates our Creators' Code behaviours of Customer Love, Unity, Integrity, Growth and Impact. Exceptional leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills with the ability to influence and collaborate at all levels of the organisation. Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities, with a focus on delivering practical and effective solutions. Ability to manage multiple priorities in a dynamic, fast-paced environment. Results-oriented with a strong commitment to operational excellence and continuous improvement. Strategic thinker with a hands-on approach when required.

Creating Modern Luxury requires a modern approach to work. At JLR, hybrid working is a voluntary, non-contractual arrangement providing employees flexibility around how, when and where they work. Some roles require more on-site work, but details of this can be discussed with the hiring manager during the interview stage.

We work hard to nurture a culture that is inclusive and welcoming to all. We understand candidates may require reasonable adjustments during the recruitment process. Please discuss these with your recruiter so we can accommodate your needs.

JLR is committed to equal opportunity for all.

Please be aware that we may close this vacancy for applications before the stated deadline if we receive a high volume of interest. We strongly advise you to submit your application as early as possible.

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