Cambridge Design Partnership is looking for a Head of IT and Systems to help take our technology capability to the next level.
CDP is a 150-person, employee-owned product and innovation consultancy operating across the UK and US.
Our scientists, engineers, designers and commercial teams work together to solve complex problems for leading healthcare, life sciences and consumer businesses.
Technology already plays an important role in how we work.
As CDP grows, we want to make even better use of it.
This role brings together IT operations, enterprise systems, data, cyber security, automation, AI and digital transformation under one senior leader.
You will help shape the future technology landscape, improve how our systems connect, strengthen the way we use data and create a simpler, more effective digital experience for colleagues across the business to help enable our new growth strategy.
Reporting to the CFO and working closely with the Leadership Team, you will lead a small internal team supported by specialist partners.
There is real scope to shape the agenda.
You will help us decide where technology can make the biggest difference, build a practical roadmap and turn that into visible improvements across the business.
That includes making better use of our existing platforms, developing our systems and data capability, identifying valuable automation and AI opportunities, and ensuring our core IT services remain secure, reliable and easy to use.
We are looking for someone who combines strategic thinking with practical delivery.
Someone who can see the whole technology landscape, make good decisions about priorities and investment, and work with colleagues across the business to make change stick.
Job Duties and Responsibilities
Technology Strategy and Transformation
Develop and deliver a practical technology, systems, data and digital roadmap aligned with CDP's growth strategy
Identify where technology can have the greatest impact on productivity, client delivery, decision-making and employee experience
Set clear priorities for technology investment and digital change
Define pragmatic architecture, integration and technology standards
Lead the evolution of CDP's technology landscape as the business grows
Ensure major initiatives have clear ownership, strong business cases and measurable outcomes
Enterprise Systems and Business Processes
Take overall responsibility for CDP's enterprise systems landscape, including CRM, project and resource management, finance, HR, collaboration, document management and workflow
Lead the continued development or replacement of platforms including HubSpot, SAP Business ByDesign, Microsoft 365/SharePoint, Egnyte and internally developed systems
Work with leaders across CDP to improve end-to-end business processes
Strengthen the flow of information from sales and opportunities through project delivery, resourcing, time recording, invoicing and management reporting




Establish clear ownership, roadmaps and support models for core systems
Develop a strong business-systems capability that can support CDP's future growth
Data, Automation and AI
Improve the quality, accessibility and use of core business data
Work with Finance and other functions to develop better management information and insight
Identify and deliver automation opportunities that improve productivity and quality
Lead CDP's approach to responsible and effective use of AI
Help turn promising AI and automation ideas into useful everyday tools and workflows
Measure adoption and business benefit
IT Operations and Employee Experience
Lead reliable and responsive IT services across CDP's UK and US operations
Oversee workplace technology, Microsoft 365, networks, endpoints, identity, access, cloud and infrastructure
Continue improving onboarding, support and the everyday technology experience for colleagues
Use service information and feedback to identify further opportunities for improvement
Maintain effective asset, licence, change, incident and problem management
Support the specialist technology needs of our scientists, designers and engineers
Cyber Security and Resilience
Own CDP's information security and technology risk framework
Lead cyber security priorities across identity, endpoints, cloud, networks, data and third-party systems
Maintain controls aligned with ISO ***** and CDP's wider quality environment
Work closely with Legal, Quality and client-facing teams on information security, privacy, intellectual property and client requirements
Maintain effective incident response, business continuity, backup and disaster recovery arrangements
Keep security proportionate, practical and embedded in the way we work
Leadership, Suppliers and Commercial Management
Lead and develop a small IT and systems team
Build a joined-up capability across IT operations, systems, data and digital change
Develop capability and resilience within the team
Manage technology suppliers, software contracts, licences and partners
Ensure we get strong commercial value from technology investment
Manage technology budgets and resources
Communicate clearly with technical and non-technical stakeholders across the business
Skills and Attributes
We are looking for someone with strong business judgement and a broad understanding of technology.
You will be comfortable moving between strategy, architecture, operations, suppliers, people and delivery.




You will be able to turn a broad agenda into a clear set of priorities and bring others with you as those priorities move into delivery.
You will also bring:
strong commercial and business judgement
the ability to simplify complexity and set clear priorities
credibility with senior leaders and colleagues across the business
a pragmatic approach to systems and architecture
strong change leadership and stakeholder management
sound judgement around cyber security and technology risk
practical understanding of data, automation and AI
a focus on adoption, outcomes and business value
the ability to lead and develop a small, capable team
Education and Experience
You are likely to have:
led both IT operations and enterprise business systems in a knowledge-intensive organisation
experience in professional services, consulting, engineering, product development or another project-based environment
led significant systems improvement or digital transformation
worked across several of CRM, ERP/finance, PSA/project management, HR systems, Microsoft 365, data/BI, workflow and integration
held senior accountability for cyber security, technology risk and business continuity
led and developed an internal technology team alongside external partners
managed software suppliers, contracts, licences and technology budgets
led organisational change through process redesign, implementation, communication, training and adoption
Experience of SAP Business ByDesign, HubSpot, Microsoft 365, SharePoint, Azure/Entra or PSA platforms would be useful, although delivery record and judgement matter more than direct experience of our current tech stack.
Experience supporting UK and US operations, ISO ***** or regulated product-development environments would also be valuable.
Cambridge Design Partnership (CDP) is an product development innovation partner, helping global brands and ambitious start-ups bring current products and services to market.
Our multidisciplinary teams combine science, design and engineering to solve complex problems across healthcare, life sciences and consumer markets.
We are 100% employee-owned, giving our people a direct stake in the long-term success of the business.
For the right person, this role offers the chance to shape an important part of CDP's next stage of development.
You will have the scope to influence our technology strategy, build stronger digital and systems capability, and help make CDP an even better place to work and deliver for clients.
As part of our benefits package, we offer:
flexible working, with a minimum of three days per week on site in Cambridge
a discretionary bonus
excellent learning and development opportunities
a 12% non-contributory pension
private healthcare
electric vehicle lease salary sacrifice scheme
share incentive plan
33 days holiday inclusive of bank holidays
Some travel to our Raleigh, North Carolina office may be required.
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📌 Head Of It And Systems (Hobart)
🏢 Cambridge Design Partnership
📍 Hobart