General Manager Data, IT & Systems

Position: General Manager – Data, IT & Systems

Reporting to: Commercial & Digital Director

Confidentiality: Open.

Ford & Stanley Executive Search (Part of the Ford & Stanley Talent Services Group) are a leading Executive search and talent advisory firm specialising in the following sectors:

Rail & Transportation
Civils & Construction
Manufacturing & Supply Chain
Technology & Cyber Security
Logistics & Intermodal Freight
Defence
Our search directors, search consultants and in house research team specialise in retained opportunities at the highest level of organisational leadership and management.

Our success is based upon a blend of trust-driven relationships, robust market knowledge, and working practices that ensure the best possible alignment of organisational need with experience and personal ambition.

Working with business leaders on bespoke assignments for over a decade, we understand exactly what our customers expect from an executive search and talent advisory service – whether there is a pressing business need for an executive interim or that of a long-term permanent appointment - Ford & Stanley Executive Search provide the solution.

We have been exclusively appointed by Southeastern on a retained search for a General Manager – Data, IT & Systems.

Below you will find a ‘Candidate Opportunity Brief’ developed from notes taken during the scoping meeting (Situational Discovery) held between the Research Manager of Executive Search & Senior Research Associate and the Commercial & Digital Director and HRBP of our client.

This brief is designed to give candidates a deeper insight into the opportunity inherent within the role, the challenges the role presents, and provide access to the detail that sits behind the job specification.

Client Opportunity Statements:

"This is an opportunity to lead our Data, IT and Systems function at a time when technology and insight are playing an increasingly important role in shaping the future of rail.

You'll be responsible for ensuring our IT services, operational systems and data capabilities are secure, resilient and fit for the demands of a 24/7 railway. Beyond keeping the business running, you'll also set the strategic direction for how technology and data can improve performance, support decision-making and deliver long-term transformation.

Working closely with the Commercial & Digital Director, Executive team and Great British Railways, you'll help influence the industry-wide technology and data initiatives while ensuring we remain at the forefront of digital innovation.

This role would suit a leader who can balance operational excellence with forward-thinking change, someone who can set a clear vision, simplify complexity and bring people with them on the journey.”

Challenges expected within the first 12 months include:

Building a strong external and internal presence within the rail industry by developing meaningful relationships with customers, industry partners, and stakeholders, leveraging these networks to gain insight into emerging challenges, opportunities and best practice.
Developing a thorough understanding of the complexed political and regulatory environment within the rail sector, effectively navigating stakeholder interests and industry dynamics to support business objectives.
Balancing strategic transformation with operational excellence, ensuring appropriate oversight of critical commercial contracts, cyber security, mitigating risks associated with technology and systems failure, and maintaining a clear focus on the day-to-day operational needs of the business
Key deliverables within the first 12 months include:

Established credibility and engagement across the function, securing the confidence and support of key stakeholders and team members, taking them on a digital transformation journey.
Defined and started to implement the strategic vision for the Data, IT and Systems function, with measurable progress demonstrated through the successful delivery of key initiatives and tangible business outcomes.
Essential Hard Skills (Skills & Experience)

Relevant experience or qualifications within IT, Data, Computer Science or a related field

Experience of being a strategic business partner to Executives and Senior external stakeholders

Varied industry experience, to bring a different view and understanding to the role and business

A visionary leader, with demonstratable experience of elevating and taking a team and wider company on a journey of change

Experienced of leading a large-scale business through digital adoption and transformation

Experienced in value-driven pricing.

A strong understanding of cyber and technology, with experience in one or more of - Azure, Power BI, AWS, Prince 2, Agile PM Scrum, TOGAF, DAMA CDMP, ISO (phone number removed), CISM/CISSP

A natural data storyteller, ability to share clear insight at all levels and take a compelling strategy to market  

Confident negotiating and managing complex technology supplier relationships 

Desirable: Rail industry experience

Essential Soft Skills (Attributes & Behaviours)

Strong stakeholder management experience able to build relationships across the whole of the business. 

Ambitious, able to operate effectively in a fast-paced environment where things have not been done before.

Empowering with a proven ability to delegate and motivate a workforce.

An agile leader, with a strategic mindset who has the ability to think outside the box  

Ability to challenge and push back when required  

Working Arrangements & Location:

Candidates will be based out of our clients HQ in London (3 days in the office) and will also be required to be external facing and visible across the network to get a good understanding of areas of improvement through the customers' eyes

Ford & Stanley Executive Search Pre-Submission Process:

First Engagement: A short engagement and introductory conversation to position the opportunity, gauge candidate early interest level and arrange a time and date for a more detailed discussion. NDA sent (if applicable) upon receipt of signed NDA - Candidate Opportunity Brief shared.
Candidate Discovery: An open, conversational and consultative discussion where candidates and executive search consultant explore and discuss the opportunity brief. Candidates are assessed on their suitability for the role in the context of the key essentials and challenged on how the opportunity lines up with their career aspirations, motivations, financial expectations and personal circumstance. The search consultant will utilise the information captured during candidate discovery to start to build your profile on suitability. Recommendations may be made at this point for adjustments or updates to your CV.
The ‘shortlist’: Shortlisted candidates, having taken time to reflect on the opportunity and undertake subsequent research on the clients business are reengaged where they are asked to provide additional specific information on their suitability (if/where applicable). Final checks of key notes, package details and logistical alignments made. Finishing touches are then made to your profile prior to submission along with our notes and recommendations.
Clients Interview Process:

1st Stage interview:Face-to-face interview - 1 hour 30 minutes interview, this will be a competency-based interview with a presentation required.
2nd Stage Interview: Face-to-face interview with the Commercial & Digital Director, DfTO CDIO and further members of the senior leadership team
3rd Stage interview: TBC
Good to know:

This is a brand-new business critical role for our client as they look to define their, Data, IT and Systems strategy and shape how they power the future of rail
The headcount of our client is circa 7,000 employees with a turnover of £1 billion
The role reports directly into the Commercial and Digital Director, with a Head of Data and a Head of IT reporting into the General Manager. The Head of Data has 6 direct reports and The Head of IT has 30 direct reports. There is also a cyber security manager that reports into the GM and they will also have accountability over the engineering systems team
This role required someone with a service centric approach, understanding that technology is designed with the customer in mind. A "Thinking local, acting global" mindset
The General Manager will be required to be highly efficient, looking at operating models and how they can make them better, this role is ideal for a real 'change agent'
There is a highly commercial element of this role, this individual will be required to manage complexed technology supplier relationships.
You’ll provide senior leadership across IT services, specialist railway systems and data & analytics, ensuring our technology estate is available, resilient, secure and aligned to the future state of rail.
You’ll shape and deliver the strategy for how we manage information, systems and insight across a 24/7 operational environment, turning complex operational and commercial data into clear, actionable intelligence that informs decision‑making at every level
Working closely with the Commercial & Digital Director, Executive colleagues, and Great British Railways, you’ll help define industry data standards, influence national programmes, and ensure our client plays a leading role in how data and technology integrate into rail.
This is a role for someone who can set vision, prioritise ruthlessly, and lead with clarity, balancing operational resilience with innovation, and day‑to‑day delivery with long‑term transformation
Budget & Supporting benefits:

Competitive, please reach out to Emma directly for full salary and benefits.

Executive Search Delivery Team:

Tom Norton – Head of Executive Search: Client & Opportunity Management, Client Advisory, Recommendations & Offer Negotiation.
Emma Barlow – Senior Research Associate: Longlisting, Networking, Research & Search, Interviews, Data & Market Intel & shortlist presentation.
Tilia Kozluk - Executive Assistant:Diary Management, Interview Coordination & Candidate Experience.
About Ford & Stanley Executive Search:

Please see the supporting appendix: Executive Search Candidate Journey

Ford & Stanley Talent Services Group Ltd is a Disability Confident employer that is committed to a policy of equal opportunities for all opportunity seekers. We shall adhere to such a policy at all times and will review on an ongoing basis all aspects of recruitment to avoid unlawful or undesirable discrimination. We will treat everyone equally irrespective of sex, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, marital or civil partnership status, age, disability, colour, race, nationality, ethnic or national origin, religion or belief or political beliefs, and we place an obligation upon all staff to respect and act in accordance with the policy.

Services advertised by Ford & Stanley Executive Search are those of an executive search and talent advisory business