Head of Information Systems

HAVE YOU GOT SPIRIT?
 
In operation since 1985, Barrow Gas Terminal is a key piece of the UK’s energy infrastructure and supports the Morecambe Bay gas fields. The terminal has played a long‑standing role in processing and delivering natural gas, supporting both local employment and national energy supply.
 
With a focus on safety, environmental sustainability and community engagement, we believe in operational excellence at every stage of production. If you are ready to take the next step in your career with a dynamic and energetic team, then we are keen to hear from you.
 
 
THE OPPORTUNITY – HEAD OF INFORMATION SYSTEMS
 
The Head of Information Systems (IS) role is accountable for leading IS operations and support to efficiently and securely manage Applications, Infrastructure and Networks, supporting the company's business strategy and objectives.  Owns and manages the outsourced IS service delivery and contract management.
 
Location: Barrow-in-Furness
Duration: 2-year contract
Contract Type: PAYE
Day Rate: TBC - For your application to be progressed, please ensure you provide a PAYE day rate banding expectation.  Please note that there is no travel and accommodation allowance provided.
 

• Please only apply if you have existing right-to-work in the UK.
• Please outline notice period/availability to start.

 
Closing Date for Applications: 16th July 2026
 
Spirit Energy currently have a non-contractual hybrid working arrangement for all office-based workers. 4 days must be worked in the office with compulsory days being Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. The fourth day worked in-office (either Monday or Friday) is of the worker’s choosing but should be in keeping with what is most efficient and effective for their team. The office is open 5 days a week for full time, in-office working if this is the contractor’s preference.  
 
 
AND NOW FOR THE TECHNICAL BIT…
In role, you will be required to:
 

• Determine the IS strategy and strategic priorities and then driving and managing the IS operations team and outsourced service providers in the delivery.
• Ensure the IS operations service is a right-fit architecture for the business, ensuring end-to-end availability, reliability, security, integrity, performance, maintenance and support of the IS estate comprising infrastructure, networks & telephony, internal and cloud applications, end user computing and associated services.
• Ensure that policy and standards are in place to support the requirements of internal and external compliance while balancing them with the needs of the business.
• Proactively identify and manage IS related risk, particularly in respect to cyber security and resilience, ensuring compliance with legislative, internal and external standards. Determine / deliver suitable mitigations to maintain risk within an agreed appetite.
• Ensure effective disaster recovery and cyber incident management arrangements are in place and tested, in order to drive security and resilience.
• Champion cyber security awareness across the company to promote safe working practices to help safeguard the business and ensure suitable technical and process controls operate as designed.
• Ensure the seamless integration, performance and security of all IS Operational services, driving continuous improvement in system reliability, scalability, and innovation.
• Collaborate with other departments to align IT services with business needs, fostering a culture of excellence and ensuring compliance with industry standards and regulations.
• Take accountability for IS cost / investment and optimise spend through relentless focus and monitoring of scope, specification and price (in collaboration with the Supply Chain Management team), never losing sight of business value and maintaining a live view of forecast against plan.
• Strategically manage third party relationships with suppliers to maximise value and service delivery.
• Maintain awareness of regulatory, legislative and Shareholder requirements and ensure ongoing compliance.
• Architect the optimal portfolio of long term strategic and tactical programmes and projects to manage risk and drive value for the business, driving and ensuring execution within scope, time, budget and quality parameters in accordance with robust Business Cases.
• Remain informed on technology and industry trends for IS, proactively share knowledge of technology risks and opportunities and use insight to deliver value opportunities for the business.
• Build and maintain relationships within Centrica DTS and the wider industry to leverage two-way value.
• Lead the business through major IS change to ensure requirements are clear, impacts are understood and change is effectively managed and well received by stakeholders.
• Any other associated duties as reasonably required.

 
 
ABOUT YOU
To be successful in this role, we are looking for:
 

• Good overall understanding of end-to-end multi-site IS services, spanning infrastructure, networks & telephony, internal and cloud applications, end user computing and associated services – this includes specific services relevant to Spirit Energy including but not limited to SAP and MS365.
• Solid understanding of the IS lifecycle, encompassing strategy, road-mapping, architecture, design, transition, operations, support, continual service improvement and decommissioning.
• Solid understanding of key processes including incident, problem and change management as well as business analysis and PMO processes for project delivery.
• Strong appreciation for cyber security and the Cyber Assessment Framework, covering Managing Security Risk, Protecting against Cyber Attacks, Detecting Cyber Security Incidents and Minimising Impact of Security Incidents.
• Ability to execute long term strategic and tactical planning relating to IS  
• Effective contract management skills to maximise the value from third party agreements.
• Strong budget management skills, including bottom-up build and monitoring forecast against plan, intervening as necessary 
• Knowledge of risk management processes to identify and evaluate risk, define mitigations and provide reporting / assurance to stakeholders
• Master's Degree in an IT / business discipline (or equivalent experience) 

 
 
In addition to technical knowledge and credibility, we are looking for someone who lives our values - Agility, Collaboration, Courage, Care, and Delivery. A person who embraces and supports change, while ensuring the safe and efficient operation of a mature asset.  
 
 
 
 


People are our business worldwide
 
Orion Group was founded in 1987 and is now one of the largest, independent, international recruitment companies. We have a network of 200 employees working from 24 offices, delivering a range of services – Talent Acquisition, Recruitment Outsourcing Services, Retained Search, Global Workforce Solutions, Completions & Commissioning and Materials Management – across 68 countries. As a global leader in workforce solutions, we recruit personnel across the Engineering & Technical, Office & Commercial, Scientific and Skilled Trades disciplines, for sectors including Oil & Gas, Life Science, Power & Utilities, Constructions & Infrastructure, Manufacturing and Renewables.