UK

United Kingdom · Technology and data · C-Suite (20+ years)

VP of Global IT Operations

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  • Experience bandC-Suite (20+ years)
  • Direct reports25-100+ reports
  • Reports toChief Information Officer (CIO)
  • UK framework levelUsually a director, accountable for a division and its numbers

Also advertised as Chief Operations Technology Officer · Head of Enterprise IT Services · Global Director of IT Infrastructure & Support

Built on 43,079 real UK job descriptions we analysed · grounded in what real qualifications cover

Two short quizzes about you

1From this job to a course

The qualifications matched to this job

OTHM Level 5 Diploma in Project Management OTHM Qualifications · Level 5 · covers 1 of 6 standards
NOCN Level 5 Diploma in Computer Engineering (IT Infrastructure) NOCN · Level 5 · covers 1 of 6 standards
Highfield Level 5 Diploma in Operations Management Highfield Qualifications · Level 5 · covers 1 of 6 standards

Matched from the standards this job is measured against: a suggestion, not an official ruling.

The units you would start with

Managing and Improving Operations NOCN Level 7 Diploma in Strategic Leadership of Performance and Productivity
Digital Business Practices OTHM Level 5 Diploma in Project Management
Operations Management in a Workplace Setting NOCN Level 5 Diploma in Computer Engineering (Information Technology and Data Science)
Project Implementation Highfield Level 5 Diploma in Operations Management

The future skills this job leans on

AI Fluency working with AI as a thinking partner
Data Fluency turning numbers into a decision
AI Governance Fluency using AI responsibly
Frontier Fluency the next wave, beyond mainstream AI
Systems Fluency seeing the whole picture
Your Plan Illustration

Built for VP of Global IT Operations

4 units that map to this job, from the qualifications that cover it.

  1. Managing and Improving Operations NOCN · covers 1 of 6 standards Level 7
  2. Digital Business Practices OTHM Qualifications · covers 1 of 6 standards Level 5
  3. Operations Management in a Workplace Setting NOCN · covers 1 of 6 standards Level 5
  4. Project Implementation Highfield Qualifications · covers 1 of 6 standards Level 5
These are the real units behind this job, in the order they rank for it. Nothing here is marked done, because this plan has not been started by anyone yet. Yours would fill in as you go.

2AI and this work

Will AI change your work as a VP of Global IT Operations?

Nobody can say exactly how. Here is what this job is being asked for next, and where to start.

The new skills this role is being asked for

  • AI Governance & Ethical AI Operations
  • Quantum Computing Implications for IT Operations
Why each one is rising

The future skills this job leans on

We'll only ever tell you what we can actually back up. No hype, no scare tactics.

What happens when you start

Next, a free account. We build your VP of Global IT Operations plan as you set up, starting with the free Automation Fluency module. No card.

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3What this role really is

This job means running IT operations across a global organisation, keeping systems, networks and equipment working everywhere. If systems go down, the business stops, so the work is about preventing that and fixing problems fast when they happen. It covers everything from the helpdesk to the data centres, setting the direction for how IT operations run and grow.

4What you'd actually use

The tools this job runs on, and how well you'd need to know each one.

ServiceNow / Jira Service Management Strategic/Architect

Owns the enterprise ITSM platform strategy, evaluates and integrates new modules (e.g., GRC, SecOps), manages vendor relationships, and oversees enterprise-wide ITSM architecture and automation roadmap.

LogMeIn Rescue / GoTo Resolve Strategic/Architect

Evaluates, selects, and negotiates contracts for the enterprise remote support toolset. Sets global security policies and access controls for the entire support organisation, ensuring compliance and efficiency.

Notion / Guru (Knowledge Management) Strategic/Architect

Designs the entire knowledge management strategy across IT operations. Implements AI-powered search tools, defines content lifecycle, and champions knowledge-sharing culture across all IT teams globally.

Kandji / Workspace ONE (MDM/UEM) Strategic/Architect

Develops the enterprise endpoint management and MDM strategy. Makes platform decisions, ensures integration with other critical systems like Azure AD and security tools, and oversees global device policy.

SailPoint / CyberArk (IAM/PAM) Strategic/Architect

Architects the enterprise Identity and Access Management (IAM) and Privileged Access Management (PAM) strategy. Ensures compliance with regulations like SOX and GDPR, and drives automation in access provisioning.

MS Teams / Slack (Enterprise Collaboration) Strategic/Architect

Governs the enterprise collaboration platform, setting policies for data retention, external access, and application integration. Drives adoption of best practices and ensures the platform supports global productivity and communication.

5What you get to decide, and how that grows

Power in a job isn't your title. It's what you're allowed to decide. Here's how it grows as you move up.

The choiceComing in Where you are nowThe step above
Annual IT Operations Budget Allocation N/A N/A N/A
Major Vendor Selection & Contract Negotiation N/A N/A N/A
Organisational Design & Leadership Hiring N/A N/A N/A
Response to Enterprise-Wide Critical Incident N/A N/A N/A

6How you'll be judged

The scoreboard, and what is not on it. The hard targets, how often each is actually looked at, and the quiet signals that never reach a dashboard.

Operational Uptime & Availability
Overall system and service availability across all critical business applications and infrastructure.
Target · >99.99% for critical systems, >99.9% for all others.

Achieving 99.995% uptime for our core ERP system in Q2, meaning less than 2.5 minutes of unplanned downtime for the entire quarter. This directly translates to uninterrupted business activity and revenue generation.

IT Operations Budget Adherence & Optimisation
Managing the annual IT operations budget, including infrastructure, software, and personnel, while actively seeking cost efficiencies.
Target · Within ±2% of approved budget, with a 5-10% year-on-year cost reduction through strategic initiatives (e.g., cloud optimisation, automation).

Reducing cloud infrastructure spend by £1.5M in the last financial year through workload optimisation and vendor renegotiations, while still improving service levels. This directly boosts our bottom line.

Mean Time To Recover (MTTR) for Major Incidents
The average time it takes to restore service after a major outage or critical incident.
Target · <30 minutes for P1 incidents, <2 hours for P2 incidents (globally).

Bringing our global MTTR for critical P1 incidents down from 45 minutes to 28 minutes over 12 months, showcasing significant improvements in incident response and recovery processes. This minimises business disruption.

Cybersecurity Posture & Compliance Score
The overall effectiveness of our cybersecurity defences and adherence to regulatory compliance frameworks (e.g., GDPR, ISO 27001).
Target · Maintain a 'Strong' or 'Excellent' rating in external security audits; zero critical compliance breaches.

Successfully passing the annual ISO 27001 audit with zero non-conformities, demonstrating a robust and compliant security operations framework. This protects our data and reputation.

Strategic Influence & Board Confidence
Being seen as a trusted advisor to the CIO, CEO, and Board on all matters relating to IT operations strategy, risk, and investment.
  • Regularly invited to contribute to executive strategy sessions
  • Board members proactively seek your input on critical technology decisions
  • your recommendations are consistently adopted and funded
  • you're the first call when a major operational challenge arises.
Talent Development & Organisational Health
Building and retaining a high-performing, globally distributed IT operations team, fostering a culture of continuous improvement and innovation.
  • High retention rates (above industry average) for key technical talent
  • internal promotion of at least 2 Directors annually
  • positive feedback in employee engagement surveys regarding team leadership and career development opportunities
  • a clear succession plan for all critical leadership roles within your organisation.
Vendor & Partner Ecosystem Management
Developing and maintaining strategic relationships with key technology vendors and managed service providers, ensuring they deliver maximum value and innovation.
  • Successful renegotiation of major vendor contracts leading to improved service and/or reduced costs
  • vendors actively seek your input on their product roadmaps
  • strong, collaborative relationships that result in joint innovation initiatives
  • positive feedback from internal teams on vendor performance and responsiveness.

7Would you like it

Both sides. What people enjoy, and what grinds them down.

What people enjoy
Shaping the Future of Enterprise Technology

You're excited by board-level discussions about digital transformation, constantly thinking about how new tech like quantum computing or advanced AI will impact our infrastructure, and actively driving initiatives to get us there. You're not just managing; you're building the future.

Leading the multi-year programme to migrate all on-premise data centres to a hybrid cloud model, fundamentally changing how we operate and enabling new business capabilities.

Making a Global, Tangible Impact

The idea of ensuring millions of transactions happen smoothly, or that thousands of employees across different continents can work without interruption, genuinely excites you. You thrive on the scale and complexity of global operations and the direct impact your decisions have on the entire business.

Implementing a new global network architecture that reduces latency for all international offices by 30%, directly improving productivity for thousands of staff.

Solving Organisational & Technical Puzzles

You love dissecting complex problems that involve people, processes, and technology – figuring out why a critical system failed, how to optimise a global team's workflow, or how to integrate a newly acquired company's IT. These aren't just tasks; they're fascinating challenges.

Architecting the IT operations integration plan for a £50M acquisition, ensuring seamless transition and minimal disruption to business services.

What frustrates people
  • Battling for budget with other departments, even for critical infrastructure investments.
  • The 'not invented here' syndrome from regional IT teams when trying to standardise global processes.
  • Dealing with legacy systems that are business-critical but incredibly difficult to maintain or replace.
  • The constant pressure to do more with less, especially when global incidents demand immediate, costly responses.
  • Navigating complex regulatory landscapes across different countries, which often conflict.
What this role does not give you
  • A quiet, predictable 9-to-5 schedule – global operations mean 24/7 accountability.
  • The luxury of focusing solely on technical problems; a huge part of this is people and politics.
  • A short path to seeing the fruits of your labour; strategic initiatives often take years to fully mature.
  • Complete control over all variables; you'll always be dependent on external vendors and internal partners.

8Who you work with

This role directly impacts the operational efficiency, security posture, and overall resilience of the entire organisation. You're responsible for the technology that keeps the business running – from email to complex enterprise applications. Get it right, and we grow faster, serve customers better, and keep our competitive edge. Get it wrong, and we face significant financial losses, reputational damage, and regulatory penalties. It's a high-stakes game, honestly.

Inside the business
  • Chief Information Officer (CIO)
  • Chief Financial Officer (CFO)
  • Chief Technology Officer (CTO)
  • Chief Product Officer (CPO)
  • Regional Business Unit Heads
  • Head of Human Resources
Outside the business
  • Key Technology Vendors (e.g., Microsoft, AWS, ServiceNow)
  • Managed Service Providers (MSPs)
  • Industry Regulators and Auditors
  • Potential M&A targets (for due diligence)

9What you need before you start

Not a wish list. The things you would be expected to already have.

  • A proven track record of 15+ years in senior IT leadership roles, with at least 5 years managing a global IT operations function (Director level or above) with significant P&L responsibility.
  • Demonstrable experience leading large-scale IT transformation programmes (e.g., cloud adoption, major system implementations) from strategy to execution.
  • A deep understanding of enterprise architecture, cybersecurity principles, and IT service management best practices (ITIL Expert certification or equivalent practical experience is highly valued).
  • Exceptional executive presence, communication, and influencing skills, with a history of presenting effectively to Boards and C-suite executives.
  • Experience managing complex vendor relationships and negotiating multi-million pound contracts with major technology providers.

10What to practise next

Where the job is going, and what to do about it starting this week.

Advanced Cloud FinOps & Cost Governance

Cloud spend is one of the biggest line items in IT operations budgets. Simply migrating to the cloud isn't enough; you need to master financial operations (FinOps) to continuously optimise costs, ensure accountability, and drive maximum value from our cloud investments. This is a continuous battle, not a one-off project.

Cloud Cost Optimisation Strategies · Cloud Financial Planning & Forecasting · FinOps Culture & Governance · Cloud Vendor Management for Cost

  • This quarter: Review our current cloud spend data with the FinOps team, identifying the top 5 areas for immediate optimisation.
  • Next 6 months: Implement a new cloud cost governance framework, including clear ownership for cloud spend within each business unit.
  • Next 12 months: Drive a significant cost reduction initiative (e.g., 10-15%) across our major cloud platforms.
  • Ongoing: Stay current with new cloud services and pricing models to continuously seek optimisation opportunities.

Quick win: Mandate the use of cost-tagging for all new cloud resources. It's a small step, but it makes accountability much clearer from day one.

Cyber Resilience & Zero Trust Architecture

Traditional perimeter-based security is dead. With hybrid work, cloud adoption, and sophisticated threats, a 'never trust, always verify' (Zero Trust) approach is essential. Your role will be to drive the strategic shift towards building truly resilient systems that can withstand and rapidly recover from cyberattacks, not just prevent them.

Zero Trust Principles & Implementation · Cyber Incident Simulation & Tabletop Exercises · Automated Security Operations (SecOps) · Supply Chain Security

  • This quarter: Commission an external assessment of our current Zero Trust maturity level.
  • Next 6 months: Develop a multi-year roadmap for Zero Trust implementation, prioritising critical assets.
  • Next 12 months: Conduct a full-scale cyber incident tabletop exercise with the Executive Committee and Board.
  • Ongoing: Invest in training for your SecOps teams on advanced threat detection and response techniques.

Quick win: Start by implementing multi-factor authentication (MFA) everywhere, for everyone, if you haven't already. It's a foundational Zero Trust component.

11Staying current once you are in

What people here do to keep up
  • Regular attendance at executive-level industry conferences (e.g., Gartner Symposium, AWS re:Invent, Microsoft Ignite) to stay abreast of market trends and network with peers.
  • Participation in executive leadership programmes at top-tier business schools (e.g., London Business School, INSEAD) focusing on global leadership, digital transformation, or strategic management.
  • Mentoring emerging leaders within the organisation and actively seeking mentorship from C-suite peers or external advisors.
  • Publishing thought leadership articles or speaking at industry events to establish yourself as a recognised expert and enhance our company's brand.

12The rising capability

The rising capability

Zavmo analysis

What's rising in its place

This is where the work is heading, and the higher pay with it. Get fluent here and the shift stops being a threat and starts being your edge.

AI Governance & Ethical AI Operations

As AI becomes embedded in everything from helpdesk chatbots to predictive maintenance systems, ensuring it's used responsibly, ethically, and compliantly is paramount. The regulatory landscape is still forming, but the ethical considerations are already here. Ignoring this is a massive risk.

  • AI Risk Frameworks
  • Data Bias & Fairness
  • Transparency & Explainability (XAI)
  • AI Regulatory Compliance

Quantum Computing Implications for IT Operations

While mainstream quantum computing is still a few years off, its potential to break current encryption standards and revolutionise data processing means you need to start thinking about its operational impact now. Proactive planning is key to avoiding a massive security and infrastructure headache down the line.

  • Post-Quantum Cryptography (PQC)
  • Quantum-Safe Architectures
  • Quantum Sensor & Networking Impact
  • Quantum Computing as a Service (QCaaS)

13What you’ll use

What you’ll use

Skills this role draws on

Technical

  • IT Governance & Compliance (ITGC)
  • Enterprise Architecture & Cloud Strategy
  • Cybersecurity Operations & Threat Intelligence
  • Vendor Management & Contract Negotiation

14The pathway

The pathway

How you actually get there, here

How you become one varies far more by country than what one does. This is the UK route. Most people take one of these ways in; the right one depends on where you're starting from.

  1. 1

    Director of Global IT Support / Service Delivery

    5-8 years at Director level

    Skills to master

    • Mastering global service delivery, SLA management at scale, building high-performing support organisations, and driving significant customer satisfaction improvements. You'd need to show you can run a large, complex operational unit.

    You're ready to move on when

    • Consistently exceeding global service delivery KPIs and SLAs.
    • Successful implementation of major service improvement programmes (e.g., AI in helpdesk, self-service portals).
    • Proven ability to lead and develop a large, geographically dispersed team of 50+ individuals.
    • Strong relationships with key business unit leaders, demonstrating influence beyond your direct remit.
  2. 2

    Director of Infrastructure & Cloud Operations

    5-8 years at Director level

    Skills to master

    • Deep expertise in enterprise infrastructure (on-premise and cloud), driving large-scale cloud migrations, managing complex network architectures, and ensuring robust cybersecurity infrastructure. This path is about technical depth at scale.

    You're ready to move on when

    • Successful execution of multi-million pound infrastructure projects (e.g., data centre consolidation, major cloud migration).
    • Demonstrable improvements in system uptime, performance, and resilience across the enterprise.
    • Expertise in cloud cost optimisation and FinOps principles.
    • Strong command of cybersecurity infrastructure and incident response mechanisms.

15Where this role leads

The long view: This role can lead towards chief executive positions, board level roles such as non-executive director, or work as an industry consultant advising other organisations on IT operations.

The ten Future Fluencies

Zavmo analysis

The credential is what you can do today. These are what keep you valuable.

A qualification proves you can do the job as it's defined today. These ten are what decide whether you're still the obvious person for it in five years. They're the capabilities employers are now writing into senior roles faster than people are learning them. Zavmo weaves them through whatever you study, so you come out with both: the credential and the fluency.

The highlighted ones are the Fluencies your role leans on hardest, from how VP of Global IT Operations is actually changing.

Where it leads

Roles this leads to

How you would learn this

One to one, on the work you already do

A tutor sets the task against your own job and marks the reasoning, at your pace. There is no cohort to fall behind.

A lesson from Managing and Improving Operations, worked against VP of Global IT Operations.

Managing and Improving Operations Level 7

Applied to your work in VP of Global IT Operations

This unit aims to provide learners with knowledge of the procedures involved in analysing process operations and evaluating them to identify areas for performance improvement. Learners will understand the impact of measuring Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) and how they contribute to overall performance enhancement.

How the thinking builds
  1. 1 Remember
  2. 2 Understand
  3. 3 Apply
  4. 4 Analyse
  5. 5 Evaluate
  6. 6 Create
An illustration of a Zavmo lesson, built from this role’s own route. The unit, its objective and every criterion above are the awarding body’s own words, not an example.

It is £70 a month, billed monthly. Your free first module is Future Fluency, and you can cancel any time.

See Your Progress Grow Illustration
VP of Global IT Operations
  • IT Governance & Compliance (ITGC)
  • Enterprise Architecture & Cloud Strategy
  • Cybersecurity Operations & Threat Intelligence
  • Vendor Management & Contract Negotiation
This is your Mind Palace on learn.zavmo.ai. Every skill above comes from this role's own record, not an example borrowed from another job. A node lights up when you evidence it, and what you build stays yours between jobs. That is the part a course cannot do.

16The detail, folded away

Everything else the record holds

The career branches in full, how AI is already showing up in the day-to-day, and the questions people ask about this job. Here when you want them, out of the way while you decide.

Where it leads next, rung by rung

Where it leads

The career path, and where it branches

VP of Global IT Operations is a start, not a ceiling. Each step below asks for new skills and hands back more autonomy.

  1. Chief Information Officer (CIO)

    3-5 years as VP of Global IT Operations

    From C-suite functional lead to overall C-suite technology leader.

    • Strategic Partnership with Business Units Acting as a strategic partner to all business unit leaders, understanding their needs and aligning technology to their goals.
    • Data & Analytics Strategy Overseeing the company's entire data strategy, from governance to advanced analytics and AI.
    • Software Development & Product Management Oversight Providing strategic direction for internal software development and product teams.
    • M&A Due Diligence & Integration (Full Scope) Leading the technology due diligence and integration for all M&A activities.

  2. Chief Operating Officer (COO)

    5-7 years as VP of Global IT Operations (often requires cross-functional experience)

    From C-suite technology leader to overall C-suite operational leader.

    • Lean/Six Sigma Methodologies (Enterprise-wide) Applying operational excellence frameworks across the entire business.
    • Workforce Planning & Optimisation Strategic planning for the entire operational workforce.
    • Physical Security & Facilities Management Oversight of physical assets and security.
    • Customer Experience Strategy (Operational) Driving customer experience improvements through operational excellence.
Working with AI on the job

Working with AI

Where AI is starting to help

Let's be real, at the C-suite level, your time is gold. You're not just doing tasks; you're shaping strategy, managing risk, and communicating vision. AI isn't here to replace you, but to give you superpowers, freeing you up from the mundane and amplifying your strategic impact.

Imagine having a personal, always-on strategic analyst, risk assessor, and communications guru. That's what AI can be for a VP of Global IT Operations. It's about getting to insights faster, anticipating problems before they hit, and crafting compelling narratives for the Board, all while reclaiming precious hours in your week.

Strategic Operations Analysis

AI can chew through terabytes of operational data (ticket volumes, system logs, performance metrics) to identify subtle trends, predict potential outages, and pinpoint areas for efficiency gains. It'll give you executive summaries and actionable recommendations in minutes, not days. Think about the time saved on quarterly reviews.

Proactive Risk & Compliance Assessment

Feed AI all your global regulatory requirements, internal policies, and security audit reports. It can then continuously monitor our systems and processes, flagging potential compliance gaps or emerging security vulnerabilities before they become a problem. It's like having an army of auditors working 24/7.

Executive Communication & Reporting

Drafting board papers, executive summaries, and strategic presentations takes ages. AI can help you distil complex operational data into clear, concise, and persuasive language. It can even generate initial drafts of crisis communications or investor updates, ensuring consistency and accuracy, leaving you to refine the message.

Vendor Performance & Contract Optimisation

AI can analyse vast amounts of vendor performance data, service level agreements (SLAs), and market benchmarks. It'll highlight underperforming vendors, identify opportunities for renegotiation, and even suggest optimal contract terms. This means better deals and better service, without you sifting through endless spreadsheets.

Common questions

Common questions

How do you become a VP of Global IT Operations?

Common routes in include Director of Global IT Support / Service Delivery (5-8 years at Director level) and Director of Infrastructure & Cloud Operations (5-8 years at Director level). Times vary with prior experience.

Where can a VP of Global IT Operations progress to?

This role can lead on to Chief Information Officer (CIO) (3-5 years as VP of Global IT Operations) and Chief Operating Officer (COO) (5-7 years as VP of Global IT Operations (often requires cross-functional experience)), depending on the skills you build.

What new skills matter most for a VP of Global IT Operations?

Increasingly, AI Governance & Ethical AI Operations and Quantum Computing Implications for IT Operations. These are the skills our record of this role lists as growing.

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17Where to go from here

Other roles at Level 7

Same depth of qualification, different job. Useful if the work appeals but this particular role does not.

 More jobs in technology and data

Stay in the field you know and move sideways rather than up.
If you leave this industry

Experience running global IT operations transfers across most industries that depend on complex technology, including finance, healthcare, manufacturing and government. The core challenges of resilience, security and efficiency stay the same wherever you work.

This role profile is © 2026 Growth Engineering Technologies Ltd. Built from UK occupational standards and regulated qualification data, and written for Zavmo.

You're not behind. You're right on time. The shift is only just beginning. Your role won't look the same in two years. Be the one who leads the change, not the one it happens to. Start my free Automation Fluency module What happens next: a free account, then we build your plan as you set up. No card. Build your plan, see your roadmap and meet the twelve tutors matched to you. All free. When you're ready to start learning, it's £70 a month, billed monthly. Cancel any time and billing stops.