Director of Technology & Digital

We’re a values-driven, charitable organisation on a mission to make a real difference in Sunderland. Every day, we provide more than 60,000 people with a place they’re proud to call home.

Our vision is clear: everyone deserves a good-quality home they can afford. We invest millions of pounds each year to keep our homes safe and decent, while also playing a part in tackling the UK housing crisis by building hundreds of modern, energy-efficient homes for rent right here in Sunderland.

If you share our passion for creating thriving communities and want to be part of something that truly matters, we’d love for you to join us and help achieve our vision.

If you have any accessibility needs or require adjustments, please let us know—we’re here to support you.

We may close this vacancy earlier than the advertised closing date if we receive a large number of applications. We encourage you to apply as soon as possible to ensure your application is considered.

£128,000.00

Want to shape the future of Gentoo’s technology and make a real difference to colleagues and customers?

  

We’re looking for a Director of Technology & Digital to lead Gentoo’s technology and digital services, making sure our systems are secure, reliable and accessible, and ready to support great services today and in the years ahead.

 

You’ll be based at our head office in Doxford Park, Sunderland, reporting to our Executive Director of Technology & Transformation. You’ll lead our Technology and Digital Strategy and set the direction for our technology architecture and roadmap. Working closely with leaders across Gentoo, you’ll turn business priorities into practical improvements, helping every investment deliver value for money and better outcomes for our customers. You’ll be joining an organisation that’s proud to be Great Place to Work® certified and one of the UK’s Top 50 Best Workplaces™ 2026.

 

You’ll lead our Enterprise Architect, Head of IT Solutions and Head of ITSM & Infrastructure, bringing their teams together to strengthen our systems, data platforms, infrastructure and technology services. Cyber security and resilience will be at the heart of your approach. You’ll also explore how AI, automation and emerging technologies can help us work better, balancing the possibilities with a clear understanding of the risks.

 

As a member of our Senior Leadership Team, your contribution will reach beyond technology. You’ll bring your expertise and ideas to help shape change, improve services and support Gentoo’s future success. If you’re excited by the chance to put technology to work with a clear purpose and make a lasting difference, we’d love to hear from you.

 

A full UK driving licence and a basic DBS check (arranged and funded by Gentoo) are required for this position.

 

 

Please click HERE to view the full recruitment pack

 

 

What you will be doing:

 

Shape our technology future. Lead our Technology and Digital Strategy, architecture, integration strategy and multi-year roadmap, aligning investment with Gentoo’s Corporate Strategy and the changing needs of colleagues and customers.

 

Lead a team where people thrive. Build an inclusive, collaborative culture where colleagues feel trusted, valued and able to challenge. Develop our Technology leadership team, strengthen accountability and build future skills and capacity through development and succession planning.

 

Keep us ready for what’s next. Evolve our Technology operating model, governance and ways of working, and anticipate emerging opportunities and risks. Give our Executive Team, Senior Leadership Team, Board and Committees clear advice and assurance.

 

Make technology work better. Lead secure, reliable and scalable services across infrastructure, cloud, networks, applications and end-user technology. Ensure clear ownership throughout their lifecycle, simplify legacy systems and make sure new solutions integrate effectively.

 

 Turn change into better services. Partner with Transformation, PMO and service owners to design and deliver technology-led improvements that simplify processes, increase productivity and make a measurable difference to colleagues and customers.

 

Unlock the potential of data and AI. Strengthen the platforms, integrations and information architecture behind our data capability. Lead the responsible use of AI, automation and emerging technology, balancing measurable benefits with strong governance and security.

 

Protect our people and services. Lead cyber security strategy, controls and monitoring, actively manage and report technology risks, and maintain regularly tested business continuity, disaster recovery and cyber incident response plans with clear recovery requirements.

 

Deliver services people can rely on. Set clear service standards and performance measures for quality, resilience, customer experience and value for money, keeping business priorities and customer needs at the centre of delivery.

 

Make every investment count. Manage our Technology budget and investment portfolio, working with business leaders to prioritise demand and resources. Use robust business cases, delivery governance and post-implementation reviews to demonstrate value. Constructively challenge existing approaches where technology could improve outcomes.

 

Build partnerships that deliver. Lead technology procurement and manage suppliers, contracts and licences for performance, resilience, innovation and value. Follow Gentoo’s governance requirements, considering whole-life cost, strategic fit, integration and security, and draw on partners’ expertise to shape our future capability.

 

What you will bring:

 

Educated to degree level or able to demonstrate equivalent relevant senior-level experience.

 

A relevant professional qualification with a commitment to continuing professional development.

 

Significant senior leadership experience in technology, digital or IT within a large or complex organisation, with a track record of developing high-performing, multidisciplinary teams.

 

An inclusive, visible leadership style that builds trust and encourages collaboration and challenge. You’ll be a supportive coach who listens with empathy, sets clear expectations and helps people take ownership.

 

Experience of shaping and delivering enterprise technology strategies, architecture and multi-year roadmaps, connecting investment to organisational priorities, customer needs and long-term ambitions.

 

A strong understanding of cloud, enterprise applications, infrastructure, integration and digital services, with experience of simplifying complex or legacy technology and delivering major system implementations and technology-enabled change.

 

Strong experience of cyber security, technology risk, operational resilience and disaster recovery, with the judgement to balance security, innovation, affordability and delivery.

 

Experience of using data, AI, automation and emerging technology to strengthen organisational capability. You’ll bring curiosity and fresh ideas, with a practical understanding of the opportunities, risks and business benefits.

 

Strong financial and commercial experience, including procurement and supplier management, with a clear focus on improving performance and demonstrating value for money.

 

The ability to turn complex technology into clear business choices and customer outcomes, providing credible advice and assurance to Executive Teams, Boards and Committees.

 

The communication, influencing and negotiation skills to build strong partnerships across teams and organisational boundaries, working confidently with colleagues and stakeholders at all levels.

 

The ability to manage competing priorities and keep work moving through change, even when the way forward is not clear. You’ll bring a resilient, adaptable and delivery-focused approach, using sound judgement and taking clear accountability.

 

 

We welcome applications from candidates who share our ambition to make a difference through technology.

 

To apply, please upload your CV and a covering letter

 

Closing date:   1 December 2026.

 

Stage 1 interviews:   15 December 2026

 

  

For an informal and confidential conversation about the role, please contact:

 

No agencies, please. We work with recruitment suppliers through an established PSL and do not require additional support for this vacancy.

 

 

Paul Wright: Executive Director – Finance:  [email protected] 

 

Sam England: Director of People:  [email protected] 

 

 

 

 

 

Some of our great benefits include:

• 31 days annual leave (plus bank holidays) with an option to purchase up to 5 additional days per year.

• Early finish on Fridays

• Flexible and hybrid working.

• Free Health Cash Plan, with cashback for dental, optical, physio, wellbeing therapies and more, with some free child cover.

• Access to private healthcare through the Health Cash Plan.

• Competitive Aviva pension scheme - Gentoo will contribute up to 10% based on your personal contribution.

• Salary sacrifice electric vehicle scheme

• Enhanced family-friendly leave

• Car mileage allowance if you use your personal vehicle for business purposes.

• Life assurance cover to the value of 3 times your annual salary