Head of IT

About this role

About Us

Metropolitan Gaming is about more than the games or the buzz of the venue.

It’s about energy. Atmosphere. Service that’s sharp and in sync with the moment.

Driven by people, we’re a diverse, close-knit team who back each other, celebrate wins and create great experiences together. If you’re upbeat, curious and ready to get involved, you’ll feel at home here. Personality matters. Every shift is a chance to make your mark.

Why Join Us

A place to grow, not just a job. You’ll be recognised for great work and given opportunities to build your skills and grow your career

Alongside competitive pay, you can also

• Discounts and perks across travel, retail, hospitality and wellbeing
• Company pension scheme and life insurance cover
• Discount on Food and non-alcoholic beverages across all venues
• Season ticket loan and cycle to work scheme
• Refer a friend bonus reward

What We Are Looking For

The Head of IT is responsible for the strategic leadership, management, IT security, and operational performance of all technology systems across the head office and UK venues. This role ensures the availability, integrity, and security of gaming and non-gaming technology platforms and users while supporting business growth, regulatory compliance, exceptional user experience, and operational efficiency.

Main Responsibilities

IT Strategy and Business Alignment

• Develop, communicate, and execute Metropolitan Gaming's technology strategy, ensuring alignment with the organisation's commercial objectives, operational priorities, and growth plans.
• Partner with Executive Leadership and business stakeholders to identify opportunities where technology can improve customer experience, operational efficiency, revenue generation, and regulatory compliance. .

IT Governance, Budget Management, and Financial Control

• Develop and manage the annual IT operating and capital expenditure budgets, ensuring effective allocation of resources and alignment with business priorities.
• Monitor and control IT expenditure, identifying opportunities for cost optimisation while maintaining service quality and operational resilience.

IT Operations and Service Delivery

• Oversee all day-to-day IT operations across gaming venues, corporate offices, and remote locations.
• Ensure critical gaming systems operate within agreed operating levels, minimising downtime and business disruption.
• Establish and monitor service management processes, including Incident, Problem, Change, Configuration, and Asset Management.

Gaming Systems, Player Technology, and Business Applications

• Oversee the management and support of casino gaming systems, gaming management platforms, electronic gaming machines, and related operational technologies.
• Support the implementation and optimisation of data analytics platforms to provide actionable business intelligence and customer insights.

Cybersecurity, Risk Management, and Business Continuity

• Develop and maintain a comprehensive cybersecurity strategy that protects business operations, customer information, financial assets, and gaming systems.
• Lead cyber risk assessments, vulnerability management, penetration testing, and security awareness programmes.
• Maintain business continuity and disaster recovery plans.
• Present cyber risk assessments and mitigation strategies to executive leadership and governance committees.

Regulatory Compliance and Data Protection

• Ensure compliance with gaming industry regulations, licensing requirements, and technology controls across all jurisdictions.
• Maintain compliance with UK GDPR, Data Protection Act requirements, PCI-DSS, and other relevant regulatory frameworks.

Infrastructure, Cloud Services, Networks, and Telecommunications

• Lead the management of enterprise infrastructure, including servers, storage, virtualisation platforms, cloud services, and endpoint technologies.
• Oversee network architecture, performance, resilience, and security across all locations.
• Develop infrastructure standards and lifecycle management plans to ensure technology remains secure, supported, and fit for purpose.

Service Desk and End User Support

• Ensure delivery of high-quality Service Desk and End User Support services that meet agreed performance targets.
• Drive continual improvement of support processes, knowledge management, and self-service capabilities.
• Monitor customer satisfaction metrics and implement initiatives to improve user experience.
• Ensure effective onboarding, offboarding, device management, and workplace technology support.

Vendor and Supplier Management

• Establish and manage strategic relationships with technology vendors, suppliers, managed service providers, and gaming technology partners.
• Lead contract negotiations, renewals, and procurement activities to achieve commercial value and service excellence.

Project and Change Management

• Sponsor and govern technology projects and programmes, ensuring successful delivery within scope, budget, and timeline.
• Establish project governance frameworks and reporting mechanisms.
• Prioritise project portfolios based on business value, risk, and resource availability.
• Ensure benefits realisation is measured and reported following project completion.

Leadership, People Management, and Culture

• Lead, mentor, and develop IT managers and team members, fostering a culture of accountability, innovation, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
• Build strong relationships with business stakeholders and act as a trusted advisor on technology matters.

Reporting and Executive Stakeholder Management

• Produce regular executive reports covering operational performance, cybersecurity posture, project status, risk management, compliance, and financial performance.
• Present technology strategies, investment proposals, and operational updates to executive

Who You Are

• Bachelor's degree in IT, Computer Science, or related field.
• 8–10 years of progressive IT leadership experience.
• 3–5 years in a senior IT management role.
• Experience in regulated or 24/7 operational environments.
• Experience of working with outsource service providers.
• Will be required to either hold or apply to be a PML holder
• Collaborative, proactive, and customer-focused approach within a fast-paced environment
• Excellent organisational, problem-solving, analytical, and critical thinking skills with the ability to prioritise and meet deadlines

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