Head of Technology

Role: Head of Technology

Location: London,United Kingdom

Hours: Full-time (37.5hrs)

Contract: Permanent

Salary: £75,000 p.a.

At Avado, we believe all transformation starts with people. As a Platinum provider of CIPD training, we empower HR and L&D professionals to build the skills, mindsets, and capabilities needed for the future of work. In a world reshaped by AI and rapid change, we're committed to developing future-ready people professionals through high-impact, accredited learning experiences. Our programmes combine practical application, collaborative learning, and award-winning design to ensure our learners – and their organisations – can thrive and grow.

Our connected learning approach blends deep expertise, innovative technology, and a strong community of support. From early-career learners to experienced practitioners, we deliver real, measurable change that supports individual growth and business transformation.

Avado is part of the Blenheim Chalcot portfolio – the UK's leading digital venture builder – giving us access to a powerful network of innovation, investment, and expertise.

We're looking for a hands-on technical leader who can both define technology strategy and roll up their sleeves to execute it. This is a pivotal leadership role where you'll shape Avado's digital learning ecosystem, drive AI-powered innovation, and ensure our platforms remain secure, scalable, and fit for the future.

As Head of Technology, you'll work directly with our CEO and leadership team to define and deliver Avado's technology roadmap. You'll be the technical advisor the business turns to for strategic decisions on AI capabilities, platform architecture, and digital transformation. And you'll lead by example – writing code, architecting integrations, and debugging production issues alongside your team.

This is a role for a builder. We're a company of 48 people, which means you'll touch every part of the business – from learning design to sales to operations. You'll own the evolution of our learning technology platforms, lead our AI-first approach to product innovation and operations, and ensure our systems deliver reliable, high-quality experiences for learners, clients, and internal teams.

You'll lead and develop a team of 5 across infrastructure, support, and platform engineering – building a culture where technical excellence meets pragmatic delivery, and where everyone from graduate to senior engineer can grow and contribute.

• Own Avado's AI-first strategy across learning delivery, operations, and product innovation – from AI-powered learner support and automated marking to intelligent content delivery and process automation.
• Identify, evaluate, and implement AI-driven solutions that deliver measurable impact on learner outcomes, operational efficiency, and commercial performance.
• Advise the CEO and leadership team on emerging AI capabilities, technology trends, and how to leverage them strategically.
• Build and maintain AI infrastructure, tools, and workflows that enable rapid experimentation and deployment.

• Define and execute the technology roadmap in partnership with the CEO and leadership team, ensuring alignment with Avado's strategic and operational goals.
• Own the evolution of Avado's learning technology ecosystem – ensuring platforms are secure, scalable, performant, and continually improving.
• Partner with product, learning design, and programme teams to deliver platform enhancements that elevate learner experience and operational efficiency.
• Identify and implement improvements to performance, security, and user experience across all digital learning systems.

• Roll up your sleeves: write code, architect integrations, debug production issues, and deliver technical solutions across cloud platforms, SaaS tools, APIs, and data flows.
• Build and maintain critical infrastructure, automation, and integrations that power the business.
• Drive operational reliability – ensuring robust IT operations, effective incident management, and rapid issue resolution.
• Translate strategic requirements into practical, secure, scalable technical solutions.

• Act as Avado's HubSpot technical owner – overseeing data architecture, workflows, automation, and integrations with internal systems and learning platforms.
• Ensure HubSpot serves as an accurate, unified source of truth across marketing, sales, operations, and learner delivery.
• Build and maintain scalable automations that support the entire learner lifecycle and internal operational processes.

• Oversee cloud environments (AWS preferred) – ensuring scalability, resilience, security, and cost-effectiveness.
• Ensure infrastructure and platforms operate reliably and efficiently, aligned with business needs.
• Maintain and improve Business Continuity and Disaster Recovery procedures.
• Identify opportunities to modernise, streamline, and optimise infrastructure and platform services.

• Ensure strong security practices across all systems, platforms, and processes.
• Lead ISO 27001 compliance activities – including audits, documentation, risk assessments, and ongoing controls.
• Promote ITIL-aligned approaches to incident, change, and problem management.
• Own the implementation and ongoing governance of Avado's cybersecurity policies and standards.

• Lead, mentor, and develop a team of 5 across infrastructure, support, and platform engineering.
• Build a high-performing, service-focused culture built on technical excellence, collaboration, accountability, and continuous improvement.
• Support team growth through hiring, capability-building, performance management, and career development aligned with evolving business needs.
• Foster a builder mindset – where everyone on the team takes ownership, ships quality work, and learns continuously.

• In a business of fewer than 50 people, you'll work directly with every function – from learning design to sales to operations – building relationships, understanding needs, and delivering solutions that enable the business to perform.
• Clarify requirements, communicate progress, and ensure alignment across stakeholders.
• Support project governance – ensuring risks, dependencies, and milestones are appropriately managed.
• Contribute to technology budget planning and cost management to ensure responsible use of resources.
• Participate in Avado's ISMS committee, supporting the maintenance of our externally accredited quality management system.

• Proven track record as a hands-on technical leader – someone who can define strategy and execute it, writing code and architecting solutions alongside their team.
• Strong technical depth across cloud technologies (AWS preferred), infrastructure, SaaS platforms, APIs, and modern integration patterns.
• Hands-on experience administering or owning HubSpot – including workflows, automation, data architecture, and integrations.
• Experience working with or evolving a learning technology platform, LMS, or similar digital learning ecosystem.
• Experience leading and developing small, multidisciplinary technical teams – building capability, managing performance, and fostering a high-performing culture.
• Ability to engage confidently with senior leaders and the CEO – translating business requirements into clear technical solutions and advising on technology strategy.
• Strong operational mindset – driving reliability, security, and effective incident and change management.
• Collaborative and personable – able to build relationships, communicate technical concepts clearly, and work effectively across all parts of a small, fast-moving business.
• Experience with security, governance, or compliance frameworks such as ISO 27001.

• Experience implementing or leading AI-driven innovation in a product, operations, or learning context.
• Experience supporting technology operations across multiple regions or business units.
• Certifications: ITIL 4, AWS Certification, ISO 27001, HubSpot (Admin, Ops Hub, RevOps, or CMS).

• You've embedded AI capabilities that measurably improve learner outcomes, operational efficiency, or commercial performance.
• Our technology platforms are reliable, secure, and continuously improving – with faster delivery cycles and fewer incidents.
• The CEO and leadership team turn to you for strategic technology advice and trust your judgment on technical decisions.
• Your team is performing at a high level – shipping quality work, taking ownership, and growing in capability.
• Stakeholders across the business – from learning design to sales to operations – see technology as an enabler, not a blocker, and value their relationship with you and your team.
• You're balancing strategic thinking with hands-on execution – defining the roadmap and rolling up your sleeves to deliver it.

Lots of benefits including: 

• Holidays – 25 days plus bank public holidays, increasing by 1 day after 2 years and a further day after 4 years. 
• A day off on or around your birthday. 
• Cycle2Work scheme 
• Statutory pension and life assurance. 
• Employee Assistance Program & other lifestyle discounts
• Various opportunities to gain an immersive experience into a range of Avado products and proposition. 
• On-demand access to our Avado Connect community 
• Curated personal development and learning tools – SEEDL platform 

 And… just for being here, we offer you a culture that’s created and nurtured by super smart people and underpinned by our Values which guide our thinking, decisions and actions, creating a truly unique place to work. You will also get to be at the forefront of helping a very diverse range of professionals enhance their careers, whether at the early stages or later down the line. You'll enjoy an environment with an enviable workspace to use in West London, serious personal development opportunities (well, we are a learning organisation after all), and some rather nice job-related and lifestyle perks. 

And we’re highly inclusive….

Avado is one of those rare places where anyone from anywhere with any background or experience is free to come and do their very best work. We believe in the diversity of thought, as that’s what helps us help our clients and learners – whether investing in their own development, or having their employer invest for them. Equality, diversity and inclusion are values that underpin our success; come and see for yourself!