
Head of TechOps at Kraken. Location Information: UK. Help us use technology to make a big green dent in the universe!. Kraken. powers some of the most innovative global developments in energy.. We’re a technology company focused on creating a smart, sustainable energy system. From optimising renewable generation, creating a more intelligent grid and enabling utilities to provide excellent customer experiences, our operating system for energy is transforming the industry around the world in a way that benefits everyone.. It’s a really exciting time in energy. Help us make a real impact on shaping a better, more sustainable future.. We are incredibly excited to be building out our TechOps team at Kraken, and are now looking for an inspirational and highly experienced leader to head up our team. You'll be instrumental in scaling our operations, driving innovation, and continuing to build a world-class TechOps function that empowers our rapidly growing global workforce.. What is TechOps? A more modern, more lean version of a traditional enterprise IT team. We cover everything from what most people would call “1st line support” all the way up to high-level strategic planning, and everything in between. We tackle big problems and the breadth of work is huge. Dealing with ambiguity is a key part of working in TechOps, and every day will be a new and exciting one, working on varying challenges across the company. We have a cloud-first approach to everything we do. This allows us to scale quickly and focus on things where we can add the most value. No on-prem AD here!. About the role . As the Head of TechOps, you will be the driving force behind our global TechOps strategy and execution. You'll be responsible for defining the long-term vision for the team, fostering a culture of continuous improvement, and ensuring our employees have the best possible technical experience. While this is a leadership role, we strongly believe in staying connected to the ground truth – you'll still have a keen understanding of the day-to-day challenges our users face, and the direct impact of your strategic decisions. You'll lead by example, combining strategic foresight with practical problem-solving.. What you'll do. Define and execute the strategic roadmap for the global TechOps team, aligning with the wider Kraken Technologies' goals.. Lead, mentor, and grow a team of ambitious and knowledgeable TechOps professionals, fostering a culture of excellence, learning, and collaboration.. Oversee the design, implementation, and continuous improvement of world-class processes, automations, and systems to enhance user experience, drive efficiency, and enable rapid scaling.. Champion our cloud-first approach, ensuring our infrastructure and tooling support our rapid growth and innovation.. Drive transformational organizational change, ensuring TechOps is a key enabler for Kraken Technologies' global expansion.. Collaborate closely with senior stakeholders across all areas of the business, including Security, Engineering, and People teams, to ensure seamless operations and strategic alignment.. Oversee complex technical projects, from initial concept to successful global rollout, ensuring projects are delivered on time and to a high standard. Examples include: Rollout of, and migration to, a new identity provider; macOS and Windows MDM migration; Rollout of a new device trust and posture compliance solution; The replacement of insecure factors like SMS with phishing-resistant factors; Office fit-outs, including tech like network, AV, access control etc; SaaS migrations for acquisitions e.g., Microsoft 365 to Google Workspace.. Manage key vendor relationships and procurement processes for critical SaaS and hardware solutions.. Maintain a hands-on understanding of emerging technologies and industry best practices to ensure TechOps remains at the forefront of innovation.. Roles that you might currently be in: Head of IT, IT Director, Director of Operations, VP of Infrastructure, Head of Workplace Technology, Senior Solutions Architect, Enterprise Architect.. What you'll need. Extensive experience in a senior leadership role within a TechOps, IT, or equivalent department, with a proven track record of building and scaling high-performing teams.. Demonstrable experience in defining and executing strategic technical roadmaps in a fast-paced, high-growth environment.. Proven experience leading . Deep expertise in cloud-first environments, Identity & Access Management (IAM) systems like Okta or Microsoft Entra, and modern workplace technologies.. Exceptional ability to lead and manage complex technical projects with multiple stakeholders, demonstrating strong organisational and prioritisation skills.. Proficiency in scripting, using APIs and automating mundane, error-prone repetitive tasks.. Comfort with a huge amount of ambiguity and the ability to spin multiple plates effectively at the same time.. Outstanding communication skills, with the ability to articulate complex technical concepts to both technical and non-technical senior stakeholders.. A conscientious approach to everything you do and a passion for doing the right thing rather than the easy thing.. What you should have. Strong opinions on best practice and a history of challenging traditional norms, advocating for more modern, novel approaches.. Experience with email gateway administration and email routing, including strong understanding of email security protocols and standards e.g. SPF, DKIM, DMARC etc.. Experience using git and GitHub for code changes and CI/CD.. Proven experience mentoring less experienced team members.. What's nice to have. A foundational understanding of programming and software engineering.. Familiarity with frontend and backend engineering, including languages such as TypeScript and Python, and frameworks such as React, Remix and Django.. Familiarity with our security tooling - CrowdStrike EDR, Kolide, osquery, Zscaler.. Experience with macOS and Windows MDM solutions (e.g., Kandji, Intune).. Don’t think you check off all of the above? We love hiring passionate people with a drive to learn so get in touch and let us know which areas you don’t currently have confidence and/or experience with, we’d still love to hear from you!. This role can be partially remote, on or close to the UK timezone. We also have major offices in London, Manchester & Paris - so travelling to one of those is preferable. . If this sounds like you then we'd love to hear from you.. Are you ready for a career with us? We want to ensure you have all the tools and environment you need to unleash your potential. Need any specific accommodations? Whether you require specific accommodations or have a unique preference, let us know, and we'll do what we can to customise your interview process for comfort and maximum magic!. Studies have shown that some groups of people, like women, are less likely to apply to a role unless they meet 100% of the job requirements. Whoever you are, if you like one of our jobs, we encourage you to apply as you might just be the candidate we hire. Across Kraken, we're looking for genuinely decent people who are honest and empathetic. Our people are our strongest asset and the unique skills and perspectives people bring to the team are the driving force of our success. As an equal opportunity employer, we do not discriminate on the basis of any protected attribute. Our commitment is to provide equal opportunities, an inclusive work environment, and fairness for everyone.