Join Early Years – the organisation for young children as Customer Technology and AI Strategic Lead

Location: Early Years Headquarters, Belfast, BT12 6TA, a hybrid working policy is in place

Hours: 37 hours per week

Tenure: fixed term: two year contract

Salary: Point 47–50, £59,705.73-£63,329.08 per annum pro rata

Do you have a passion for making a meaningful impact in early childhood education?

Do you believe in the power of play to unlock potential?

Be part of our team and help shape the futures of children by fostering growth and learning through purposeful opportunities.

At Early Years, we are committed to fostering growth for both the children and our staff. Joining means an opportunity to enhance your skills, make a meaningful difference, and collaborate with a team that upholds dedication, compassion, and excellence in early years care and education.

In return, Early Years provides a comprehensive rewards package, including a competitive salary, 36 days of annual leave (pro-rata), inclusive of statutory/public holidays, a contributory pension scheme, options to purchase additional leave, and access to healthcare schemes.

The role

Take a strategic leadership role in the management, development and integration of technology and AI services across the organisation so that they are key enablers of business transformation, innovation and service delivery.

The postholder will lead the development and delivery of the organisation’s Technology and AI Strategy, ensuring alignment with corporate priorities, and embedding digital innovation into organisational processes.

The Customer Technology and AI Strategic Lead will have overall responsibility for all customer-facing technology platforms, ensuring effective governance, performance, and continuous improvement.

The role will provide relevant input across specialist groups including the Data Management Group and Information Management Group, ensuring robust governance, compliance and insight-driven decision making.

The postholder will work closely with the Senior Management Team to ensure technology solutions support high quality, evidence-informed services for children, families and communities.

We're looking for people who:

At the closing date have:

Essential criteria

• A third level qualification in Information Technology, Computing, Digital Innovation or a related discipline or appropriate professional qualification

OR

• A minimum of 5 years’ senior management experience in a technology or digital leadership role involving similar scale and complexity.

• Demonstrable experience of developing and implementing technology and/or data strategies. 
• Proven experience of managing enterprise systems and customer-facing digital platforms. 
• Experience of data management, data governance and analytics frameworks.
• Experience of leading or implementing AI or digital innovation initiatives.
• Experience of managing multidisciplinary teams and driving organisational change.
• Strong knowledge of cyber security, data protection and information governance.
• Experience of budget management and procurement of IT/digital services.
• Excellent communication skills with the ability to engage technical and non-technical stakeholders.
• Knowledge of current and emerging developments in technology and AI.
• A full current driving licence enabling the holder to drive in NI and have the use of a vehicle for official purposes or have access to a form of transport that will enable the candidate to meet the requirements of the post in full.

Desirable criteria

• Qualification in IT Service Management, Project Management or Agile methodologies.
• Qualification in Information Governance or Cyber Security.
• Experience working in the public or voluntary sector.

An information pack containing the job description and personnel specification is available by clicking here.

Please note, the information pack will not be available after the job posting closes therefore you may want to download it.

As part of the application process, you will need to demonstrate how you meet the criteria as outlined above and, on the personnel specification, and provide a copy of your CV.

Shortlisting will be completed based on the information contained with the application form, therefore it is important to clearly outline how you meet the criteria.

Please note that your CV will only be used to support your application in assessing employment history.

Once you begin the application, it must be completed in one session, as there is no option to save and return to it later.

The closing date for receipt of completed applications is Friday 24 July 2026.

For shortlisted applicants it is anticipated that interviews will take place on Wednesday 12 August 2026.

A reserve list may be held for a period of up to six months for the same or similar roles – if this applies to you, we’ll let you know via email.

Should you need to contact us, please use the following methods:

Email: monitoringofficer@early-years.org

Phone: 028 9066 2825 Option 5

Early Years is an equal opportunities employer and is committed to providing flexible friendly working conditions. As Protestants and males are currently known to be under-represented in the Organisation, we would particularly welcome applications from these groups.