Fractional IT Director – Technology & AI (FTC)

At Flat Iron, we're all about remarkable steaks, accessible to everyone, and driven by passionate people who love what they do. This philosophy is at the core of who we are, where we've come from, and where we're dedicated to staying.

Exciting times lie ahead for Flat Iron as we continue to grow. Technology already touches pretty much everything we do, from how our guests book and pay to how we schedule our teams, forecast sales, manage stock and open restaurants. We've done a lot of work on our technology and AI roadmap, and now we're ready to bring it all together and turn those plans into action.

We're looking for a Fractional IT Director – Technology & AI to join us 2 days a week on an 18-month fixed-term contract. You'll take ownership of our IT infrastructure, systems and technology partners, while helping us use AI where it genuinely adds value. This is an opportunity to take the thinking we've already done and turn it into practical solutions that make things simpler for our teams and support Flat Iron as we continue to grow.

What we offer you:

• Competitive salary
• 18-month fixed-term contract, working 2 days per week
• Flexible working, with regular time at Beef HQ and in our restaurants
• Flat Iron Discount Card
• Beef Bank – a digital reward card
• 30 days holiday allowance (pro rata, excluding Bank Holidays)
• Enhanced Maternity, Paternity and Adoption Leave
• Medicash – get money back on routine health expenses
• Cycle to Work scheme
• And more!

We are looking for:

• Significant experience in an IT Director, Technology Director, Head of Technology or similar senior technology leadership role, ideally within a growing, multi-site or operationally complex business.
• Someone who can take a joined-up view of our technology, from infrastructure, cloud, networks and core business systems through to EPOS, payments and operational technology.
• Experience managing outsourced IT support and technology partners, with the confidence to challenge suppliers and make sure we're getting the right service, quality and value.
• Practical experience with AI and automation, with the ability to identify where it can genuinely make things simpler or better rather than introducing technology for technology's sake.
• A strong track record of delivering technology projects, system implementations, migrations and improvements and making sure they're properly embedded.
• Strong knowledge of cybersecurity, data protection, PCI DSS and responsible AI governance.
• A commercially minded approach, with the ability to balance cost, value, risk and impact when making technology decisions.
• A confident communicator who can make complex technology simple, work closely with senior leaders and turn ideas into things that actually happen.

Here's what you'll get up to:

• Take ownership of our IT infrastructure, making sure our technology is secure, reliable and fit to support Flat Iron as we grow.
• Bring our technology roadmap together and turn our priorities into clear, deliverable projects over the next 18 months.
• Get the best from our outsourced IT partner, setting clear expectations around service, support and performance and stepping in when bigger issues need resolving.
• Take a joined-up view of our systems, identifying opportunities to simplify how they work together and making sure our teams have the information they need.
• Help us understand where AI can genuinely improve how Flat Iron operates, testing ideas, running pilots and scaling the things that create real value.
• Lead key technology projects, migrations and system improvements from idea through to delivery and make sure changes are properly embedded across the business.
• Make sure our technology is secure and responsibly managed, with strong foundations across cybersecurity, data protection, PCI DSS and AI governance.
• Work closely with our CFO, COO and teams across Operations, Finance, People and Brand, making technology simple and helping people understand what's changing and why.
• Help us get to a place where our technology is secure and joined up, AI is being used where it genuinely adds value, our key projects are delivered and our restaurant teams have simpler ways of working.

At Flat Iron, we're all about remarkable steaks, accessible to everyone, and driven by passionate people who love what they do. This philosophy is at the core of who we are, where we've come from, and where we're dedicated to staying.

Exciting times lie ahead for Flat Iron as we continue to grow. Technology already touches pretty much everything we do, from how our guests book and pay to how we schedule our teams, forecast sales, manage stock and open restaurants. We've done a lot of work on our technology and AI roadmap, and now we're ready to bring it all together and turn those plans into action.

We're looking for a Fractional IT Director – Technology & AI to join us 2 days a week on an 18-month fixed-term contract. You'll take ownership of our IT infrastructure, systems and technology partners, while helping us use AI where it genuinely adds value. This is an opportunity to take the thinking we've already done and turn it into practical solutions that make things simpler for our teams and support Flat Iron as we continue to grow.

What we offer you:

• Competitive salary
• 18-month fixed-term contract, working 2 days per week
• Flexible working, with regular time at Beef HQ and in our restaurants
• Flat Iron Discount Card
• Beef Bank – a digital reward card
• 30 days holiday allowance (pro rata, excluding Bank Holidays)
• Enhanced Maternity, Paternity and Adoption Leave
• Medicash – get money back on routine health expenses
• Cycle to Work scheme
• And more!

We are looking for:

• Significant experience in an IT Director, Technology Director, Head of Technology or similar senior technology leadership role, ideally within a growing, multi-site or operationally complex business.
• Someone who can take a joined-up view of our technology, from infrastructure, cloud, networks and core business systems through to EPOS, payments and operational technology.
• Experience managing outsourced IT support and technology partners, with the confidence to challenge suppliers and make sure we're getting the right service, quality and value.
• Practical experience with AI and automation, with the ability to identify where it can genuinely make things simpler or better rather than introducing technology for technology's sake.
• A strong track record of delivering technology projects, system implementations, migrations and improvements and making sure they're properly embedded.
• Strong knowledge of cybersecurity, data protection, PCI DSS and responsible AI governance.
• A commercially minded approach, with the ability to balance cost, value, risk and impact when making technology decisions.
• A confident communicator who can make complex technology simple, work closely with senior leaders and turn ideas into things that actually happen.

Here's what you'll get up to:

• Take ownership of our IT infrastructure, making sure our technology is secure, reliable and fit to support Flat Iron as we grow.
• Bring our technology roadmap together and turn our priorities into clear, deliverable projects over the next 18 months.
• Get the best from our outsourced IT partner, setting clear expectations around service, support and performance and stepping in when bigger issues need resolving.
• Take a joined-up view of our systems, identifying opportunities to simplify how they work together and making sure our teams have the information they need.
• Help us understand where AI can genuinely improve how Flat Iron operates, testing ideas, running pilots and scaling the things that create real value.
• Lead key technology projects, migrations and system improvements from idea through to delivery and make sure changes are properly embedded across the business.
• Make sure our technology is secure and responsibly managed, with strong foundations across cybersecurity, data protection, PCI DSS and AI governance.
• Work closely with our CFO, COO and teams across Operations, Finance, People and Brand, making technology simple and helping people understand what's changing and why.
• Help us get to a place where our technology is secure and joined up, AI is being used where it genuinely adds value, our key projects are delivered and our restaurant teams have simpler ways of working.