Director of Systems, Data & AI

Get your career on track with a team where you can grow, belong and make an impact from day one.

Greater Thameslink Railway (GTR) is the UK's largest rail operator, connecting millions of people through Southern, Thameslink, Great Northern and Gatwick Express services. Through our vision of Creating Great Journeys, we are committed to delivering safe, reliable and customer-focused travel, supporting local communities, and fostering a diverse, equitable and inclusive workplace where everyone feels valued and can thrive.

At GTR, your career is a journey. We offer clear development pathways, progression opportunities and support to help you grow, whether you are starting out or taking the next step in your railway career.

We are committed to building a diverse and inclusive workforce that reflects the communities we serve, creating a culture where everyone feels welcome, respected, safe and able to be themselves at work.

GTR is continuing to go through technology enabled change and transformation supporting their millions of customers annually. To support this journey further the group now wish to appoint their first Director of Systems, Data & AI. This is a critical leadership role accountable for setting and delivering the enterprise wise technology strategy across the organisation. The postholder will take responsibility for ensuring that IT, Data, Analytics and Product Management functions enable the business objectives, including operational resilience, customer experience, financial efficiency and innovation.

The role will lead a highly skilled team that supports 24/7/365 mission-critical systems. You’ll ensure that digital and data infrastructure underpin performance, automation, insight and service delivery across the business. This position will also be accountable for driving continuous improvement in cyber resilience, AI readiness and enterprise product management as part of the wider digital evolution.

• Proven experience in leading enterprise-wide IT, data, and/or digital functions in a complex and regulated organisation.
• Strong track record of managing large IT budgets and leading cross-functional teams across infrastructure, support, and innovation functions.
• Experience managing senior internal and external stakeholders including government departments and corporate boards.
• Experience delivering technology transformation initiatives (e.g. cloud migration, ERP, AI pilots, or data platform modernisation)
• Extensive knowledge of enterprise IT operations, data architecture, cloud systems, and digital infrastructure in a 24/7 environment.
• Strong awareness of cybersecurity frameworks, including compliance with NIS Regulations, CSR Bill, ISO 27001, Cyber Essentials, and other industry standards.
• Understanding of data governance, architecture, and analytics platforms (e.g. Azure, Power BI, Snowflake, Databricks).
• Familiarity with emerging technologies such as AI, automation, IoT, and their relevance to rail operations.
• Background in transport, infrastructure, utilities, or public services highly advantageous.

• Exceptional leadership and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to influence cross-functional and executive teams.
• Strong communication and strategic planning capability, translating complex IT requirements into business-focused strategies.
• Skilled in vendor and contract management, including performance management of major technology suppliers.
• Ability to lead change at scale, particularly in modernising legacy systems and deploying digital platforms.
• Demonstrated ability to manage cybersecurity risk and drive compliance within a regulatory framework.
• Strategic thinker with the ability to…