Head of Technical / Director, IT
Fanatics
IT
Manchester, UK
Posted on Jan 13, 2026
Purpose of the Role:
To deliver technology excellence and operational resilience across UK operations, enabling scalable growth and seamless commerce experiences across retail, fulfillment, and digital channels.
The IT Director provides strategic and operational leadership across all UK based technology domains and teams supporting resilient infrastructure, systems, and strong alignment between UK business needs and global technology strategy.
Partnering closely with NA technology teams and leaders and internal functional owners, this role will define technical plans and local resources in line with business priorities, existing products, planned development and independent solutions
Duties and Responsibilities:
- People Leadership
- Build and develop a high-performing UK IT team with clear accountability and career pathways.
- Foster a culture of collaboration, transparency, and continuous improvement
- Regional Technology Leadership
- Lead all UK-based IT functions — infrastructure, networking, workplace systems, and site technology.
- Ensure uptime, scalability, and security across fulfillment centers, retail sites, and offices.
- Oversee business continuity, disaster recovery, and cybersecurity in alignment with global policies.
- Strategic Delivery & Program Management
- Deliver major UK initiatives spanning Supply Chain, Logistics, Buying, and Merchandising systems.
- Partner with North America Technology to ensure global alignment across front-end, e-commerce, and operations systems.
- Establish and manage delivery frameworks, KPIs, and governance processes.
- Vendor, Partner & Stakeholder Management
- Manage vendor performance, contracts, and service delivery.
- Act as primary bridge between UK Operations, Commercial teams, and Global Technology leadership.
- Technology Strategy & Solution Selection
- Guide technology and product decisions to balance UK ROI against initiatives.
- Where appropriate, evaluate and select regional applications and services that support efficiency and growth.
Knowledge, Skills, and Experience:
- 10+ years in IT leadership within complex, multi-site or omni-channel organizations.
- Proven experience managing infrastructure, networks, and enterprise systems at scale.
- Strong understanding of Supply Chain, Logistics, Buying, and Merchandising processes.
- Demonstrated success leading technology delivery and transformation initiatives.
- Skilled in vendor and partner management, contract negotiation, and service governance.
- Effective communicator and influencer within global, matrixed environments.
Key Stakeholders:
- Global technical leadership including leaders for infrastructure, networks, workplace systems, and site technology.
- Internal UK based leaders for E-commerce, buying & merchandising, Finance and Operations
- Local technical teams and functional leaders
- International Senior Leadership Team
Fanatics is building a leading global digital sports platform. We ignite the passions of global sports fans and maximize the presence and reach for our hundreds of sports partners globally by offering products and services across Fanatics Commerce, Fanatics Collectibles, and Fanatics Betting & Gaming, allowing sports fans to Buy, Collect, and Bet. Through the Fanatics platform, sports fans can buy licensed fan gear, jerseys, lifestyle and streetwear products, headwear, and hardgoods; collect physical and digital trading cards, sports memorabilia, and other digital assets; and bet as the company builds its Sportsbook and iGaming platform. Fanatics has an established database of over 100 million global sports fans; a global partner network with approximately 900 sports properties, including major national and international professional sports leagues, players associations, teams, colleges, college conferences and retail partners, 2,500 athletes and celebrities, and 200 exclusive athletes; and over 2,000 retail locations, including its Lids retail stores. Our more than 22,000 employees are committed to relentlessly enhancing the fan experience and delighting sports fans globally.
Fanatics Commerce is a leading designer, manufacturer, and seller of licensed fan gear, jerseys, lifestyle and streetwear products, headwear, and hardgoods. It operates a vertically-integrated platform of digital and physical capabilities for leading sports leagues, teams, colleges, and associations globally – as well as its flagship site, www.fanatics.com.
Fanatics Commerce has a broad range of online, sports venue, and vertical apparel partnerships worldwide, including comprehensive partnerships with leading leagues, teams, colleges, and sports organizations across the world—including the NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL, MLS, Formula 1, and Australian Football League (AFL); the Dallas Cowboys, Golden State Warriors, Paris Saint-Germain, Manchester United, Chelsea FC, and Tokyo Giants; the University of Notre Dame, University of Alabama, and University of Texas; the International Olympic Committee (IOC), England Rugby, and the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA).
At Fanatics Commerce, we infuse our BOLD Leadership Principles in everything we do:
· Build Championship Teams
· Obsessed with Fans
· Limitless Entrepreneurial Spirit
· Determined and Relentless Mindset
To deliver technology excellence and operational resilience across UK operations, enabling scalable growth and seamless commerce experiences across retail, fulfillment, and digital channels.