Global Head of IT Operations / Platform Owner (+75% remoto)
Hays · Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
- On site
- Full-time
- €150,000 / year
- Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
Job highlights
- Lead global IT Operations strategy and execution.
- Ensure IT service stability and resilience.
- Manage international IT teams and vendors.
- Drive ITSM, monitoring, and asset management platforms.
- Impact global technology strategy in Barcelona hub.
About the role
Global Head of IT Operations
Hays is seeking a Global Head of IT Operations for a leading international company with its technology hub located in Barcelona. This multinational group is undergoing a significant global standardization and operational excellence strategy. The Barcelona tech center is a key international hub, fostering a dynamic, multicultural environment central to the evolution of the corporate technology platform.
You will join the global Operations area, reporting directly to the Technology VP. Your primary responsibility will be to ensure the stability, continuity, resilience, and efficiency of IT services supporting the group's international operations.
As part of a transversal and multidisciplinary team, your mission is to lead, design, and govern the global IT Operations strategy. This includes ensuring the consistent implementation of ITIL processes across various countries, driving excellence in daily operations, and evolving ITSM, monitoring, and asset management platforms.
Key Functions
- Define and lead the global IT Operations strategy, including ITSM, incident management, continuity, and resilience.
- Govern global standards, policies, and KPIs, ensuring their correct implementation in all regions.
- Manage international teams, including external staff and vendors, with direct and indirect reports, ensuring 24x7 stability.
- Act as an executive escalation point for critical, high-impact incidents.
- Direct the global roadmap for ITSM, observability, monitoring, and asset management platforms.
- Supervise CMDB quality and govern change, request, and availability processes.
- Coordinate cross-functionally with key business areas and various management levels.
- Oversee the governance of strategic technology vendors, including a large-scale international partner.
- Prepare periodic executive reporting for global technology leadership.
Requirements
- Technical degree in Computer Engineering, Telecommunications, Systems, or similar.
- 15+ years of experience in IT Operations in global or regional environments.
- Experience managing international teams and multi-region operations.
- Advanced command of ITIL, with solid experience in Incident, Problem, Change, and Major Incident Management.
- Experience with enterprise ITSM platforms (ideally ServiceNow) and CMDB governance.
- Knowledge of infrastructure, monitoring, asset management, and "follow-the-sun" models.
- Experience in 24x7 coordination and global vendor management.
- Fluent English for executive communication.
- Key competencies: global leadership, strategic thinking, transversal communication, crisis management, analytical vision, operational excellence, and transformation capability.
Valuable Certifications
- ITIL v4 Managing Professional / ITIL Expert.
- ISO 20000, ISO 27001, COBIT.
- PMP / PRINCE2.
- ServiceNow certifications (ITSM, ITOM, CMDB, Discovery).
- Training in Agile / Scrum, Lean IT, or other continuous improvement methodologies.
We Value
- Experience in multinationals with complex technological operations (retail, industry, telco, pharma, banking, logistics…).
- Ability to challenge, propose, and evolve the global operational strategy.
- Preventive vision and continuous improvement mindset.
- Skill in governing large-scale technology vendors.
- Adaptability to dynamic, changing, and multicultural environments.
What We Offer
- Permanent contract with a company having direct impact on the organization's global strategy.
- Highly competitive salary package according to experience, including: Fixed salary based on merit + Bonus. Company car.
- Access to a strategic international technology hub, offering visibility and real decision-making power.
- 10% discount on company products.
- Young, dynamic, and multicultural environment with high autonomy and co-creation capacity.
- Hybrid work schedule (4 days remote + 1 office day) with real flexibility.
- One trip per month to Germany.
- Intensive workdays on Fridays and during summer.
- Modern offices in central Barcelona with collaborative spaces, free coffee, and weekly fruit.
- Benefit programs including: Flexible remuneration. Optional health insurance. Annual training and certification budget. Language classes (English, Spanish, German…). Day off for your birthday.
Let's talk?
Key skills/competency
- IT Operations Leadership
- ITSM Strategy
- Global IT Governance
- Incident Management
- ServiceNow Expertise
- Vendor Management
- ITIL Processes
- Infrastructure Management
- 24/7 Operations
- Continuous Improvement
Skills & topics
- IT Operations Manager
- Global IT Head
- IT Service Management
- ITIL
- ServiceNow
- Infrastructure Management
- Vendor Management
- 24/7 Operations
- Technology Leadership
- Operational Excellence
How to get hired
- Tailor your resume: Highlight your 15+ years of global IT Operations experience, ITIL mastery, and ITSM platform expertise, specifically mentioning ServiceNow.
- Craft a compelling cover letter: Showcase your strategic leadership, crisis management, and vendor governance skills, aligning them with the company's global operational excellence goals.
- Prepare for technical interviews: Be ready to discuss ITIL processes (Incident, Problem, Change), CMDB governance, monitoring, and infrastructure strategies in a 24x7 global context.
- Demonstrate cultural fit: Emphasize your experience in dynamic, multicultural environments and your ability to drive transformation and continuous improvement.
Technical preparation
Master ITIL frameworks: Incident, Problem, Change.,Deep dive into ServiceNow capabilities and CMDB.,Review monitoring and infrastructure best practices.,Understand 'follow-the-sun' operational models.
Behavioral questions
Describe leading a global IT transformation.,How do you manage critical 24x7 incidents?,Share experience governing large tech vendors.,Discuss your strategic vision for IT Operations.
Frequently asked questions
- What is the primary focus of the Global Head of IT Operations role at Hays?
- The Global Head of IT Operations will lead and govern the global IT Operations strategy, focusing on stability, continuity, resilience, and efficiency of IT services across international operations, with a key presence in Barcelona.
- What level of experience is required for this Global Head of IT Operations position?
- This role requires a minimum of 15 years of experience in IT Operations within global or regional environments, including extensive experience managing international teams and multi-region operations.
- Is ITIL knowledge crucial for the Global Head of IT Operations at Hays?
- Yes, advanced knowledge of ITIL is a core requirement, with solid experience in Incident, Problem, Change, and Major Incident Management being essential for this position.
- What ITSM platforms are preferred for the Global Head of IT Operations role?
- Experience with enterprise ITSM platforms is highly valued, with a particular preference for ServiceNow, including expertise in CMDB governance.
- What is the work arrangement for the Global Head of IT Operations role?
- The role offers a hybrid work arrangement, with 4 days of remote work and 1 day in the modern Barcelona office, providing real flexibility.
- What kind of company is hiring for this Global Head of IT Operations position?
- The company is a leading, international multinational group present in over 10 countries, focused on IT standardization and operational excellence, with its key technology hub in Barcelona.
- What are the key competencies for the Global Head of IT Operations?
- Key competencies include global leadership, strategic thinking, transversal communication, crisis management, analytical vision, operational excellence, and transformation capability.
- Are there specific certifications that are advantageous for this role?
- Valuable certifications include ITIL v4 Managing Professional/Expert, ISO 20000, ISO 27001, COBIT, PMP/PRINCE2, and ServiceNow certifications.
- What benefits are offered to the Global Head of IT Operations?
- Benefits include a competitive salary package, company car, flexible hybrid work, international travel opportunities, training budgets, and modern office facilities.
- How does the company ensure operational stability for this role?
- The company emphasizes ensuring 24x7 stability, continuity, resilience, and efficiency of IT services, supported by experienced teams and global vendor management.