Our analysts find the abuse. Our technology helps the world block it. We’re looking for the leader who will decide what we build next.
Why this role, why now
For more than 30 years, the Internet Watch Foundation has located, assessed and removed images and videos of child sexual abuse from the internet. In 2025 alone, our analysts actioned 311,610 reports of criminal material. Our tech-for-good services help over 220 companies find and block this content at scale.
But the threat is changing fast. AI-generated abuse imagery is growing sharply, and new payment, encryption and platform technologies are opening new routes for abuse. Our technology has to move faster still. That’s where you come in.
Role overview
This is a new executive role, bringing technology and product together under one leader. Reporting to the CEO, you’ll set the Technology & Product strategy that keeps the IWF ahead of offenders, deciding what we build, adopt and develop with partners and balancing those ambitions against what our team can realistically deliver.
You’ll turn our Hotline analysts’ expertise into tools, datasets and services that IWF Members, law enforcement and regulators rely on, and run some of the most sensitive data infrastructure in the UK to the highest standards of security, resilience and ethics. You’ll lead our Head of IT and Head of Software and their teams.
What you’ll lead
Our product and technology strategy, budget and roadmap, representing technology at Board level
The responsible adoption of AI and machine learning to scale detection and prevention
Our classification, hashing and data-sharing platforms, across cloud and on-premises systems
Information security, cyber resilience and the secure handling of criminal data
Partnerships with Members, law enforcement and others, and technical input to policy on online safety and AI regulation
Who we’re looking for
You’ll bring significant senior product and/or technology leadership experience, with credibility across both disciplines and a track record of delivering data-driven products or platforms for external customers or partners. You’ll be grounded in modern cloud architecture, data engineering and information security, and experienced in leading teams, managing budgets and prioritising with limited resources.
You’ll be as comfortable with a front-line analyst as with a software engineer, a global tech platform or our Board. Experience in online safety, cyber security, law enforcement technology or applying AI in production would be a real advantage. Above all, you’ll share our commitment to protecting children online.
About the work
This role includes viewing illegal and distressing content, the frequency of this is more intermittent and occasional and when necessary, rather than a daily expectation of the role. We provide full training and ongoing wellbeing support, and you’ll have the chance to experience this as part of the recruitment process before making a decision.
More information and how to apply
A recruitment pack, including details of the interview structure, is available to view and download here. To see the full job description for this role, please email our recruitment partner, [email protected].
If you’d like an informal conversation about the role before applying, Thayer is also happy to hear from you. To apply, please send your CV and a covering letter to [email protected], telling us what draws you to this role, to the IWF and to our mission, and what you’d bring to the work.
We’re reviewing applications on a rolling basis, so we may close this vacancy before 29 November 2026.
All applicants will be subject to enhanced DBS checks prior to confirmation of employment.
