Senior IT Manager

ENVIRONMENT:YOUR strong leadership, communication & excellent problem-solving ability is sought to fill the role of a Senior IT Manager joining the team of a leading Service & Technology provider based in the UK. Your core role will entail executing and operationalizing the companys IT strategy, ensuring alignment with business objectives. It will involve overseeing the management of IT infrastructure, Cybersecurity, and digital transformation while ensuring operational excellence and cost efficiency. The ideal candidate is a strategic thinker with hands-on expertise in ITgovernance, ITSM technologies, and security frameworks. You must preferably possess a Bachelors Degree in IT/Computer Science, or related field with 5-10 years relevant work experience including proficiency with JIRA Service Desk, Manage Engine, Microsoft 365, Active Directory, networking (firewalls, VPNs, LAN/WAN), Sophos (or similar), Cloudflare (or similar) & have knowledge of IT security best practices and compliance standards (ISO 27001, GDPR, Cyber Essentials Plus, ITIL, etc.). DUTIES:Leadership & Management -Develop and implement a comprehensive IT strategy aligned with business goals.Lead, mentor, and develop a high-performing IT team.Consult on and report on relevant KPAs/KPIs to stakeholders and the board of Directors in relation to ITSM.Oversee and optimise the performance of ITSM.Lead the evaluation and adoption of emerging technologies such as AI and automation in relation to ITSM.Oversee the IT departments budgeting, cost optimization, and resource allocation. Service Management & Operations Implement and maintain IT service management (ITSM) best practices.Ensure high availability and performance of IT systems, networks, hardware and applications.Ensure SLAs and incident and request management processes are met.Assist in implementing robust Disaster Recovery (DR) and Business Continuity (BC) plans in relation to ITSM. Project & Strategic Planning -Research innovative new technologies to optimize the ITSM.Develop proposals and business cases for IT projects, including introducing new strategic initiatives and migrating away from legacy technology.Collaborate with stakeholders to define requirements and resource needs.Support other departments in meeting IT needs to improve operational efficiency.Balance operational and project delivery priorities within team capacity.Establish IT project roadmap and ensure delivery of roadmap according to budget and time estimations. Compliance & Security -Develop and enforce Cybersecurity policies and incident response plans.Ensure compliance with Cyber Essentials Plus, ISO 27001, GDPR, and other relevant security frameworks, maintaining documentation for audits.Identify and mitigate security risks, enforce best practices, and conduct regular assessments to maintain robust IT security.Oversee adherence to data protection regulations and policies, ensuring security processes align with industry standards.Lead security incident response efforts, ensuring alignment with industry best practices for threat mitigation, recovery, and proactive monitoring.Maintain risk records and escalate issues as needed. Stakeholder & Supplier Management -Collaborate with C-suite, Department Heads, and external partners to drive technology adoption.Manage vendor relationships, contract negotiations, and IT Procurement.Collaborate with stakeholders to promote a security-first culture.Ensure third-party vendors meet security standards during Procurement process to assess risks and suitability. REQUIREMENTS:Preferred Qualifications Bachelors Degree in IT, Computer Science, or related field (or equivalent experience).Certifications: ITIL, CompTIA Network+, Microsoft Certified: Azure Administrator, or similar. Experience/Skills 5-10 Years of experience in IT Management, IT Operations, or Systems Administration.Strong technical expertise in Network Administration, Server Management, and IT Support.Proven experience implementing and managing ITSM software systems, e.g. JIRA Service Desk, Manage Engine, etc.Experience with Microsoft 365, Active Directory, networking (firewalls, VPNs, LAN/WAN), Sophos (or similar), Cloudflare (or similar).Knowledge of IT security best practices and compliance standards (ISO 27001, GDPR, Cyber Essentials Plus, ITIL, etc).Strong debugging and issue resolution skills with the ability to quickly investigate and resolve IT and system issues.Hands-on experience with backup solutions in support of BC and DR.Strong vendor management and IT procurement experience.Strong financial and numerical acumen with experience managing IT budgets and cost control. Preferred to have Experience in implementing and managing ITIL (Information Technology Infrastructure Library) best practices.Experience with Agile/SCRUM project management methodologies.Experience with SIEM systems, e.g. Azure Defender for Cloud.Familiarity with AI, automation, and emerging technologies.Experience with ERP, CRM, and business intelligence solutions.Experience in implementing and managing IT management automation using scripting or pipelines, e.g. Microsoft Power Platform.Experience with cloud platforms (e.g. Azure preferred). ATTRIBUTES:Strong leadership, communication, and stakeholder management skills.Ability to align IT with business objectives and digital transformation goals.Excellent problem-solving and decision-making skills with a positive and proactive attitude towards challenges.Effective time management and delegation skills. While we would really like to respond to every application, should you not be contacted for this position within 10 working days please consider your application unsuccessful. COMMENTS:When applying for jobs, ensure that you have the minimum job requirements. Only