IT Lead

IT Lead

Location: Barrow-in-Furness
Rate: Competitive, dependent on experience

The Opportunity

We are currently recruiting on behalf of a leading organisation for an experienced IT Lead to take ownership of the delivery, performance and governance of a broad IT estate.

This is a key role with responsibility spanning IT infrastructure, networks, telephony, end-user computing, Microsoft services and associated technologies. You will provide both strategic oversight and hands-on leadership, working closely with outsourced service providers and internal stakeholders to ensure the IT environment remains secure, resilient, compliant and fit for purpose.

The successful candidate will combine strong technical knowledge with excellent commercial, vendor management and service delivery skills. You will also play a significant role in IT projects, cyber security, disaster recovery, audit, change management and major incident response.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the overall delivery and performance of the IT estate across infrastructure, networks, telephony, end-user computing and associated services.
• Develop, maintain and drive compliance with IT processes, procedures, work instructions and service documentation.
• Oversee the design and maintenance of a scalable, resilient and secure IT architecture.
• Manage third-party IT suppliers, contracts, commercial relationships and outsourced resources.
• Lead contract renewals and tender activity in collaboration with senior stakeholders and procurement teams.
• Monitor and assure third-party, cloud and SaaS services.
• Act as a key IT contact for internal and external audits, assurance activities and reviews.
• Maintain strong IT General Controls and complete IT control assurance activities.
• Manage IT licensing, service consumption, renewals, domain registrations and related commercial activity.
• Lead and deliver IT projects including upgrades, replacements, implementations and major changes.
• Coordinate IT testing and UAT activity.
• Oversee IT change, release and upgrade management.
• Manage major IT incidents and escalations, coordinating with outsourced providers where required.
• Direct and oversee outsourced IT support resources and ensure contractual service performance is maintained.
• Support incident, problem, request fulfilment and access management activities.
• Develop and test disaster recovery arrangements and ensure appropriate resilience across the IT estate.
• Oversee vulnerability management, patching and remediation activities.
• Support cyber incident response and investigations.
• Coordinate external penetration testing and ensure findings are appropriately addressed.
• Oversee the administration of security technologies and controls, including SIEM, NAC, Microsoft Defender and related tooling.
• Support phishing simulation programmes and ensure lessons learned are embedded.
• Conduct security due diligence assessments for new or changed IT services.
• Maintain and oversee security protocols including MFA, encryption and cryptography.
• Support the hosting and integration of external/SaaS business applications.
• Maintain IT build, support and service catalogue documentation.
• Manage the Barrow server room and associated infrastructure.
• Ensure effective retirement and decommissioning of end-of-life IT services.

About You

We are looking for an IT professional with broad technical knowledge and the ability to operate across both strategic and operational areas.

You will ideally have experience working within a complex, multi-site environment, with a strong understanding of infrastructure, networking, telephony and end-user computing. You will be comfortable managing outsourced service providers and acting as the bridge between technical delivery teams, business stakeholders, auditors and suppliers.

You should also bring a strong appreciation of cyber security, IT governance and operational resilience, alongside the ability to lead significant incidents and projects.

Key Skills & Experience

• Strong understanding of IT infrastructure, networks, telephony, end-user computing and associated services.
• Experience operating within a complex or multi-site IT environment.
• Good understanding of applications, business use cases and service criticality.
• Strong knowledge of Microsoft 365, Azure and PowerApps/Power BI.
• Detailed understanding of IT General Controls and IT governance.
• Experience producing and maintaining technical, procedural and architectural documentation.
• Knowledge of IT licensing models, consumption and commercial management.
• Strong supplier, contract and outsourced service management experience.
• Ability to work effectively with audit and assurance teams.
• Strong knowledge of disaster recovery planning and testing.
• Understanding of incident, problem and change management.
• Experience of IT project delivery and PMO processes.
• Ability to coordinate IT service testing and UAT.
• Strong understanding of cyber security principles and security control frameworks.
• Knowledge of security protocols, tools and practices.
• Experience managing significant IT incidents and escalations.
• Ability to lead and direct outsourced technical resources.
• Strong communication and stakeholder management skills.
• Commercially aware, with the ability to manage scope, specification, cost and supplier performance.

Apply now to discuss the opportunity and find out more about the role.