IT Operations Lead

As IT Operations Lead, you will be the single point of ownership for all internal IT systems and services. You will ensure the reliability, security, and performance of the organisation's corporate technology estate - spanning Microsoft 365, Azure, networking, and third-party data centre services - supporting a global workforce and customer-facing services around the clock., * End-to-End IT Ownership: Full responsibility for corporate IT operations, including user support, infrastructure, cloud platforms, and service delivery.

• Cloud & Data Centre Management: Administration and optimisation of Microsoft Azure environments, Microsoft 365 services, and a UK-based offsite data centre.
• Service Continuity: Design, implement, and maintain business continuity and disaster recovery plans to ensure high availability for critical systems.
• Security & Compliance: Maintain and continually improve the organisation's information security posture in line with ISO 27001 or similar standards.
• Technical Escalation & Support: Act as the senior escalation point for complex issues, providing hands-on troubleshooting and proactive problem resolution.
• Vendor Management: Manage relationships with managed service providers and third-party suppliers across hosting, networking, security, and business systems.
• Transformation & Change: Partner with stakeholders across the business to deliver technology change, support transformation initiatives, and modernise IT services.
• Documentation & Process: Ensure IT processes, systems, assets, and incidents are fully documented, auditable, and compliant.
• Culture & Collaboration: Promote a collaborative, inquisitive, and accountable culture, working closely with teams across the UK and internationally.

This role suits a senior, hands-on IT professional who enjoys accountability, thrives in a fast-moving environment, and wants to shape how IT enables the business., You are someone who takes ownership, follows through, and is comfortable being accountable for outcomes. You communicate clearly, stay calm under pressure, and enjoy solving complex problems in environments where reliability matters.

You are curious by nature, proactive in driving improvement, and focused on delivering high-quality service to internal users and customers alike., * Proven experience supporting and managing enterprise IT environments, ideally across multiple sites and geographies.

• Strong hands-on knowledge of Microsoft Azure, Microsoft 365, Windows Server (2016+), Active Directory / Entra ID, and hybrid cloud environments.
• Solid background in networking and security, including VPNs, VLANs, firewalls, backup, disaster recovery, and data centre operations.
• Experience with virtualisation technologies such as VMware, vSphere/ESXi, Hyper-V, or equivalent.
• Excellent troubleshooting skills across hardware, software, and end-user issues.
• Strong stakeholder management and communication skills.
• Working knowledge of information security and compliance frameworks (ISO 27001 or similar).

We are working with a Manchester-headquartered technology business that delivers mission-critical software and services to customers worldwide. Operating in a 24/7, always-on environment, the organisation supports a global user base across multiple regions and works within a highly regulated, security-focused framework. This is a key hire to backfill an existing role and presents a rare opportunity to take full ownership of corporate IT. The successful candidate will sit at both the strategic heart and operational centre of the organisation's IT function, leading a cloud-first estate while remaining hands-on.