Head of IT

Job Title: Head of IT

Reports to: CFO

Overview:

Our client is seeking a hands-on Head of IT to lead its internal IT department. This pivotal role provides both strategic direction and operational leadership for the IT Operations and IT Development teams. As part of the Senior Leadership Team, the ideal candidate will bring a strong blend of leadership, technical expertise, and the ability to mentor a talented IT team.

This role is well-suited for someone who thrives in a dynamic environment, enjoys being deeply involved in strategic decisions and technical problem-solving and is motivated by the challenge of driving operational efficiency. You will collaborate closely with other senior leaders to ensure IT infrastructure supports business goals and continuous improvement.

Key Responsibilities:

Leadership & Strategy 

- Lead the IT department in daily operations, providing strong leadership and guidance.  

- Develop and execute an IT strategy that aligns with the company’s goals and operational needs.  

- Oversee IT budgets, forecasts, and performance metrics.  

- Partner with cross-functional teams to align IT projects with broader business objectives.  

- Lead disaster recovery and business continuity planning efforts.  

Infrastructure Management (Hands-On)  

- Act as the subject matter expert in system administration, particularly with Linux (Red Hat, Debian, CentOS, Rocky).  

- Ensure the reliability and high availability of Linux-based systems.  

- Provide hands-on support for the IT infrastructure, managing day-to-day operations and troubleshooting.  

- Manage and maintain virtual environments (VMWare, Nutanix) and cloud platforms (AWS, Azure).  

- Serve as a point of escalation for the infrastructure engineering team.  

- Lead efforts to secure the company’s infrastructure and systems against potential threats.  

Network Infrastructure (Hands-On)

- Oversee network infrastructure design, implementation, and maintenance across multiple locations.  

- Ensure internal and external networks are secure, scalable, and performant.  

- Manage firewalls (Fortinet) and ensure robust network security measures.  

Project Management

- Lead IT projects from initiation to completion, ensuring they meet timelines and budget constraints.  

- Introduce new tools and technologies to drive efficiency and security improvements.  

Vendor & Stakeholder Management

- Manage relationships with external vendors, service providers, and contractors.  

- Oversee the procurement and maintenance of IT equipment and services.  

Qualifications & Experience:  

- Minimum of 5 years in an IT management/leadership role with a strong hands-on background in IT operations.  

- Extensive experience with Linux server management, preferably in a DevOps environment.  

- Familiarity with Microsoft operating systems is a plus.  

- Solid understanding of networking infrastructure and principles.  

- Proven experience in IT infrastructure design, implementation, and management.  

- Knowledge of cloud platforms (AWS, Azure) and virtualisation.  

- Experience with DevOps tooling and methodologies is a plus.  

- Strong understanding of security protocols, compliance, and data protection regulations.  

Personal Attributes:

- Strong project management skills with experience leading cross-functional teams.  

- Experience managing budgets.  

- Excellent communication and leadership skills.  

- Ability to drive continuous improvement initiatives.  

- Proven ability to manage both remote and office-based teams.  

What Is On Offer: 

- Competitive salary  

- Performance-based profit share scheme  

- 26 days holiday, plus bank holidays  

- Staff discount  

- On-site gym and free parking  

- Casual dress code