Group IT Infrastructure Manager

Group IT Infrastructure Manager

Supporting over 300 users across our sites in the UK, Ireland, Scotland, and Dubai, the Group IT Infrastructure Manager leads a team of skilled IT individuals, fostering a collaborative and service-focused culture. From delivering large-scale infrastructure projects to ensuring the seamless day-to-day operation of critical systems, the IT Infrastructure will work on meaningful projects, collaborate with cross functional teams, and directly influence the success of our organisation.

Strategic Leadership & Collaboration • Serve as an engaged and approachable leader, maintaining a presence across all locations. • Collaborate with departments and business units to understand IT requirements and deliver proactive solutions. • Actively participate in management meetings to provide IT expertise and support organisational goals. • Support other departments during peak periods to ensure smooth and efficient operations across the group. Infrastructure & Operations Management • Manage daily IT operations, including server hardware, software, operating systems, and network infrastructure. • Coordinate the installation, upgrade, and maintenance of technology systems. • Oversee the procurement and implementation of new and replacement hardware and software. • Ensure optimal performance by testing, troubleshooting, and enhancing IT systems. WAN Infrastructure & Security • Coordinate and manage a resilient WAN infrastructure to ensure reliable connectivity and performance across all sites. • Implement and maintain robust security measures. • Identify and address vulnerabilities through proactive patching and updates to maintain compliance with security standards. Disaster Recovery & Business Continuity • Develop and maintain disaster recovery plans and backup procedures. • Evaluate technology risks and implement measures to minimise disruption to business operations. Conduct regular testing of IT and site-wide Disaster Recovery (DR) and Business Continuity Plans (BCP). Project Management • Lead the delivery of large-scale infrastructure projects, including deployments, upgrades, and migrations. • Collaborate with the MIS Team to align infrastructure plans with software and organisational roadmaps. • Develop detailed project plans, allocate resources, and deliver projects on time and within budget. Budget & Vendor Management • Oversee the annual IT budget, ensuring cost-effective resource allocation and tracking expenditure. • Maintain strong relationships with infrastructure vendors, negotiating contracts and ensuring SLA compliance. Team Leadership & Development • Strong leadership and management abilities, with excellent time management and multitasking skills. • Lead, mentor, and develop a team of 3rd Line Engineers and the Helpdesk team, ensuring their professional growth, technical excellence, career progression, accountability and collaboration. • Oversee the Helpdesk operations, ensuring effective resolution of user issues and consistently high customer satisfaction. • Foster a collaborative, service-oriented, and growth-focused culture within the IT team, promoting continuous learning and skill development across all levels. Technology Advancement • Stay current with technological trends and industry best practices, recommending and implementing innovations to enhance IT operations. • Drive continuous improvement initiatives to optimise infrastructure and align IT services with business needs. • Align IT infrastructure and projects with the organisation’s long-term goals. Analytical Skills • Analytical and problem-solving skills with a keen attention to detail. Flexibility • Flexibility to work evenings, weekends, and public holidays as needed.

Essential Skills and Experience Networking • Proficiency in networking, including administration, installation, and troubleshooting (ideally to CCNA level). • Experience with enterprise-grade networking solutions, including Cisco, Fortinet, and Rukus, with a focus on performance optimisation and security. • Knowledge of advanced network configurations, including VLANs, VPNs, firewalls, and QoS settings to support high availability environments. Hardware & Infrastructure • Strong knowledge of computer hardware, cabling standards, wireless technology, and IT security protocols. • Hands-on experience with server infrastructure, including rack-mounted servers, RAID configurations, and SAN/NAS storage systems. • Knowledge of monitoring tools such as SolarWinds, Nagios, or PRTG to ensure optimal system performance. Microsoft Technologies • Experience with Windows Server (2012-2025) for active directory management, group policy configuration, and system administration. • Knowledge of Exchange Online for email infrastructure. • Knowledge of Azure AD for identity and access management, including integration with hybrid environments. • Knowledge of Microsoft Intune/JAMF • Advanced knowledge of Office 365 suite/Windows OS 10/11 administration, licensing, and support. Virtualisation & Cloud Platforms • Experience with virtualisation platforms such as Hyper-V and VMware, including resource allocation, snapshot management, and fault tolerance. • Familiarity with cloud-based solutions, including Microsoft Azure, AWS, or Google Cloud Platform, with knowledge of migration strategies and cost optimisation. Communication Systems & Peripherals • Experience with VoIP systems for enterprise telephony deployment and management. • Understanding of IP CCTV systems, including camera configuration, storage management, and integration with networked systems. Backup & Disaster Recovery • Proficiency with backup and recovery tools like Veeam for ensuring business continuity. • Experience in setting up and maintaining disaster recovery solutions, including replication and failover configurations. Security & Compliance • Strong understanding of IT security standards and best practices, including firewalls, endpoint protection, and threat detection systems. • Knowledge of compliance frameworks, such as ISO 27001 and GDPR, and experience implementing security audits. • Familiarity with SIEM tools like Splunk or Microsoft Sentinel for real-time monitoring and security incident response. Operating Systems & Other Tools • Good knowledge of Linux distributions (e.g., Ubuntu, CentOS) for server administration and scripting. • Experience with automation and scripting tools such as PowerShell, Bash, or Python to streamline IT operations. • Familiarity with ITSM platforms like ServiceNow, Fresh Service, or similar for managing IT support workflows. Soft Skills • Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to diagnose and resolve complex technical issues. • Excellent communication and collaboration skills to work effectively with stakeholders at all levels. • Highly organised with the ability to prioritise tasks and manage multiple projects simultaneously. • Demonstrated ability to inspire and lead teams toward achieving shared goals, fostering accountability, innovation, and continuous improvement

Certifications and Standards • MCSE - essential • ITIL Qualification - essential • CCNA or equivalent networking certification - essential • CISSP or CompTIA Security+ - desirable • ISO27001 Experience - desirable • PRINCE2 - desirable