IT Manager
Location: Guildford (Hybrid Working Available)
An exciting opportunity has arisen for an innovative and forward-thinking IT Manager to lead the IT function and ensure the seamless delivery of IT services across the business. This role will oversee end-to-end IT service delivery, supporting engineering teams and wider business operations across on-premise and cloud environments.
You will take ownership of the IT strategy and roadmap, manage budgets, lead a high-performing team, and ensure systems remain secure, scalable and aligned with current and emerging technologies.
Key ResponsibilitiesTeam Leadership
* Lead and manage the IT department, including recruitment, performance management, development, mentoring and wellbeing.
* Build a culture of collaboration, continuous improvement and customer-focused service delivery.
* Ensure appropriate resourcing, capability and planning to deliver IT services across engineering, production and wider business functions.
* Proactively manage workload planning and resolve resource constraints or shifting priorities.
IT Service Management
* Develop and maintain IT strategy and roadmaps aligned with business goals.
* Manage budgets, ensuring strong financial control and reporting.
* Act as a senior technology advisor, providing regular updates to senior leadership.
* Ensure the availability, performance, reliability, security and scalability of IT systems, networks and applications across hybrid infrastructure.
* Maintain compliance with key standards and regulations including GDPR, ISO 9001, ISO 27001 and Cyber Essentials Plus.
* Ensure all services and applications are licensed, maintained and kept up to date.
* Deliver high-quality IT support and service delivery aligned to ITIL best practice.
Out of Hours Support
* Coordinate effective communication and resolution of issues during out-of-hours support and service calls.
Stakeholder Management
* Work closely with internal stakeholders across engineering, projects, production and sales to align IT priorities.
* Conduct regular service reviews and provide reporting ahead of key meetings, demonstrating performance against KPIs, SLAs and contractual obligations.
Risk & Incident Management
* Develop and maintain risk management strategies to minimise service disruption.
* Lead incident response and ensure timely resolution, minimal business impact and clear communication.
* Ensure outages and performance issues are handled effectively within agreed service levels.
Continuous Improvement & Projects
* Identify opportunities to improve service delivery processes, tools and operational efficiency.
* Drive improvements through best practice and emerging technologies.
* Oversee IT projects from initiation through to delivery.
Bids, Proposals & Contract Management
* Provide technical and commercial input into proposals for new missions.
* Support customer contract negotiations and extension proposals.
* Ensure services meet contractual and security obligations.
* Manage supplier relationships including MSPs and third-party vendors, negotiating service levels where required.
Required Experience
* Proven experience working in an IT Manager position.
* Strong experience managing budgets, vendors and IT projects.
* Experience supporting and maintaining hybrid IT environments (on-premise and cloud).
Qualifications / Skills
* Degree in Computing / Information Security (or equivalent experience).
* ITIL, CISA or CISSP beneficial but not essential.
* Must be able to attain and maintain National Security Vetting (minimum SC level).
* Strong technical IT background with a strategic mindset.
* Proven leadership and people management experience.
* Strong communication skills with the ability to influence stakeholders at all levels.
* Highly organised with excellent project and time management skills.
* Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities.
* Customer-focused and able to manage technical relationships confidently.
* Results-driven, adaptable and comfortable working in fast-paced environments.
* Ability to view technology as a business enabler, not a blocker.