Head of IT Operational Support

National Trust; Swindon; Hybrid; GBP 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Substantial pension scheme up to 10%

Free entry to National Trust places

Rental deposit loan scheme

Season ticket loan

EV car lease scheme

Perks at work discounts

Holiday allowance up to 32 days

Flexible working

Employee assistance programme

Free parking at most Trust places

Job summary

The National Trust is seeking a Head of IT Operations (Cyber Security & Infrastructure) to lead infrastructure, cloud platforms and cyber security services. This national role requires strong leadership to ensure secure, reliable and resilient technology services for colleagues, volunteers and visitors.

You will shape technology strategy, manage budgets and suppliers, drive operational excellence and incident response, and build a high-performing team within a flexible hybrid work model.

Qualifications

• Senior leadership experience within IT Operations, Infrastructure and Cyber Security.
• Proven track record delivering operational resilience and service improvement programmes.
• Experience managing major incidents and cyber security events.
• Experience leading outsourced and multi-supplier service environments.
• Knowledge of cyber security frameworks such as NIST or ISO27001.

Responsibilities

• Provide leadership across infrastructure, cloud platforms, networks, cyber security operations and technical services.
• Develop and deliver infrastructure and cyber security strategies that align with organisational priorities.
• Drive operational excellence through service management, automation and modern engineering approaches.
• Lead the response to major incidents and cyber security events, ensuring effective recovery and continuous improvement.
• Oversee budgets, investment plans and technology roadmaps, balancing operational risk and long-term value.

Skills

Senior leadership

IT Operations

Infrastructure

Cyber Security

Cloud technologies

Networking

Budget management

Supplier governance

Stakeholder management

Technology strategy

Education

Cyber security qualification (CISSP/CCNP/Microsoft)

Job description

Summary

We're looking for a technology leader to join us as our Head of IT Operations (Cyber Security & Infrastructure). This is a critical leadership role responsible for ensuring our technology infrastructure, cyber security services and operational platforms are secure, resilient and fit for purpose. You'll lead a talented team and work closely with strategic partners to provide the foundations that enable colleagues, volunteers and visitors to benefit from reliable, secure and modern technology services. As a member of the senior IT leadership team, you'll help shape technology strategy, drive operational excellence and strengthen organisational resilience, ensuring technology continues to support our mission and long-term objectives. Internally you'll be known as Head of IT Operational Support.

What It's Like To Work Here

Reporting to the IT Operations Director, you'll be responsible for infrastructure, cyber security and operational technology services across the organisation. You'll work closely with the Head of Operations, Heads of IT Delivery, IT Assurance, IT Digital and Data, as well as senior stakeholders across the business, helping to shape technology strategy while ensuring secure, reliable and resilient services. You’ll influence strategic decisions, drive continuous improvement and strengthen our technology foundations. As this is a national role, there is flexibility on your contractual place of work. Our hybrid working policy means you can balance office and home working with site visits and meetings at other National Trust places. We’ll talk about this in more detail at interview, but you should expect to be at a National Trust site for 40–60% of your working week.

What You'll Be Doing

As Head of IT Operations (Cyber Security & Infrastructure), you'll provide leadership across infrastructure, cloud platforms, networks, cyber security operations and technical services, ensuring critical technology services remain secure, resilient and high performing. You'll develop and deliver infrastructure and cyber security strategies that align with organisational priorities, while strengthening cyber resilience, disaster recovery and business continuity capabilities. Working closely with strategic suppliers and internal stakeholders, you'll drive operational excellence through service management best practice, automation and modern engineering approaches. Leading the response to major incidents and cyber security events, you’ll ensure effective recovery and continuous improvement. You'll also oversee budgets, investment plans and technology roadmaps, balancing operational risk, innovation and long-term value, while developing a high-performing team where colleagues can grow and thrive.

Who We're Looking For

• Senior leadership experience within IT Operations, Infrastructure and Cyber Security with experience developing diverse teams, creating an inclusive culture where different perspectives are valued.
• Strong knowledge of cloud technologies, enterprise infrastructure, networking and Cyber Security controls and a proven track record of delivering operational resilience and service improvement programmes.
• Extensive experience managing Strategic Cyber Security risks, identifying threats, implementing proportionate controls and leading remediation programmes that strengthen organisational resilience.
• Experience leading outsourced and multi-supplier service environments.
• Experience managing major incidents, cyber security events and recovery activities.
• Strong financial and commercial acumen, including budget management and supplier governance.
• Strong stakeholder management and influencing skills, including engagement with executive-level colleagues.
• Experience developing technology strategy and translating this into practical, deliverable plans.
• Relevant mid-high tier qualification in Cyber Security and Infrastructure e.g. CISSP (Certified Information Systems Security Professional), Cisco CCNP Enterprise, Microsoft Associate-level accreditation, or equivalent, and are committed to keeping up to date with emerging technology. Knowledge of cyber security frameworks such as NIST or ISO27001.

The package

The National Trust has the motto ‘For everyone, for ever’ at its heart. We’re working hard to create an inclusive culture, where everyone feels they belong. It’s important that our people reflect and represent the diversity of the communities and audiences we serve. We welcome and value difference, so when we say we’re for everyone, we want everyone to be welcome in our teams too.

• Substantial pension scheme of up to 10% basic salary
• Free entry to National Trust places for you, a guest and your children (under 18)
• Rental deposit loan scheme
• Season ticket loan
• EV car lease scheme (for roles that meet the salary criteria)
• Perks at work discounts such as gym memberships, shopping discount codes, cinema discounts
• Holiday allowance up to 32 days relating to length of service, plus holiday purchase scheme, subject to meeting minimum criteria.
• Flexible working whenever possible
• Employee assistance programme
• Free parking at most Trust places

Click here to find out more about the benefits we offer to support you.

National Trust place

Heelis, Kemble Drive, Swindon, SN2 2NA

Documents

Head of IT Operational Support - Grade 3.pdf

Requirements

Compliance.Eligibility to Work in the UK

Closing Date: 06 September 2026

If you need any help with your application, i.e. due to technical difficulties, please call us on 0370 240 0274 or email us at [e-mail]

If you require an adjustment to the application process, for example due to disability or medical condition, please call us on 0370 240 0274 or email us at [e-mail] and we'll support you as best as we can. For examples of how, please see our supporting you page.

Equal Opportunities Statement

The National Trust celebrates diversity and is committed to creating a fair and equal society, free from discrimination. You can read more about our commitment to inclusion and diversity here.

Safeguarding Statement

The National Trust is committed to a safe recruitment processes to help the organisation attract and appoint the right staff/volunteer for the role and responsibilities as set out in the vacancy advert. We will not accept applicants who are not suitable to work with children, young people or adults at risk. If you have any questions around your suitability for this vacancy, contact the people service centre.

Please note we reserve the right to close this advert early and therefore we encourage you to apply for this position early.