Infrastructure & Cyber Security Lead

LEYF Nurseries; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 100,000 - 125,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading nursery group in the UK is seeking a hands-on Infrastructure & Cyber Security Manager who will design and implement robust, scalable IT systems. This role requires technical leadership and hands-on experience in cyber security and infrastructure. You'll work closely with various stakeholders to enhance security operations and compliance, all while enjoying a hybrid working environment, childcare discounts, and comprehensive benefits including 26 holiday days.

Benefits

Childcare discount – 70% off nursery fees

26 days’ holiday including Christmas closure

7% employer pension

Well-being support

Qualifications

• Proven experience leading infrastructure and cyber security functions.
• Strong technical knowledge of Microsoft cloud environments.
• Experience with IAM, penetration testing, and automation tools.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement infrastructure and cyber security strategies.
• Lead the design and optimisation of cloud-based architecture.
• Manage security operations including incident response.

Skills

Technical leadership

Hands-on experience in infrastructure and cyber security

Excellent stakeholder engagement

Strong understanding of Microsoft technologies

Collaboration and trust-building

Tools

Microsoft Azure

Intune

Active Directory

Job description

At London Early Years Foundation (LEYF), we’re proud to be London’s best-rated nursery group - and a social enterprise that reinvests every penny back into our children, families and teams.

We’re at an exciting stage of our digital evolution and looking for someone to help shape what comes next.

Love infrastructure and cyber security and want to lead both?

This newly created role is a unique opportunity for a hands‑on technical manager who’s ready to influence strategy, improve systems, and drive meaningful change.

As our Infrastructure & Cyber Security Manager, you’ll take ownership of our IT infrastructure and security landscape, designing and delivering a robust, scalable, and secure environment that supports the whole organisation. You’ll work closely with senior stakeholders, technical partners, and internal teams to make sure we’re not just protected but future‑ready.

You’ll be joining at a pivotal time, with a chance to shape long‑term direction while staying close to the detail. There are no direct reports for now, but you’ll help shape future team structures as we grow.

We’re looking for someone who can do the doing, but also step back, lead, and build something better.

What You’ll Be Doing

• Develop and implement infrastructure and cyber security strategies aligned with organisational goals
• Lead the design and optimisation of our cloud‑based architecture (primarily Azure)
• Oversee identity and access management (IAM) and related policies
• Deliver automation initiatives that improve scalability and efficiency
• Manage security operations including penetration testing, incident response, and risk assessments
• Ensure compliance with GDPR, Cyber Essentials, and other relevant frameworks
• Drive awareness and education on cyber security across the organisation
• Maintain and enhance disaster recovery and business continuity plans
• Influence senior leaders and tech partners to drive strategic improvements

We’re Looking for Someone Who Is :

• A confident technical leader with strong hands‑on experience across infrastructure and cyber security
• Comfortable switching between strategy and execution - thinking long‑term while solving problems day to day
• Experienced with Microsoft technologies including Azure, Active Directory, and Intune
• Familiar with cloud‑native tools, automation, and security frameworks
• Calm under pressure, collaborative, and excellent at building trust with stakeholders
• Ideally experienced in the charity or education sectors - but we welcome all backgrounds

Essential Skills & Experience

• Proven experience leading infrastructure and cyber security functions
• Strong technical knowledge of Microsoft cloud environments
• Experience with IAM, penetration testing, and automation tools
• Good understanding of compliance frameworks (e.g. GDPR, Cyber Essentials)
• Excellent stakeholder engagement and communication skills

Desirable :

• Relevant certifications such as Microsoft SC-300, CISSP, AWS Security, or CISM
• Experience in non‑profit, education, or mission‑driven organisations
• Knowledge of Cyber Essentials Plus and ISO27001 frameworks

Why You’ll Love It Here

This is more than just a technical role, it’s a chance to shape something meaningful. You’ll be joining a trusted, supportive team where you can make a visible difference and help us build secure, scalable systems that support thousands of children across London.

Here’s what else we offer :

• Make an impact – Your work underpins the success of our nurseries and helps deliver our mission
• Freedom to improve – We trust you to spot opportunities and make things better
• Hybrid working – 2 days in the office, with flexibility and a family‑friendly culture
• Childcare discount – 70% off nursery fees for your children or grandchildren
• Time to recharge – 26 days’ holiday (including Christmas closure), your birthday off, and bank holidays
• Good benefits – 7% employer pension, well‑being support, staff discounts, and team events

We know diverse teams build stronger organisations and we welcome you just as you are.

Ready to apply?

If you're a hands‑on infrastructure and cyber security manager who’s ready to make a difference, we’d love to hear from you.

We’re reviewing applications as they come in, so don’t wait too long!