IT Manager

Hawk 3 Talent Solutions; Stafford; On-site; GBP 50,000 - 55,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Company Pension Scheme

4x Life Insurance

23 Days Annual Leave plus Bank Hols

Permanent Office-Based Position

Job summary

Hawk 3 Talent Solutions is seeking an experienced IT Manager to lead the IT function within a growing business in Stoke-on-Trent. You will own IT infrastructure, systems, cybersecurity strategy, and technology projects while supporting UK and international operations.

The role reports to the Managing Director, with one direct report, an IT Analyst. This hands-on leadership role combines strategic thinking with delivering robust IT services, driving improvements, and ensuring secure, efficient,

Qualifications

• 5-10 years' experience in IT infrastructure management, systems administration, and networking.
• Experience managing IT budgets, vendors, and procurement.
• Strong cybersecurity knowledge, risk management, and security compliance.
• Proven project management experience delivering IT projects.
• Experience leading or mentoring IT staff.
• Excellent communication with stakeholders at all levels.
• Experience with ERP/MRP migrations.
• Familiarity with cloud computing technologies.
• Experience with Microsoft Dynamics AX and Atlassian tools (Jira/Confluence).

Responsibilities

• IT Infrastructure Management: manage servers, networks, cloud, and hardware/software solutions.
• Cybersecurity & compliance: implement security policies and risk assessments.
• Project Management: lead IT projects from planning through deployment within scope and budget.
• Stakeholder & Vendor Management: liaise with internal and external partners, manage vendors.
• Global Technology Support: collaborate with international IT teams and implement solutions.
• Budget & Resource Management: oversee IT budgets and procurement.
• Team Leadership: mentor IT Analyst and drive continuous improvement.

Skills

IT infrastructure management

Cybersecurity

Project management

Budget management

Vendor management

Team leadership

Stakeholder communication

Disaster recovery planning

ERP/MRP migrations

Cloud computing

Tools

Jira

Confluence

Microsoft Dynamics AX

Job description

IT Manager

Location: Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire (ST1)

Salary: £50,000 - £55,000 per annum

Hours: 37.5 hours per week (typically 9:00am - 5:00pm, with flexibility required depending on project demands)

Permanent, Office-Based role

The Role

Hawk 3 Talent Solutions are seeking an experienced and proactive IT Manager to lead and develop the IT function within a growing business. Reporting directly to the Managing Director, you will take ownership of the company's IT infrastructure, systems, cybersecurity strategy, and technology projects while supporting both UK and international operations. You will have one direct report who is a IT Analyst.

This is a hands-on leadership role where you will be responsible for maintaining robust IT systems, driving continuous improvements, managing key technology projects, and ensuring the business remains secure, efficient, and future-focused.

Key Responsibilities

IT Infrastructure Management

• Manage server environments, network configurations, cloud infrastructure, and hardware/software solutions.
• Ensure system reliability, performance, and scalability across the business.
• Maintain and optimise IT operations to support business growth.

Cybersecurity & Compliance

• Develop and implement security protocols and policies.
• Conduct risk assessments and support incident response activities.
• Ensure compliance with data protection and information security regulations.
• Lead disaster recovery and business continuity planning initiatives.

Project Management

• Lead IT projects from planning through to successful deployment.
• Deliver projects within agreed scope, timescales, and budgets.
• Support software implementations, system upgrades, and technology transformation initiatives.
• Play a key role in ERP/MRP system improvements and migrations.

Stakeholder & Vendor Management

• Build strong relationships with internal stakeholders and external suppliers.
• Manage technology vendors, software providers, and service partners.
• Present technical information clearly to non-technical stakeholders.

Global Technology Support

• Collaborate with international colleagues and regional IT teams.
• Recommend, develop, implement, and support technology solutions across the wider organisation.
• Assist in the development and implementation of IT policies, procedures, and best practices.

Budget & Resource Management

• Manage IT budgets and technology expenditure.
• Drive cost efficiencies while maintaining service quality.
• Support procurement activities and contract negotiations.

Team Leadership

• Provide leadership and support to the IT Analyst.
• Encourage professional development and continuous improvement.
• Foster a culture of innovation and high performance.

About You

• 5-10 years' experience in IT infrastructure management, systems administration, and network operations.
• Previous experience managing or mentoring IT staff.
• Strong project management experience with successful delivery of IT projects.
• Excellent understanding of cybersecurity principles, risk management, and security compliance.
• Experience with networking technologies including firewalls, VPNs, routers, and switches.
• Strong knowledge of systems administration and database management.
• Experience managing IT budgets, vendors, and technology procurement.
• Understanding of IT service management frameworks and operational best practices.
• Experience developing disaster recovery and business continuity strategies.
• Excellent communication skills with the ability to engage stakeholders at all levels.
• Strong analytical, organisational, and problem‑solving abilities.

Desirable Experience

• Experience with ERP or MRP system migrations.
• Knowledge of cloud computing technologies.
• Exposure to IoT and AI/ML solutions.
• Experience using Microsoft Dynamics AX.
• Familiarity with Atlassian tools including Jira and Confluence.

Benefits

• Company Pension Scheme
• 4x Life Insurance
• 23 Days Annual Leave plus Bank Holidays
• Permanent Office-Based Position
• Opportunity to work closely with senior leadership

Based in Stoke-on-Trent, this role is commutable from Newcastle-under-Lyme, Stafford, Stone, Crewe, Uttoxeter, Cannock, Congleton, Leek, Macclesfield and surrounding areas.

Closing date is 12.11.2026 Please note this could change subject to suitable applications.

By applying for the above position and providing your personal data to us you understand that your data will be processed in line with our Privacy Policy. To view our full Privacy Policy please visit our website.

Hawk 3 Talent Solutions are committed to the selection, recruitment and development of the best people, basing judgements solely on suitability for the job. Whilst we endeavour to respond to all applications individually, due to high volumes, this is not always possible. Thank you for your interest in this role and we look forward to working with you in the future