IT Operations Lead – Infra, Security & Resilience

Ashdown Group; Essex; On-site; GBP 63,000 - 77,000; Full time

Job summary

Ashdown Group is seeking an experienced IT Operations Manager to lead the infrastructure and support services in Chelmsford, Essex. You will oversee day‑to‑day IT operations, support a small technical team and drive improvements across infrastructure, cybersecurity and business resilience.

Reporting to the IT Director, you will balance operational delivery with longer‑term planning, managing suppliers, budgets and a technology roadmap to ensure reliable, secure services for the business.

Qualifications

• Proven experience in IT infrastructure, technical operations or IT service delivery with the ability to troubleshoot complex issues and lead a small technical team.
• Strong knowledge of Microsoft 365, Windows environments, networking and core IT infrastructure.
• Sound understanding of cybersecurity, access management, endpoint protection, vulnerability management and disaster recovery.

Responsibilities

• Lead the IT support function, ensuring incidents and service requests are resolved efficiently and colleagues receive an excellent service.
• Manage, coach and develop the Infrastructure & Support team, promoting accountability, collaboration and continuous improvement.
• Oversee IT infrastructure, including servers, networking, connectivity, Microsoft 365, cloud services and endpoints.
• Strengthen cybersecurity, manage technical risks and maintain effective backup, disaster recovery and business continuity arrangements.
• Plan and deliver infrastructure and security projects, ensuring changes are managed safely and effectively.
• Identify opportunities to improve system reliability, service quality, efficiency and cost‑effectiveness.
• Manage external suppliers, technical support partners, IT assets and technology procurement.
• Contribute to infrastructure strategy, budgets and the longer‑term technical roadmap.

Skills

Leadership

IT Operations

Cybersecurity

Incident management

Communication

Tools

Microsoft 365

Windows Server

Networking

Virtualisation

Job description

Ashdown Group is seeking an experienced IT Operations Manager to lead the infrastructure and support services in Chelmsford, Essex. You will oversee day‑to‑day IT operations, support a small technical team and drive improvements across infrastructure, cybersecurity and business resilience.

Reporting to the IT Director, you will balance operational delivery with longer‑term planning, managing suppliers, budgets and a technology roadmap to ensure reliable, secure services for the business.