IT Operations & Security Lead

Opus Recruitment Solutions Limited; Lancashire; Hybrid; GBP 85,000 - 115,000; Full time

Job summary

Opus Recruitment Solutions Limited in Manchester is seeking an experienced IT Service & Security Lead to own IT service delivery, infrastructure, and cyber security across a multi-site international business. This hands-on leadership role drives reliable services, strong security posture, and continuous improvement across cloud, endpoints, networks, and third-party providers.

You will manage day-to-day service delivery, security operations, Microsoft 365 and identity management, oversee MSPs,

Qualifications

• Experience leading IT service delivery across multiple sites with incident, change and problem management.
• Strong focus on cyber security, risk management, and security roadmap development.
• Experience managing outsourced IT providers and ensuring SLA performance.
• Hands-on with Microsoft 365, identity management, and endpoint security.

Responsibilities

• Lead day-to-day IT service delivery including incident, request, change and problem management.
• Own and advance the organisation's cyber security posture and risk processes.
• Manage security operations: monitoring, threat detection, incident response and vulnerabilities.
• Oversee Microsoft 365, Intune, identity management and cloud apps.
• Coordinate MSPs/MDR/SOC providers and ensure SLAs are met.
• Lead security awareness and phishing simulation initiatives.
• Produce security and service performance reports for leadership.

Skills

IT service delivery

Cyber security

Leadership

Stakeholder management

Cloud technologies

Education

ITIL certification

Microsoft certifications

Tools

Microsoft 365

Azure AD/Entra ID

Intune

SIEM/XDR

Job description

Location: Manchester (3-4 days onsite, negotiable)

Employment Type: Permanent

Overview:

We are seeking an experienced IT Service & Security Lead to take ownership of IT service delivery, infrastructure, and cyber security across a multi-site international business. This is a hands-on leadership role responsible for ensuring reliable IT services, maintaining a strong security posture, and driving continuous improvement across cloud technologies, endpoints, networks, and third-party service providers.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead day-to-day IT service delivery, including incident, request, change, and problem management.
• Own and enhance the organisation's cyber security posture, risk management processes, and security roadmap.
• Manage security operations, including monitoring, threat detection, incident response, and vulnerability management.
• Oversee Microsoft 365, Intune, identity management, endpoint security, and cloud applications.
• Manage outsourced IT service providers and ensure delivery against agreed SLAs and performance targets.
• Lead security awareness initiatives, user training, and phishing simulation programmes.
• Own access management, joiner/mover/leaver processes, and periodic access reviews.
• Manage network infrastructure across multiple sites, including connectivity, switching, and wireless environments.
• Maintain backup, disaster recovery, and business continuity arrangements, including regular testing.
• Oversee IT asset management, licensing, budgeting, and technology refresh planning.
• Produce service and security performance reports for senior leadership.
• Provide infrastructure and security expertise for business and technology projects.
• Line manage IT support personnel and coordinate support across multiple locations.
• Proven experience leading IT service delivery within a multi-site environment.
• Strong administration experience across Microsoft 365, Azure AD/Entra ID, Intune, Conditional Access, and endpoint management.
• Hands-on cyber security experience, including SIEM/XDR platforms, incident response, threat detection, and vulnerability remediation.
• Experience managing Managed Service Providers (MSPs), Service Desk partners, or MDR/SOC providers.
• Knowledge of security frameworks such as ISO 27001, NIST, or Cyber Essentials Plus.
• Strong understanding of networking, infrastructure, identity, access management, and endpoint security.
• Experience producing service metrics, managing SLAs, and driving service improvements.
• Previous leadership or line management experience.
• Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills.
• Experience supporting manufacturing, warehousing, distribution, or operational environments.
• ITIL certification or strong IT Service Management experience.
• Experience supporting international users across multiple time zones.
• Microsoft certifications.
• Experience implementing Microsoft Purview and information protection controls.

What's on Offer

• High-ownership leadership role with broad responsibility across IT Operations and Security.
• Opportunity to shape and mature security and service delivery practices.
• International business environment with exposure to multiple regions and stakeholders.
• Manchester-based role with 3-4 days onsite (negotiable).