IT Operations & Security Manager

Hayward Hawk; Ballymena; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading engineering firm in Northern Ireland is seeking an experienced IT Operations & Security Manager for a 3-month contract. You will lead IT operations, cybersecurity, and manage a talented team across a multi-site environment. The ideal candidate has strong experience in IT management, cyber security, and hands-on knowledge of O365 and Active Directory. This onsite role in Ballymena offers a competitive salary between £60,000 and £70,000 pro rata.

Benefits

Early finish every Friday

Opportunity to make an immediate impact

Qualifications

• Strong experience managing IT infrastructure and operations.
• Proven background in cyber security and incident management.
• Hands-on knowledge across O365, networking, Active Directory, and cloud technologies.
• Certifications such as ITIL or CompTIA Security+ are desirable.

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop a small but high-performing IT team.
• Oversee IT infrastructure across servers, networks, cloud, and on-prem environments.
• Implement and maintain best-in-class security standards.
• Manage vendor relationships and ensure service levels are met.
• Support business continuity, backup, and disaster recovery strategies.

Skills

IT Management

Cyber Essentials

ISO 27001

Problem-solving

Leadership

Communication

Tools

O365

Active Directory

Cloud technologies

Job description

Overview

Hayward Hawk is delighted to be working with one of Northern Ireland’s true success stories — a leading engineering and manufacturing business with a strong reputation for innovation, quality, and growth. They’re now seeking an experienced IT Operations & Security Manager to join the team on a 3-month fixed term contract, leading a talented group of IT professionals and ensuring the reliability, security, and performance of critical infrastructure across the business.

The Role

This is a hands-on management role where you’ll oversee IT operations, infrastructure, and cyber security across a busy multi-site environment. You’ll lead the IT Service Desk and Infrastructure teams, drive continuous improvement, and ensure that IT systems are robust, secure, and aligned with business needs.

You’ll also play a key part in supporting the rollout of a new ERP system — ensuring network, infrastructure, and support readiness throughout the project.

What You’ll Be Doing

• Lead and develop a small but high-performing IT team.
• Oversee IT infrastructure across servers, networks, cloud, and on-prem environments.
• Implement and maintain best-in-class security standards (ISO 27001, Cyber Essentials).
• Manage vendor relationships and ensure service levels are met.
• Support business continuity, backup, and disaster recovery strategies.
• Drive service improvement through ITIL-aligned processes and proactive monitoring.
• Collaborate with stakeholders to ensure technology supports business objectives.

What We’re Looking For

• Strong experience managing IT infrastructure and operations.
• Proven background in cyber security and incident management.
• Strong leadership experience within IT Support or Infrastructure teams.
• Hands-on knowledge across O365, networking, Active Directory, and cloud technologies.
• Excellent communication and problem-solving skills.
• Certifications such as ITIL, CompTIA Security+, or Microsoft/AWS are desirable.
• Experience within a manufacturing environment would be an advantage.

The Package

• £60,000 – £70,000 (pro rata)
• Onsite role based in Ballymena
• Early finish every Friday

Opportunity to make an immediate impact within a high-performing, supportive team.

If you’re a proactive IT leader with a strong blend of technical and people skills — and you’re ready to hit the ground running — we’d love to hear from you.

Apply today for a confidential chat about the role or contact Aaron Pyper.

Skills

Key skills: Cyber Essentials, IT Management, IT Manager, ISO 27001