Operational IT Manager

Arena Racing Company; Windsor; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

A major UK leisure and entertainment company is seeking an Operational IT Manager based in Windsor. This role involves overseeing IT systems operations, event support, and engineering team coordination. The ideal candidate will have experience in IT support and project coordination, excellent communication skills, and a full UK driving licence. Great opportunities for growth and a variety of employee benefits are on offer. Join a dynamic team in a thriving industry.

Benefits

22 to 28 days annual leave

Employee Health Cash Plan

Life assurance scheme

Qualifications

• Demonstrable project coordination skills in IT support.
• Experience delivering operational IT systems.
• Ability to meet seasonal and irregular work demands.
• Strong documentation and process improvement skills.
• Full UK driving licence is essential.

Responsibilities

• Manage IT schedules and support coverage 24/7.
• Create and maintain IT documentation and policies.
• Assist with overseeing IT Helpdesk functionality.
• Coordinate project delivery and support engineering team.

Skills

IT support / engineering

Project coordination

Organisational skills

Excellent communication skills

Positive leadership potential

Understanding of networking

Telephony experience

Tools

Office 365 administration

Job description

About us

Arena Racing Company does so much more than lead the UK’s largest horse racing group. We have 21 racing venues showcasing horse racing, greyhound racing, golf courses, hotels and events. In short, leisure, entertainment, media production and global distribution are at the heart of what we do, making it an exciting and diverse place to work!

Our success is a team effort which is why we offer great opportunities for growth, development and career progression. After all, it’s our employees that enable us to offer first class service and create an electric atmosphere, all within an industry we love.

About the role

We are looking for an Operational IT Manager to join our IT team. Based at Windsor racecourse with regular travel across our sites, the Operational IT Manager will support the Head of IT with all aspects of IT Systems in an operational environment, planning, delivering race day and event operations, operational matters, end user support, process documentation, service desk & asset management & Engineer team rota. The successful candidate will also provide operational management support to the Head of IT, acting as deputy when appropriate.

Key Responsibilities for the role

• Manage IT rotas, engineer scheduling and support coverage ensuring 24 / 7, 365 coverage.
• Personal presence at feature and premium raceday’s / events
• Create & maintain IT documentation, policies, SOP and best practice guides.
• Maintain and monitor asset management and IT inventory tracking.
• Assist with overseeing IT Helpdesk functionality meeting SLAs; end user management.
• Coordinate project delivery and provide support to the engineer team in all aspects of ARC IT according to the processes already in place.
• Act as deputy to the Head of IT for escalation & holiday / absence cover.
• Build on relationships with existing established suppliers and partners to deliver appropriate resolutions, quicky and efficiently.
• Work with the Engineers to deliver internal training and coaching to staff / teams to maximise software utilisation (e.g. Sharepoint, Ticketing)
• Involvement with new project and system incorporation / deliverability
• Budgeting, keeping within the IT Budget for hardware support, internet lines, subscriptions etc
• Procurement of hardware; screens, PC, phones etc
• Provide project oversight, ensuring engineers follow consistent processes.

About You

• Experience in IT support / engineering with demonstrable project coordination skills. The incumbent will need to understand the complexities of delivering operational IT systems in a unique environment and be able to think on their feet and react to fast moving situations.
• The ability and desire to meet seasonal / irregular work demands
• Strong organisational, documentation and process improvement ability.
• Excellent communication skills, able to easily liaise with stakeholders across the business in an appropriate and positive fashion being mindful that this well established and respected team is a key service delivery to the wider business.
• Positive leadership potential with ability to develop further.
• Full UK driving licence essential
• Desirable : Experience of Office 365 administration, understanding of networking (switches / VLANs / WANs)
• Telephony (lines & equipment) experience

What ARC can offer you.…

Days Out & Leave

• Want to experience a day on the other side? 2 Annual Members badges, giving access to over 500 race days, as well as discounts on hospitality & room rates at ARC venues
• Because we value work-life balance we offer an annual leave entitlement starting at 22 days plus bank and public holidays- increasing on your work anniversaries up to 28 days!

Because your health & wellbeing comes first

• Company life assurance scheme
• Employee Health Cash Plan
• Cycle to work scheme

And so much more! We are on a thrilling journey. So, to join us at our next destination, be part of a winning team and to learn more about our company and this exciting opportunity apply today.

At ARC, we believe that a diverse, equitable and inclusive workplace makes us a more relevant, more competitive, and more resilient company. We welcome people from all backgrounds, ethnicities, cultures, and experiences. We are an equal opportunities employer and do not discriminate on the grounds of gender, sexual orientation, marital or civil partner status, pregnancy or maternity, gender reassignment, race, colour, nationality, ethnic or national origin, religion or belief, disability or age. We also consider qualified applicants regardless of criminal histories, consistent with legal requirements.