Security-Cleared IT Operations & Infra Lead | Hybrid Cloud

La Fosse; Rugby; Hybrid; GBP 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

La Fosse is seeking an experienced Head of IT Operations & Infrastructure to lead and grow the UK IT operations function within a security-conscious environment. This senior role covers infrastructure, end-user services, IT service management and Defence environments, with a focus on modernising to a hybrid-cloud model while preserving security and resilience.

You will translate technology strategy into practical operational delivery, build teams, implement processes and establish KPIs to

Qualifications

• Significant experience leading IT Operations, Infrastructure or IT Service Management functions.
• Experience operating within UK Defence, government, nuclear, critical national infrastructure or security-sensitive environments.
• Strong ITIL/IT service management knowledge with evidence of improving operational processes.
• Active SC Security Clearance is essential.

Responsibilities

• Lead day-to-day UK IT operations, ensuring infrastructure and services remain secure, reliable and effective.
• Own IT service management across incident, problem, change, request, asset and configuration management.
• Lead multidisciplinary teams across infrastructure, networks, cloud, service desk, end-user technology and identity management.
• Establish clear service ownership, operational KPIs, performance reporting and continuous improvement processes.
• Oversee the operational lifecycle of servers, storage, networks, endpoints and collaboration platforms.
• Drive infrastructure modernisation, including hybrid-cloud adoption, Microsoft Azure, Azure Virtual Desktop and modern endpoint management.
• Take responsibility for the operation and ongoing maturity of the UK Defence technology environment, ensuring appropriate access, support and change controls.
• Work closely with Cyber Security and Information Security teams to maintain security controls and meet Defence assurance requirements.
• Oversee disaster recovery, cyber recovery, backup and wider operational resilience capabilities.
• Build and develop a scalable UK IT operations function, establishing clear team structures, responsibilities and development plans.
• Manage third-party suppliers and work with global technology teams to ensure services meet UK operational and security requirements.
• Ensure new technology solutions have appropriate operational support models before transitioning into BAU.
• Translate strategic technology initiatives into practical operational plans, supporting wider infrastructure, cloud and workplace transformation programmes.
• Significant experience leading IT Operations, Infrastructure or IT Service Management functions.
• Proven experience managing multidisciplinary IT teams across infrastructure, networks, service desk, cloud and end-user technology.
• Strong understanding of enterprise infrastructure, networking, identity, endpoint and workplace technologies.
• Experience operating within UK Defence, government, nuclear, critical national infrastructure or similarly security-sensitive environments.
• Strong ITIL / IT service management knowledge, with experience improving operational processes and service delivery.
• Experience building and developing teams, improving accountability and establishing operational structures.
• Demonstrable experience managing disaster recovery, backup, business continuity and operational resilience.
• Good understanding of Microsoft infrastructure and modern cloud technologies.
• Experience working alongside Cyber Security and Information Security functions.
• Ability to translate technology strategy into effective operational delivery.
• Active SC Security Clearance is essential.
• Microsoft Azure and hybrid-cloud environments.
• Infrastructure as Code and infrastructure automation.
• Modern identity and endpoint management technologies.
• Cyber recovery and clean-room recovery.
• Enterprise monitoring and observability platforms.
• Cyber Essentials Plus, CSM v4 and Defence Cyber Certification (DCC).
• Experience transitioning new technology and services from project delivery into BAU.
• Experience scaling IT operations within a growing or transforming organisation.

Skills

IT leadership

ITIL

Security clearance

Hybrid-cloud

Azure

Disaster recovery

Stakeholder management

Team building

Operational resilience

Cyber security

Tools

Azure

Azure Virtual Desktop

Identity management

Monitoring platforms

Job description

La Fosse is seeking an experienced Head of IT Operations & Infrastructure to lead and grow the UK IT operations function within a security-conscious environment. This senior role covers infrastructure, end-user services, IT service management and Defence environments, with a focus on modernising to a hybrid-cloud model while preserving security and resilience.

You will translate technology strategy into practical operational delivery, build teams, implement processes and establish KPIs to