Technical IT Manager

Free-Work UK; Reading; Hybrid; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

Free-Work UK in Reading is seeking an IT Manager to oversee the infrastructure and technology for a financial services client. The successful candidate must be hands-on and bring 7–10 years of proven experience.

You will manage the MSP relationship, oversee software licensing and security monitoring, coordinate upgrades and system changes, and support audits and business continuity. This is a hybrid role requiring 2–3 days in the Reading office, with a salary around £60K–£80K.

Qualifications

• Hands-on IT manager with 7–10 years of experience.
• Experience managing MSP relationships and SLAs.
• Knowledge of security monitoring and accreditation processes.
• Experience coordinating software upgrades and system changes.
• Familiarity with software licensing and audits.
• Ability to drive change and IT integration projects.
• Experience with business continuity planning and disaster recovery.
• Experience supporting joiners/leavers and access control.
• Proven track record in a regulated environment.

Responsibilities

• Monitor and manage MSP performance, SLAs, and charges.
• Oversee software upgrades and introduction of new systems.
• Handle non-standard IT requests and technology changes.
• Provide guidance on acquisitions and integration of people and systems.
• Monitor security outputs from SOC and manage security events.
• Manage software licensing (Microsoft, Mimecast, etc.).
• Lead change management approvals for major IT changes.
• Support senior management with IT issues and integrations.
• Respond to technological changes and AI-based deployments.
• Coordinate security accreditation efforts (Cyber Essentials Plus, ISO 27001).
• Assist with IT audits (AAF and others).
• Manage joiner/leaver processes and access provisioning.
• Develop and maintain business continuity and disaster recovery plans.

Skills

MSP management

SLA compliance

Security monitoring

System upgrades

Licensing management

Change management

Audits support

Business continuity

Joiner/leaver

Tools

Microsoft 365

Mimecast

Timekeeping system

Billing system

Job description

Our Client a financial institution with offices in Reading, are looking to recruit an IT Manager to manage the infrastructure and technology for the company. You must be hands-on and have at least 7 to 10 years proven track record.

Functions for this position

• Monitoring and management of the relationship with the managed service provider, including performance against SLAs, charges for non-standard items, complaints, changes to service
• System changes (software upgrades, introduction of new systems
• Non-standard requests (new software requests, different/more powerful laptops, etc)
• Acquisitions of businesses - guidance on how to absorb people and systems
• Security system monitoring - interpreting and managing output from the SOC (security operations centre)
• Software licensing (Microsoft, Mimecast, other systems (time recording, billing, marketing, etc)
• Change management (internal authorisation for significant system changes)
• Assistance to senior management in relation to IT issues (for example, integration with a new time/billing system)
• Response to technological change (e.g. major updates to Microsoft software, introduction of AI-based systems)
• Accreditation for security certificates (Cyber Essentials Plus, possibly ISO 27001)
• Assistance with AAF and other audits
• Management of joiner/leaver process
• Business continuity plan & disaster recovery

This is a hybrid position with 2 to 3 days in the office at the offices in Reading.

The salary for this position is circa £60K to £80K.