The Role:
We are seeking a highly skilled and motivated IT Operations Team Leader to spearhead our day-to-day IT operations. This pivotal role demands a strong technical background coupled with exceptional leadership abilities and a keen understanding of financial management within an IT context. The ideal candidate will be responsible for ensuring the smooth and efficient operation of our IT infrastructure and systems, while effectively leading and developing a team of talented IT professionals and maintaining fiscal responsibility.
Key Responsibilities:
Technical Leadership and Oversight:
- Provide expert-level technical guidance and support to the IT operations team across various domains, including network infrastructure, server administration (on-premise and cloud), storage solutions, cybersecurity protocols, and end-user support.
- Troubleshoot complex technical issues, identify root causes, and implement effective solutions in a timely manner.
- Stay abreast of emerging technologies and industry best practices, recommending and implementing innovative solutions to enhance operational efficiency and security.
- Contribute to the development and maintenance of IT policies, procedures, and documentation.
- Oversee the implementation and management of monitoring and alerting systems to proactively identify and resolve potential issues.
Team Management and Development:
- Lead, mentor, and develop a team of IT operations professionals, fostering a collaborative and high-performance work environment.
- Set clear performance expectations, provide regular feedback, and conduct performance reviews.
- Delegate tasks effectively, empowering team members and promoting ownership.
- Identify training and development needs within the team and facilitate opportunities for growth.
- Foster effective communication and collaboration within the team and with other departments.
Financial Control and Budget Management:
- Develop and manage the IT operations budget, ensuring cost-effectiveness and adherence to financial guidelines.
- Monitor and analyze IT operational expenses, identifying opportunities for optimization and cost savings.
- Participate in the procurement process for IT hardware, software, and services, ensuring value for money.
- Track and report on IT operational costs and budget variances.
- Contribute to the development of business cases for IT investments, considering both technical and financial implications.
Operational Excellence and Continuous Improvement:
- Ensure the availability, reliability, and security of all IT systems and services.
- Develop and implement service level agreements (SLAs) and operational metrics to track performance and identify areas for improvement.
- Lead and participate in incident management, problem management, and change management processes.
- Drive continuous improvement initiatives to enhance operational efficiency, reduce downtime, and improve user satisfaction.
- Ensure compliance with relevant industry regulations and standards.
Qualifications:
- Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, or a related field. Relevant certifications (e.g., ITIL, CompTIA, Cisco, Microsoft) are highly desirable.
- Proven experience (typically 5+ years) in IT operations with increasing levels of responsibility.
- Demonstrable experience (typically 2+ years) in a team leadership or supervisory role within an IT environment.
Extensive technical knowledge across a broad range of IT infrastructure and systems, including:
- Networking (LAN, WAN, TCP/IP, DNS, DHCP)
- Server operating systems (Windows Server, Linux)
- Virtualization technologies (e.g., VMware, Hyper-V)
- Cloud platforms (e.g., AWS, Azure, GCP)
- Storage solutions (SAN, NAS)
- Cybersecurity principles and best practices
- Backup and disaster recovery solutions
- End-user computing and support
Extremely good team management skills, including:
- Strong leadership, coaching, and mentoring abilities.
- Excellent communication, interpersonal, and conflict resolution skills.
- Proven ability to build and motivate high-performing teams.
- Effective delegation and time management skills.
Good financial control acumen, including:
- Experience in budget planning and management.
- Understanding of IT cost drivers and optimization strategies.
- Familiarity with procurement processes and vendor management.
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to diagnose and resolve complex technical issues.
- Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail.
- Ability to work under pressure and prioritize tasks effectively in a fast-paced environment.
- A proactive and results-oriented approach.