Guildford
IT Manager Location: Guildford (Hybrid Working Available) An exciting opportunity has arisen for an innovative and forward-thinking IT Manager to lead the IT function and ensure the seamless delivery of IT services across the business. This role will oversee end-to-end IT service delivery, supporting engineering teams and wider business operations across on-premise and cloud environments. You will take ownership of the IT strategy and roadmap, manage budgets, lead a high-performing team, and ensure systems remain secure, scalable and aligned with current and emerging technologies. Key ResponsibilitiesTeam Leadership • Lead and manage the IT department, including recruitment, performance management, development, mentoring and wellbeing., • Build a culture of collaboration, continuous improvement and customer-focused service delivery., • Ensure appropriate resourcing, capability and planning to deliver IT services across engineering, production and wider business functions., • Proactively manage workload planning and resolve resource constraints or shifting priorities.IT Service Management, • Develop and maintain IT strategy and roadmaps aligned with business goals., • Manage budgets, ensuring strong financial control and reporting., • Act as a senior technology advisor, providing regular updates to senior leadership., • Ensure the availability, performance, reliability, security and scalability of IT systems, networks and applications across hybrid infrastructure., • Maintain compliance with key standards and regulations including GDPR, ISO 9001, ISO 27001 and Cyber Essentials Plus., • Ensure all services and applications are licensed, maintained and kept up to date., • Deliver high-quality IT support and service delivery aligned to ITIL best practice.Out of Hours Support, • Coordinate effective communication and resolution of issues during out-of-hours support and service calls.Stakeholder Management, • Work closely with internal stakeholders across engineering, projects, production and sales to align IT priorities., • Conduct regular service reviews and provide reporting ahead of key meetings, demonstrating performance against KPIs, SLAs and contractual obligations.Risk & Incident Management, • Develop and maintain risk management strategies to minimise service disruption., • Lead incident response and ensure timely resolution, minimal business impact and clear communication., • Ensure outages and performance issues are handled effectively within agreed service levels.Continuous Improvement & Projects, • Identify opportunities to improve service delivery processes, tools and operational efficiency., • Drive improvements through best practice and emerging technologies., • Oversee IT projects from initiation through to delivery.Bids, Proposals & Contract Management, • Provide technical and commercial input into proposals for new missions., • Support customer contract negotiations and extension proposals., • Ensure services meet contractual and security obligations., • Manage supplier relationships including MSPs and third-party vendors, negotiating service levels where required.Required Experience, • Proven experience working in an IT Manager position., • Strong experience managing budgets, vendors and IT projects., • Experience supporting and maintaining hybrid IT environments (on-premise and cloud).Qualifications / Skills, • Degree in Computing / Information Security (or equivalent experience)., • ITIL, CISA or CISSP beneficial but not essential., • Must be able to attain and maintain National Security Vetting (minimum SC level)., • Strong technical IT background with a strategic mindset., • Proven leadership and people management experience., • Strong communication skills with the ability to influence stakeholders at all levels., • Highly organised with excellent project and time management skills., • Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities., • Customer-focused and able to manage technical relationships confidently., • Results-driven, adaptable and comfortable working in fast-paced environments., • Ability to view technology as a business enabler, not a blocker.