Head of IT Operations

We have partnered with a global client to hire an experienced Head of IT Operations to lead its IT operations function. This role is responsible for the strategic and day-to-day management of critical infrastructure, service delivery, and security operations. The successful candidate will bring a strong mix of leadership, technical expertise, and operational discipline to ensure stability, scalability, and continuous improvement across the technology estate.

 

Key Responsibilities

Leadership & Strategy

• Lead and mentor the IT Operations and Service Desk teams.
• Develop and execute strategies that enhance operational effectiveness, resilience, and scalability.
• Act as a senior leader across IT, contributing to long-term technology planning and innovation.

Infrastructure & Cloud Management

• Oversee all aspects of hybrid infrastructure including data centres, networks, cloud platforms (Azure, AWS), and Microsoft 365.
• Drive automation and modernisation initiatives to support performance and cost efficiency.
• Ensure system uptime, availability, and reliability through robust architecture and proactive operations.

Service Management

• Define, implement, and continuously improve ITIL-aligned service delivery processes.
• Track performance against SLAs and KPIs to deliver a high-quality user experience.
• Promote a culture of accountability and continuous service improvement.

Security & Risk Management

• Lead day-to-day security operations and incident response.
• Ensure compliance with applicable standards (e.g., ISO 27001, GDPR) and internal policies.
• Manage business continuity, including disaster recovery planning and testing.

Vendor & Budget Ownership

• Own and manage the IT Operations budget, ensuring cost-effectiveness and value delivery.
• Lead procurement, contract negotiations, and ongoing vendor performance management.

Architecture & Innovation

• Oversee the design and evolution of infrastructure and platform architecture.
• Ensure architectural decisions support business goals, security standards, and future scalability.
• Evaluate and recommend emerging technologies and practices that enhance resilience and agility.

 

Candidate Requirements

Required

• Minimum 15 years in IT, including 10+ years in senior operations or infrastructure leadership roles.
• Deep experience in managing hybrid (on-premise and cloud) environments at scale.
• Strong understanding of IT service management frameworks (ITIL) and security operations.
• Experience with large budgets and complex vendor ecosystems.
• Proven leadership capabilities with excellent communication and stakeholder engagement skills.

Desirable

• Professional certifications such as ITIL, CISSP, PMP, or Microsoft Azure Solutions Architect.
• Exposure to modern IT delivery models (DevOps, CI/CD, infrastructure as code).

 

What This Role Offers

• Leadership of a critical function within a modern, forward-thinking organisation.
• The opportunity to drive innovation, stability, and growth in a fast-evolving technology landscape.
• A collaborative environment with flexibility and a strong focus on continuous improvement.
• Hybrid working model supporting both autonomy and in-person collaboration.

 

If this role sounds of interest to you, please reach out today for a confidential conversation.