At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead ARIA's IT operations and ensure a secure, reliable tech environment.
- Company: Join ARIA, a pioneering R&D funding agency driving technological breakthroughs.
- Benefits: Enjoy 27 days leave, hybrid work, and a supportive learning environment.
- Other info: Work in a vibrant office in Kings Cross, London with excellent career growth.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on the future of technology and society.
- Qualifications: Proven experience in IT operations and strong leadership skills required.
The predicted salary is between 105000 - 105000 £ per year.
Application Deadline: 31 May 2026
Department: Internal Operations
Location: London
Compensation: £105,000 / year
Salary: c. £105,000
Bonus: Discretionary
Location on site: Kings Cross, London (Tuesdays‑Thursdays - 3 days in our office, Monday + Friday - anywhere)
Employment Type: Permanent, full time
About ARIA
ARIA is a R&D funding agency created to unlock technological breakthroughs that benefit everyone. We fund scientists and engineers to pursue research at the edge of the possible. From climate change to AI, society faces enormous challenges and opportunities that can be uniquely addressed by science and technology. ARIA was created to activate the UK’s world-class R&D in new ways, so we can meet these head on. Our success is shaped by one question: how will ARIA transform the lives of the UK’s future generations? Whether that’s a life‑changing new technology or a burgeoning new industry, it should be obvious that ARIA played a catalytic role.
Role Summary
ARIA is seeking a senior technology operations leader to own our enterprise IT operations and operational technology services. As the Head of IT Operations, you are accountable for ensuring ARIA’s enterprise IT foundation environment is secure, resilient, reliable and operationally effective. You will lead the oversight and evolution of ARIA’s enterprise operational technology landscape – spanning cyber security, infrastructure operations, service provider management, SaaS application landscape governance, and end‑user IT experience. While our on‑site Managed Service Provider (MSP) delivers day‑to‑day operational support, you retain accountability for the performance, security, governance and continuous improvement of our IT ecosystem. You will lead internal IT staff and our external managed service provider to ensure IT services remain trusted, secure and effective for the organisation. This is not a coordination role. It requires an experienced operator who can confidently own the service, drive performance, proactively identify risk and improvement opportunities, and ensure technology effectively enables ARIA’s mission.
What You’ll Do
- Enterprise IT Operations & Service Leadership
- Lead ARIA’s IT Operations function and continuously evolve the organisation’s operational technology maturity, resilience and effectiveness.
- Own accountability for ARIA’s enterprise IT operations and operational service environment, ensuring services are stable, secure, reliable and aligned to organisational needs.
- Act as the senior accountable lead for ARIA’s MSP and operational technology partners, holding providers to account against SLAs, contractual obligations and continuous improvement objectives.
- Drive a culture of operational excellence, proactive service improvement and enablement‑first IT operations.
- Cyber Security, Risk & Operational Governance
- Maintain accountability for ARIA’s enterprise operational cyber security posture, operational technology risks, resilience planning and compliance obligations.
- Lead governance frameworks, operational standards, policies and controls across enterprise IT domains to ensure proportionate and effective risk management.
- Oversee incident response readiness, disaster recovery planning, operational resilience and security assurance activities.
- Partner with leadership teams to translate operational technology risks into clear organisational decisions and priorities.
- Ensure ARIA’s enterprise IT controls, security foundations and support models evolve to safely enable AI‑native ways of working, including increased use of AI tools, automation, data platforms and bespoke technical solutions.
- Enterprise Infrastructure & Operational Technology Stewardship
- Oversee ARIA’s enterprise operational infrastructure, cloud environments, identity and access management, SaaS estate, devices and core operational systems.
- Maintain visibility and governance across ARIA’s enterprise operational technology assets, ensuring systems remain secure, supportable and operationally sustainable.
- Lead the management and oversight of enterprise application lifecycle management, rationalisation, operational supportability and cost optimisation.
- Ensure enterprise IT services effectively support organisational productivity, operational continuity and secure collaboration.
- Leadership, Strategy & Organisational Partnership
- Lead and develop a high‑performing IT Operations function, including internal team members, contractors and managed service providers.
- Build strong relationships across ARIA to ensure enterprise technology services effectively support organisational effectiveness and user experience.
- Partner closely with the Head of Engineering & Platforms to ensure operational resilience, enterprise compliance and security considerations are effectively embedded across organisational technology initiatives.
- Contribute to organisation‑wide technology governance, standards and roadmap discussions across operational and enablement domains.
- Provide clear reporting, insight and assurance to senior leadership on operational performance, security resilience and enterprise technology risks.
- Collaborate closely with the wider ARIA team and Programme Directors to deliver a seamless IT environment that empowers, rather than restricts, ambitious R&D initiatives.
Who You Are
- An experienced technology operations leader with significant experience leading IT operations within MSP‑supported or outsourced environments.
- Technically credible across enterprise infrastructure, cyber security, cloud platforms and operational resilience.
- Strong governance and risk management capability, with experience building operational standards, controls and assurance mechanisms.
- Experienced working across cyber security and regulatory frameworks such as GDPR, NCSC CAF, ISO27001 and Cyber Essentials Plus.
- Commercially astute and comfortable managing vendors, contracts, procurement and service performance.
- An excellent communicator and relationship builder who can influence across technical and non‑technical audiences.
- Experienced leading blended capability models comprising internal teams, contractors, MSPs and specialist partners.
- Comfortable balancing strategic control, enablement, operational reliability and organisational needs in a fast‑moving environment.
- A pragmatic and trusted leader with strong judgement and an enablement‑first mindset.
Desirable
We are a Google‑native organisation. If you’ve worked in this environment before, that’s great – if not, don’t let it stop you from applying; we’re more interested in your expertise than your current toolkit.
Benefits
- 27 days annual leave provision, with the option to buy/sell additional days
- Hybrid working arrangements; 60% in office / 40% at home
- Supportive environment for learning and development opportunities
- Enhanced family leave arrangements
- A free and confidential 24/7 employee assistance programme
- Life Assurance
- 2 days of paid volunteer days
- 5% defined contribution pension scheme with Smart Pension
- Cycle to Work scheme
- An excellent office location in Kings X, London
Head of IT Operations employer: Advanced Research + Invention Agency (ARIA)
ARIA is an exceptional employer that champions innovation and collaboration in a vibrant London setting. With a strong commitment to employee growth, ARIA offers a supportive work culture, hybrid working arrangements, and generous benefits including 27 days of annual leave and enhanced family leave. As a leader in R&D funding, employees have the unique opportunity to contribute to transformative projects that address critical societal challenges, making their work both meaningful and rewarding.
Contact Details:
Advanced Research + Invention Agency (ARIA) Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of IT Operations
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with people in the industry. Attend meetups, conferences, or even online webinars. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! Create a portfolio or a personal website that highlights your achievements and projects. This is your chance to demonstrate what you can bring to the table, especially in tech operations.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its culture. Understand ARIA's mission and how your experience aligns with their goals. Tailor your responses to show how you can contribute to their success.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in being part of the team at ARIA.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of IT Operations
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV is tailored to the Head of IT Operations role. Highlight your experience in IT operations, cyber security, and vendor management. We want to see how your skills align with what ARIA is looking for!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're passionate about ARIA's mission and how your background makes you the perfect fit. Keep it engaging and relevant to the job description.
Showcase Your Leadership Skills:As a senior technology operations leader, we need to see your leadership style. Share examples of how you've led teams, managed projects, and driven operational excellence in previous roles. This will help us understand your approach!
Apply Through Our Website:Don't forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it’s super easy – just follow the prompts!
How to prepare for a job interview at Advanced Research + Invention Agency (ARIA)
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of enterprise IT operations, cyber security, and operational governance. Familiarise yourself with ARIA's mission and how technology plays a role in achieving it. This will help you demonstrate your expertise and show that you're genuinely interested in the position.
✨Showcase Leadership Skills
As the Head of IT Operations, you'll need to lead a team and manage external partners. Prepare examples of how you've successfully led teams in the past, particularly in MSP-supported environments. Highlight your ability to drive performance and foster a culture of operational excellence.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect questions that assess your problem-solving skills and decision-making abilities. Think about potential challenges ARIA might face in IT operations and how you would address them. Be ready to discuss your approach to risk management and incident response planning.
✨Build Rapport
Interviews are as much about fit as they are about skills. Be personable and engage with your interviewers. Ask insightful questions about the team dynamics and how ARIA collaborates across departments. This shows you're not just looking for a job, but a place where you can contribute and grow.
