Head of IT and Cybersecurity

Head of IT and Cybersecurity

Full-Time 75000 - 75000 £ / year (est.) Home office (partial)
Alzheimer's Research UK

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead IT and Cybersecurity initiatives while driving digital transformation and cloud migration.
  • Company: Join Alzheimer's Research UK, the leading dementia research charity in the UK.
  • Benefits: Competitive salary of £75,000 plus benefits, flexible working options, and a supportive culture.
  • Other info: Work in a dynamic environment with opportunities for continuous learning and career growth.
  • Why this job: Make a real impact in technology while helping accelerate progress towards a cure for dementia.
  • Qualifications: Proven leadership in IT, digital transformation, and cybersecurity with strong communication skills.

The predicted salary is between 75000 - 75000 £ per year.

This is an exciting time to join as we are embarking on an ambitious Digital, Data and Technology (DDT) Programme to enable the organisation to reach its ambitious goal of raising 120m by 2033. This is a significant time for Technology in the organisation, the Technology Operating Model, Cyber Security initiatives, User Experience (e.g. AI, Microsoft tooling) and the Technology architecture (move from en-prem to SaaS and Azure) are all receiving significant investment and change.

The successful person will be a visible and approachable leader who enjoys balancing strategic thinking with hands-on IT operational management. You’ll be comfortable working closely with senior stakeholders, leading technical teams, and ensuring a consistently high-level of service across the organisation. In addition, this is a time of change so leading and driving forward change evolving IT into a modern scalable service function. This role will have 3 direct reports (with teams) with responsibility for Operations Infrastructure, Cyber Information Security and End User Systems Management.

Key Responsibilities:

  • Leadership and Management
    • Lead and develop a high-performing team, fostering accountability and continuous improvement.
    • Membership of internal programme/business boards, creating and delivering updates to senior stakeholders.
    • Contributing and collaborating as a key part of the Digital, Data Technology leadership team.
    • Acting as the key IT contact for senior business stakeholders.
    • Building strong relationships with suppliers (including procurement).
    • Managing budgets, resources, and IT governance requirements.
  • Digital and Technology change
    • Driving forward SaaS and cloud infrastructure migration.
    • Evolving IT into a modern scalable service function using self-service and automation.
    • Improving the end user experience from IT provided tools including with AI (safe adoption, productivity enablement, guardrails and policy).
  • Cyber and Information Security
    • Acting as the senior operational owner for cyber and information security, with accountability for policy, standards, controls and incident readiness.
    • Leading security operations including threat/vulnerability management, incident response, and risk assessment.
    • Embedding security by design across cloud (Azure), SaaS, and end-user technologies.
  • Technology Operations
    • Leading, mentoring, and developing an IT support and infrastructure team.
    • Overseeing infrastructure (cloud and en-prem), networks, hardware, and end-user technology services.
    • Ensuring high levels of system availability, reliability, and user satisfaction.
    • Managing support for devices, connectivity, printers, collaboration tools, and business systems.
    • Managing and improving support processes, SLAs, and operational performance metrics.
    • Driving service excellence and managing escalated technical issues when needed.
  • Technology Expertise
    • Strong experience across modern end-user and enterprise technologies, including: Microsoft 365 (Entra ID/Azure AD, SharePoint, Intune, Defender, Active Directory), Microsoft Azure (Virtual Machines, Azure SQL, networking and other cloud infrastructure), Office technology (networking, Windows environments, personal computing, mobile device management), Security tools and services covering identity access management, endpoint and cloud protection, SIEM/XDR, vulnerability management, and email/domain security, End-user tooling, including emerging AI-enabled productivity tools.

Knowledge, skills and experience needed:

  • Proven experience in a Head of IT, Service Management / Service Delivery leadership role.
  • Experience leading digital transformation or cloud modernisation programmes.
  • Experience in owning cyber and information security with accountability for policy, standards, controls and incident readiness.
  • Technically credible — able to hold your own in conversations with developers, architects, and IT leadership.
  • Experience driving continuous service improvement (CSI) and operational excellence.
  • Track record of delivering service innovation and automation in a growing organisation.
  • A confident communicator who can represent the IT function professionally at all levels, internally and externally.
  • Strong troubleshooting and problem-solving skills with the ability to manage incidents and complex service challenges.
  • Commitment to safeguarding, confidentiality and secure handling of sensitive information.
  • Strong people management experience, including leading, developing and motivating high-performing teams.
  • Experience influencing decision-making at senior leadership and executive level.
  • Strong leadership capability, balancing hands-on delivery with short- and long-term strategic vision.
  • Outstanding communicator, with strong influencing, negotiation, and decision-making skills.
  • Ability to translate complex technical concepts into clear, accessible language.
  • Strong focus on ownership, accountability, and results delivery, with a proactive “can-do” attitude.
  • Strategic and analytical thinker, able to see the bigger picture and set direction.
  • High levels of integrity, professionalism, and ethical standards.
  • Curious and adaptable, with a commitment to continuous learning and improvement.
  • Willingness to be hands-on when needed, leading by example within the team.

Additional Information:

  • Ways of working: As part of our Agile ways of working you will be required to work approximately 2 days a week from the office, which is subject to the requirements of the role and the business needs. Flexibility on where you work can be split between working from home and our office.
  • Our Office: Our office is at 3 Riverside, Granta Park, Great Abington, Cambridge, CB21 6AD.
  • Salary: Circa 75,000 per annum, plus benefits.
  • Please download the Vacancy Pack on our website for more information.
  • The closing date for applications is the 21ST June 2026, with interviews being arranged once shortlisting has been completed.
  • We value diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive culture where everyone can be themselves and reach their full potential. We actively encourage applications from people of all backgrounds and cultures, particularly from those in the global majority, those with disabilities, men and those from the LGBTQIA+ community.
  • Any offer of employment is however subject to you having the right to work in the UK.
  • As part of our commitment to being an inclusive employer and ensuring fairness and consistency in our selection process, we will handle your CV and application with the utmost confidentiality.
  • Should you require any adjustments at either the application or interview stage, please contact us via our website.
  • How to apply: Please create an online account using our Online Recruitment Platform which can be accessed through our Job Vacancies page. You will be able to attach your CV to your application and track the status of your application.

About Alzheimer’s Research UK: Alzheimer's Research UK is the UK's leading dementia research charity. Our mission is to accelerate progress towards a cure. Today 1 in 2 people will be impacted by dementia, either through caring for a loved one, developing it themselves or tragically both. But there is hope.

Head of IT and Cybersecurity employer: Alzheimer's Research UK

Alzheimer's Research UK is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment that fosters innovation and collaboration in the field of IT and Cybersecurity. With a strong commitment to employee growth, you will have the opportunity to lead transformative projects while working in a supportive culture that values diversity and inclusivity. Located in the picturesque Granta Park, Cambridge, the organisation provides a flexible working model that promotes work-life balance, making it an ideal place for professionals seeking meaningful and rewarding careers.

Alzheimer's Research UK

Contact Details:

Alzheimer's Research UK Recruitment Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land Head of IT and Cybersecurity

Tip Number 1

Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with people in the industry. Attend events, join online forums, and don’t be shy about reaching out to folks on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.

Tip Number 2

Prepare for those interviews! Research the company and its culture, especially their DDT Programme. Be ready to discuss how your experience aligns with their goals, particularly around cloud migration and cybersecurity. Show them you’re not just another candidate, but the perfect fit!

Tip Number 3

Follow up after interviews! A quick thank-you email can go a long way. Mention something specific from your conversation to remind them of your chat. It shows you’re genuinely interested and keeps you fresh in their minds.

Tip Number 4

Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, you’ll have access to all the latest job openings and updates directly from us. Let’s get you that dream job!

We think you need these skills to ace Head of IT and Cybersecurity

Leadership and Management
Cyber Security Expertise
Cloud Infrastructure Management
Digital Transformation
Service Management
Stakeholder Engagement
Budget Management

Some tips for your application 🫡

Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV is tailored to the Head of IT and Cybersecurity role. Highlight your experience in digital transformation, cloud migration, and cybersecurity initiatives. We want to see how your skills align with our ambitious goals!

Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to showcase your leadership style and how you can drive change in our organisation. Be sure to mention your experience with senior stakeholders and your approach to team development.

Showcase Your Technical Expertise:We’re looking for someone who can hold their own in technical discussions. Make sure to highlight your experience with Microsoft 365, Azure, and cybersecurity tools. This will show us you’re technically credible and ready to lead!

Apply Early!:Don’t wait until the last minute to submit your application. We encourage you to apply as soon as possible through our website. This way, you’ll have the best chance of being considered before we start shortlisting candidates!

How to prepare for a job interview at Alzheimer's Research UK

Know Your Tech Inside Out

Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of Microsoft 365, Azure, and the latest cybersecurity practices. Be ready to discuss how you've implemented these technologies in previous roles and how they can be leveraged in this new position.

Showcase Your Leadership Style

Prepare examples that highlight your leadership experience, especially in managing high-performing teams. Think about how you've fostered accountability and continuous improvement in past roles, and be ready to share specific outcomes.

Understand the Bigger Picture

Familiarise yourself with the organisation's Digital, Data, and Technology Programme. Be prepared to discuss how your strategic vision aligns with their goals, particularly around cloud migration and enhancing user experience through AI.

Communicate Clearly and Confidently

Practice translating complex technical concepts into simple language. This will help you connect with senior stakeholders who may not have a technical background. Remember, effective communication is key to influencing decision-making at all levels.