IT Manager in Wigan

Are you an experienced IT leader who thrives on owning end‑to‑end operations and driving service excellence? Do you excel at managing hybrid cloud environments, maturing ITIL processes, and delivering robust, secure infrastructure? Are you ready to lead a high‑performing IT team while shaping technology strategy that enables real business impact? If so, ArrowXL is looking for an IT Manager to join our team, based at our Wigan office, where you’ll be empowered to make a real impact within a collaborative environment.

Our IT Manager will lead the operational delivery, resilience, and continuous improvement of the organisation’s technology estate. Reporting to the CIO, the role oversees infrastructure, service management, cybersecurity, and business systems to ensure reliable, secure, and scalable IT services aligned with business objectives. This is a hands‑on leadership position requiring strong stakeholder engagement, technical expertise, and team development capabilities. The IT Manager will manage multiple priorities in a dynamic environment, lead technology projects, and align IT initiatives with wider business goals while actively supporting both people and processes across the organisation.

What will the role involve?

• Lead day‑to‑day IT operations across Service Desk, Infrastructure, Application Support, and End User Computing, ensuring strong MSP performance and providing occasional out‑of‑hours support as part of the Escalation Manager rota.
• Own and mature key ITIL processes (Incident, Problem, and Change Management) while enhancing IT policies, procedures, and best practices to drive continuous service improvement and operational maturity.
• Oversee hybrid infrastructure environments (Microsoft 365, Azure, Hyper‑V, Linux, and on‑premise systems), ensuring high availability, performance monitoring, patching, lifecycle management, and capacity planning.
• Ensure WAN and LAN services delivered by MSP partners meet performance and reliability standards.
• Lead disaster recovery and business continuity planning, ensuring compliance with UK data protection and security frameworks (including GDPR, Cyber Essentials, and ISO 27001 where applicable).
• Oversee core security functions such as vulnerability management, access control, endpoint security, and risk mitigation, while collaborating closely with security partners and auditors.
• Lead and develop the IT team (approx. 10 people), setting clear objectives, accountability structures, and performance frameworks to drive high performance.
• Manage third‑party suppliers and contracts, while also supporting budgeting, forecasting, and cost‑optimisation initiatives.
• Oversee and deliver technology change, including system upgrades, new implementations, and broader technology projects.
• Partner with business leaders to align IT initiatives with operational needs, translate technical strategy into meaningful business outcomes, and support strategic roadmap initiatives set by the CIO.

What are we looking for in our IT Manager?

• Proven experience leading IT operations in a mid‑size organisation, with 5+ years of progressive IT and leadership experience.
• Strong knowledge of ITIL frameworks, cloud platforms (especially Azure), and hybrid cloud/infrastructure environments.
• Demonstrated ability to improve operational KPIs, strengthen governance, and manage vendors, contracts, projects, and budgets.
• Solid understanding of network infrastructure, cloud services, cybersecurity, and enterprise systems.
• Excellent communication, stakeholder engagement, problem‑solving, and analytical skills.
• Desirable: Experience with CRM platforms, and with implementing Cyber Essentials or ISO frameworks.
• Desirable: ITIL certification and other industry‑recognised credentials such as PMP, CISSP, or CompTIA Security+.
• Desirable: Background in the Transportation and Logistics sector, supported by a Bachelor’s degree in IT, Computer Science, or a related field.

What’s in it for you? What are the benefits?

At ArrowXL, we’re always striving to make the world of delivery a better place. When you join us, you’ll receive a comprehensive salary and benefits package - but more than that, you’ll become part of an organisation that values collaboration, innovation, and personal growth. Some of the benefits of working with us include:

• Annual Leave – 34 days entitlement (including statutory bank holidays) which increases with service.
• Holiday Buy Scheme – Buy up to 5 additional days.
• Competitive Pension Plan options – Plus company contributions.
• Private Medical Insurance – via Bupa.
• Life Insurance – Company funded 2x basic salary life cover from day one.
• Medicash – An easy‑to‑use health insurance package that provides cashback towards your everyday healthcare bills.
• Employee Assistance Programme – Free 24/7 confidential wellbeing support.
• Progression and Development Opportunities – Department specific technical training and Internal Management Development Academies.
• Staff Discount at www.very.co.uk (25% discount on designer branded clothing, footwear and home accessories with 15% off furniture, leisure and electrical items).
• Discounted Gym Membership – Up to 25% discount across 3700 nationally located gyms, health clubs, leisure Centres, bootcamps and fitness studios.
• Cycle to work scheme – In partnership with Halfords, the ArrowXL C2W scheme offers great benefits and discounts.
• Long service awards – We go out of our way to recognise and reward our colleague commitment with our long service awards programme.
• Employee of the month – Winners receive £25 voucher, certificate and Hall of fame recognition.
• CEO Award of the month – Winners receive £100 voucher, certificate and Hall of fame recognition.
• Departmental Incentives – Year‑round departmental contests, seasonal incentives and fantastic gifts.
• Retail Discounts – Huge discount savings in supermarkets (Asda, Tesco, Morrison’s and Sainsburys), Fashion discounts with (Adidas, Asos, H&M, Boohoo, JD and Matalan) and Technology discounts with (Apple, Argos, Currys/PC World and John Lewis), plus many more savings.