HaveyoueverwantedtocombineapassionforITwithfootball? QPRarelookingforanexperienced ITManagertotakefullownershipofourtechnologyestate.Thisisahands-onleadershiprolewhere you'll manage all third-party suppliers, own the IT budget, and drive a modernisation agenda that keepsQPR'sinfrastructurefitforthefuture.You'llbesupportedbyanon-siteengineerandbacked by an MSP.
Youwillbeagenuinepractitioner.someonewhohasthetechnicaldepthtomaketherightcalls,the credibilitytochallenge suppliers, andthe communication skillstobringthewider football clubwith you.
- Own and manage all third-party IT supplier relationships; hold the MSP accountable to SLAs and drive value from the contract.
- Manage the IT budget end-to-end: planning, forecasting and procurement.
- Oversee the IT service desk with the MSP, ensuring issues are logged, tracked and resolved to a high standard.
- Own the incident management process, ensuring all issues are triaged, assigned and resolved promptly, with the engineer and MSP accountable for delivery.
- Liaise with Heads of Department to align IT service provision with business needs and long-term strategy.
- Lead the Club's IT modernisation agenda, build and deliver a roadmap to improve systems, processes and infrastructure.
- Work with the Head of Data Operations to plan and deliver technology innovation.
- Own IT infrastructure resilience: networks, backups, failover and security systems.
- Manage the IT asset lifecycle including hardware, software licences and equipment.
- Lead the Club's cyber security strategy, training and incident response.
- Manage and maintain the IT disaster recovery and resilience plan.
- Create and own IT policies and procedures; proactively identify and resolve issues across the estate.
- Cover home Matchday IT operations on a rota basis (~25 fixtures per season, including evening kick-offs).
About The Candidate
TechnicalKnowledge/Skills Required
- Excellent, demonstrable M365 administration knowledge;
- Practical experience with desktops, laptops, mobile devices and AV equipment;
- Experience managing cybersecurity tools and incident response;
- Experience owning or managing an IT budget;
- Experience managing third-party IT suppliers or MSPs;
- Familiarity with ITSM frameworks (e.g. ITIL);
- Knowledge of virtualisation technologies (e.g. VMware, Hyper- V);
- Strong knowledge of data protection law and cyber security obligations;
- Excellent communication skills with non-technical stakeholders;
- Strong problem-solving skills and attention to detail.
Desired Technical Knowledge / Skills
Pleasenotethatthefollowingskillsarenotrequiredbutwouldbe beneficial:
- Understanding of cloud services (e.g. Azure);
- Basic scripting / automation skills (e.g. Python, PowerShell);
- Experience in a sport, entertainment or events environment;
- Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science or Information Technology.
Qualificationsand Experience
- Minimum 2 years’ experience in an IT Manager or equivalent senior IT role, with ownership of infrastructure, suppliers and/or budget;
- A qualification in IT or a related field is preferred;
- IT certifications (e.g. CompTIA, Microsoft) are advantageous but not required;
- Demonstrable technical curiosity through personal projects, certifications or work experience.
About The Club
Safeguarding
Queens Park Rangers Football Club is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of childrenandvulnerableadults.WearecommittedtosaferrecruitmentthroughouttheClub.An enhanced DBS check is a requirement of the role.
Asasmallandtightknitteam QueensParkRangersFootballClubrecognisestheneedforpersonal development and team spirit to enable the Club to achieve its objectives. This job description is intendedasaguideto themainresponsibilitiesandisnot intendedto restrictanyindividualinthe performance of other duties as required by the Company.
Safeguarding
Queens Park Rangers Football Club is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of childrenandvulnerableadults.WearecommittedtosaferrecruitmentthroughouttheClub.An enhanced DBS check is a requirement of the role.
Asasmallandtightknitteam QueensParkRangersFootballClubrecognisestheneedforpersonal development and team spirit to enable the Club to achieve its objectives. This job description is intendedasaguideto themainresponsibilitiesandisnot intendedto restrictanyindividualinthe performance of other duties as required by the Company.
Thisjobdescriptionisintendedasaguidetothemainresponsibilitiesandisnotintendedtorestrict any individual in the performance of other duties as required by the Company
IT Manager employer: EFL
Cardiff City Football Club is an exceptional employer that fosters a dynamic and inclusive work environment, dedicated to the long-term development of its staff and players alike. With a strong emphasis on professional growth, employees benefit from access to cutting-edge analysis tools and a collaborative culture that encourages innovation and excellence in performance analysis. Located in the vibrant city of Cardiff, the club offers unique opportunities to engage with a passionate community and contribute to the success of a storied football institution.
