At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead IT operations, manage a team, and ensure tech stability across the business.
- Company: Join END., a fashion-forward retailer with a passion for culture and community.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible working, generous holiday, and a staff discount.
- Other info: Great opportunities for professional development and career progression.
- Why this job: Be at the forefront of tech in retail and make a real impact.
- Qualifications: Proven leadership in IT operations and strong communication skills required.
The predicted salary is between 40000 - 50000 £ per year.
Who We Are
Inspired by a shared love of fashion, sneakers and the surrounding culture, END. was founded in Newcastle upon Tyne back in 2005. Bringing a combination of celebrated designers and emerging brands that were hard to come by outside of London, our first store in the UK nurtured a community of like-minded individuals who shared a passion within this ever-evolving culture. Since then, END. has become a technology‑led retailer that provides a curated blend of menswear, womenswear, sneakers, homeware and lifestyle products for a global community. At the core of everything we do as a brand is our customers. We recognise that it is our team and culture that makes the difference to our customers. With over 600 employees across our HQ, offices and retail locations, this customer‑centred approach continues to be a key focus for all END. staff. As END. continues to grow with the culture, we want to ensure that all END. staff have a great experience at work and continue to contribute to our collective success.
Key responsibilities
- Lead the IT Technicians supporting store technologies, business applications, handheld devices, networking equipment, and head‑office IT systems.
- Produce Weekly and Monthly performance reports.
- Manage daily IT operations to ensure stability, efficiency, and maximum system uptime.
- Ensure IT service desk performance meets agreed SLAs for incident response, issue resolution, and customer satisfaction.
- Collaborate with the Infrastructure Lead on all server, network, and cloud environment requirements.
- Provide full people management of the IT Operations Technicians team, including hiring, training, performance evaluations, and development planning.
- Oversee the design, improvement, and implementation of IT service management processes to ensure effective and consistent service delivery.
- Support technology and infrastructure rollouts across the retail estate, including new store openings and hardware refresh projects.
- Manage IT infrastructure to maintain high availability, reliability, and scalability aligned with business needs.
- Work closely with the Security Manager to maintain endpoint security, patch compliance, and adherence to cybersecurity policies and standards.
- Develop and manage the IT Operations budget, ensuring cost‑efficient resource usage.
- Lead major incident response activities, coordinating swift resolution to minimise business disruption.
- Provide operational input into D365‑related technical changes and system dependencies when required.
- Manage vendor relationships for IT hardware, telecoms, and service providers to ensure quality and timely service delivery.
- Oversee the full lifecycle of IT assets, including procurement, tracking, maintenance, and decommissioning.
- Ensure accurate and up‑to‑date documentation of IT systems, configurations, processes, and inventories.
- Execute change management activities such as device deployments, configuration updates, and controlled rollout of technical changes.
Who we're looking for
- Proven leadership experience within an IT operations or support environment.
- Strong knowledge of retail IT technologies (POS, networking, end‑user devices, store systems).
- Experience managing service desks and ITIL‑driven processes.
- Demonstrated ability to coordinate major incidents and ensure timely resolution.
- Experience collaborating with infrastructure and security functions.
- Excellent communication, people management, and stakeholder engagement skills.
- Strong technical understanding across networks, endpoints, and operational systems.
- Strong communication and influencing skills.
- Able to exchange ideas and information effectively in a clear, concise and straightforward way, working collaboratively with internal stakeholders including peers, senior leaders and team members and external stakeholders where required to achieve functional objectives.
- Level 5 Professional qualifications or extensive practical knowledge gained through experience.
Benefits
- 28 days holiday (including bank holidays).
- Flexible working – 3 days office working (Mon‑Wed) 2 days home working (Thu‑Fri).
- 40 Hours per week.
- Holiday trading (Buy or sell 3 days).
- Your birthday off.
- Access to Employee Assistance Programme.
- Healthcare Cashback Plan.
- Moments that matter gifts (Weddings and Babies).
- A pension that both you and the company contribute to.
- Generous staff discount.
- Opportunities for professional development and career progression.
Don't worry if you don't hit every criteria, we're always looking to uncover the next big thing, so if you have what it takes to be part of our future success, we want to hear from you. Please note – for the successful candidate, any employment is conditional on you having the right to work in the UK in the role in which you are employed.
IT Operations Lead in Washington employer: END CLOTHING
END. is an exceptional employer that fosters a vibrant work culture rooted in a shared passion for fashion and technology. Located in Washington, Tyne & Wear, we offer our employees flexible working arrangements, generous holiday allowances, and numerous opportunities for professional development, ensuring a fulfilling career path. With a strong emphasis on teamwork and innovation, END. empowers its staff to contribute meaningfully to our collective success while enjoying a supportive environment that values their contributions.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land IT Operations Lead in Washington
✨Join the IT Consultancy Buzz
Get involved in local or virtual IT consultancy meetups and forums. This is where we can rub shoulders with industry professionals, get insights into what END CLOTHING values, and even spot unadvertised opportunities. Don't miss out on these chances to make a name for ourselves in the IT world!
✨Show Off Your Skills
Create a personal project or case study relevant to the challenges END CLOTHING might face. Use platforms like GitHub or Medium to share your findings. This not only demonstrates our consulting skills but shows a proactive attitude, making us stand out from the crowd when applying for that full-time gig.
✨Leverage LinkedIn for Connections
Follow and engage with the relevant thought leaders and influencers in IT consultancy on LinkedIn. Share insightful content and join discussions to gain visibility. A well-placed comment or shared article could catch the attention of someone at END CLOTHING!
✨Direct Apply to END CLOTHING
Let's not forget to apply directly through the END CLOTHING website! Tailor your application to showcase our understanding of their consulting style and how we can contribute to their projects. A personalised approach can make a huge difference in landing that full-time position!
We think you need these skills to ace IT Operations Lead in Washington
Some tips for your application 🫡
Showcase Your Problem-Solving Skills:In IT consulting, it's all about problem-solving, so make sure your CV highlights your analytical skills and any relevant projects you've tackled. Mention specific technologies or methodologies you've used to resolve issues or improve processes; this shows you can think critically and deliver results, which is vital for us at END CLOTHING.
Highlight Relevant Certifications:Certifications like ITIL, PMP, or even specific tech stack qualifications can really make you stand out. Make sure to include these in your CV, as they not only demonstrate your expertise but also your commitment to staying current in the field. We love seeing candidates who are proactive about their professional development!
Tailor Your Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to connect personally with us at END CLOTHING. Share stories about your experiences in IT consulting, and how they shaped your desire to join our team. Mention why you’re excited about this particular role, and how you see yourself contributing to our projects.
Keep It Clear and Concise:We're all busy, so make sure your application is easy to read. Use bullet points for key achievements, and don’t overload us with jargon. A clean, professional layout goes a long way. Remember, the clearer your application, the more likely we are to invite you in for an interview!
How to prepare for a job interview at END CLOTHING
✨Brush Up on Your Technical Skills
For an IT consulting role, be ready to demonstrate your technical prowess. You might face questions on systems integration, cloud technologies, or even troubleshooting specific software. If you have experience with tools like AWS, Azure, or even specific programming languages, make sure you can talk about them fluently.
✨Showcase Your Problem-Solving Approach
IT consulting is all about solving problems for clients. Think about how you can illustrate your approach to a past challenge using the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result). It's a great way to show how you tackle complex issues and come up with effective solutions.
✨Know the Business Impact of IT Solutions
When discussing your experiences, focus not just on the tech solutions you implemented, but also on their business impact. Employers want to see that you can connect IT with organisational goals. Prep examples that highlight how your tech contributions improved efficiency or reduced costs for past clients or projects.
✨Prepare for Behavioural Questions
Since IT consulting often involves teamwork and client interactions, expect behavioural questions that assess your interpersonal skills. Be prepared with examples that demonstrate your adaptability, communication skills, and how you handle client feedback. Before the interview, think of situations where you worked closely with clients to create effective IT strategies or changes.