Fractional IT Manager in Manchester

We are scaling a fast-moving, technology-led business and are looking for a Fractional IT Manager to professionalise our IT and security foundations. Today, we have a mixed Windows/macOS environment, a hybrid workforce, and limited formal IT policies and governance. Over the next 12–24 months, we will grow significantly, including expanding our presence in London and adding remote team members. This is a hands-on, pragmatic role: you will set standards, improve security posture, and ensure our IT services remain simple, reliable, and easy to support as we scale.

Responsibilities

• IT strategy and governance
  • Audit our current environment and define a practical target-state roadmap (90-day plan + 12-month plan).
  • Establish core IT policies and procedures (security, remote working/BYOD, acceptable use, onboarding/offboarding).
  • Create clear documentation and “runbooks” so operations are repeatable and transferable.
• Identity, access, and device management
  • Standardise how users and devices are managed across Windows and macOS.
  • Implement or improve identity and access management (MFA, least privilege, role-based access, access reviews).
  • Define and enforce baseline endpoint controls (encryption, patching, anti-malware/EDR, screen lock, local admin rights).
• Security and compliance
  • Lead our journey to Cyber Essentials (gap assessment, remediation plan, implementation, evidence readiness).
  • Improve email and account security (phishing controls, DMARC/SPF/DKIM where applicable, admin hardening).
  • Establish incident response basics (who does what, escalation, and communication).
• Asset, software, and vendor management
  • Implement and maintain a robust asset and license inventory (including joiners/movers/leavers).
  • Manage vendors and support partners (MSP/helpdesk, network providers, software platforms), ensuring cost control and service quality.
  • Prevent vendor lock-in by ensuring we retain admin ownership, configuration backups/exports, and clear handover documentation.
• Support and operations
  • Define how helpdesk support works (ticketing, SLAs, priorities) and ensure new starters are smooth and consistent.
  • Improve reliability and user experience for hybrid working (remote access, collaboration tools, shared storage approach).

What success looks like (first 90 days)

• A documented baseline of our environment (users, devices, key systems, risks) and a prioritised roadmap.
• MFA and core admin controls in place, with clear joiner/leaver processes.
• Asset inventory and ownership established (including Wi‑Fi/network admin ownership).
• Cyber Essentials plan agreed and remediation underway.
• A stable support model (internal + MSP as needed) with clear responsibilities and documentation.

What we’re looking for

• Proven experience as an IT Manager / IT Operations Lead / Systems Administrator in a scaling SME environment.
• Strong understanding of hybrid IT, endpoint management, and security fundamentals (Windows + macOS).
• Confident managing third-party providers and holding them to account (commercially and technically).
• Able to translate technical decisions into simple policies and clear user guidance.
• Comfortable being hands‑on when needed, while also setting direction and governance.

Nice to have

• Cyber Essentials delivery experience (or similar frameworks).
• Experience with Microsoft 365/Entra ID/Intune and/or Google Workspace (depending on stack).
• Familiarity with modern “zero trust” approaches for remote/hybrid teams.
• Experience supporting creative/engineering teams with higher‑performance hardware needs.

What we offer

• Flexible part‑time engagement with autonomy and clear outcomes.
• The chance to shape a clean, scalable IT and security setup from the ground up.
• Hybrid working with occasional in‑person time with the team in Manchester (and London as we grow).