At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead IT initiatives, modernise systems, and enhance cybersecurity in a dynamic environment.
- Company: A top-rated further education provider with a supportive and aspirational culture.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, 43 days holiday, subsidised gym membership, and excellent training opportunities.
- Other info: Join a well-established team and enjoy career growth in a collaborative setting.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on IT strategy and support thousands of learners in a thriving college.
- Qualifications: Significant IT experience, strong knowledge of Microsoft 365, and networking skills required.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 £ per year.
Your new company is a high-performing further education provider recognised as one of the leading colleges nationally, having achieved outstanding grades across all areas in consecutive Ofsted inspections under the latest Education Inspection Framework. The organisation is praised for its strong contribution to local skills development and for creating a supportive, aspirational learning environment. With a reputation for high-quality teaching and a culture of continuous improvement, staff are valued, well-supported, and committed to helping learners succeed. The college group serves over 6,500 full-time students, alongside a significant number of adult and higher education learners. It also delivers a substantial apprenticeship programme in partnership with hundreds of employers and is known for strong academic outcomes in its sixth form provision.
Due to recent growth across the group, the IT Team are looking to bring in a Senior Systems Engineer to join their already well-established IT team in this newly created role.
Your new role involves reporting directly to the Head of IT, supporting the development, security and modernisation of a complex IT environment. This role combines hands-on technical delivery with strategic input, helping to shape cloud adoption, infrastructure improvements and long-term IT planning. You will lead key initiatives such as migrating legacy systems to Microsoft 365, enhancing cybersecurity, and supporting enterprise infrastructure and networking. Acting as a senior technical specialist, you will resolve complex issues while contributing to standards, best practice and continuous improvement.
Key responsibilities include:
- Implementing and maintaining security across cloud and on-premise systems
- Leading migration to Microsoft 365 and modern workplace tools
- Supporting infrastructure upgrades and lifecycle management
- Troubleshooting complex, multi-site network issues
- Acting as an escalation point for technical challenges
This is an excellent opportunity for a senior engineer who enjoys modernising systems, influencing strategy, and delivering secure, scalable solutions.
What you'll need to succeed:
In order to be successful in securing this position, you must possess significant IT experience in either a Senior IT or Infrastructure role, working across both on-prem and cloud environments. You will have a strong knowledge of Microsoft 365 with migration experience, as well as Windows Server experience and HPE/Aruba networking experience. Please note, although this role is predominantly based at the Newcastle-under-Lyme site, you must drive and have access to your own vehicle as it will be based across multiple sites in the Staffordshire area.
What you'll get in return:
In return, you will be paid a highly competitive salary of between £45,000 and £55,000 dependent on experience, as well as an excellent benefits package. This package will include 43 days holiday (including bank holidays, rising to 47 with service) and access to an attractive local government pension scheme. In addition, you will also be entitled to a subsidised gym membership, health-related benefits, free parking, access to the on-site restaurant and various training and development opportunities.
What you need to do now:
If you're interested in this role, click 'apply now' to forward an up-to-date copy of your CV, or call us now. If this job isn't quite right for you, but you are looking for a new position, please contact us for a confidential discussion about your career.
Senior Systems Engineer in Newcastle upon Tyne employer: Hays Specialist Recruitment Limited
This esteemed further education provider is an exceptional employer, offering a supportive and aspirational work environment that prioritises staff development and well-being. With a strong commitment to continuous improvement and a focus on local skills development, employees enjoy generous benefits including 43 days of holiday, a local government pension scheme, and various training opportunities, all while contributing to the success of over 6,500 students in a dynamic IT team.
Contact Details:
Hays Specialist Recruitment Limited Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Systems Engineer in Newcastle upon Tyne
✨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 Hays Specialist Recruitment Limited 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 Hays Specialist Recruitment Limited 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 Hays Specialist Recruitment Limited!
✨Direct Apply to Hays Specialist Recruitment Limited
Let's not forget to apply directly through the Hays Specialist Recruitment Limited 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 Senior Systems Engineer in Newcastle upon Tyne
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 Hays Specialist Recruitment Limited.
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 Hays Specialist Recruitment Limited. 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 Hays Specialist Recruitment Limited
✨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.
