At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead IT operations, ensuring performance, security, and compliance across a global infrastructure.
- Company: Join a leading defence and aerospace company with a focus on innovation.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, career growth, and the chance to work in a dynamic environment.
- Other info: Opportunity to build and lead a talented IT team in a regulated industry.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a strategic role while managing cutting-edge technology.
- Qualifications: Bachelor's degree in IT or related field; experience in IT management required.
The predicted salary is between 80000 - 100000 ÂŁ per year.
As the Head of IT, you will be responsible for ensuring the smooth operation, performance, and security of all IT operations globally. This includes managing all aspects of applications and network/infrastructure across a hybrid environment as well as physical IT assets (e.g., machines, printers, Wi‑Fi, networking gear, etc.). While day-to-day operations and technical execution are largely outsourced to a Managed Services Provider (MSP), this role is essential for vendor and contract oversight, Tier 1 support coordination, budget ownership, and architecture alignment. This position offers a unique opportunity to operate at both a strategic and operational level, ensuring our enterprise ecosystem remains reliable, secure, and aligned with organizational and regulatory requirements.
Responsibilities:
- Infrastructure Ownership: Oversee the full scope of site IT infrastructure—including servers, networking, Wi‑Fi, printers, workstations, hardware, and cloud connectivity.
- Application Portfolio Management: Own the lifecycle and roadmap for the IFS ERP and Windchill PLM systems, including upgrades, enhancements, and decommissioning decisions.
- Vendor Management: Lead day-to-day interaction with the MSP to ensure high-quality service delivery, adherence to SLAs, and alignment with site‑specific needs.
- Contract Oversight: Manage MSP contracts and ensure compliance with service agreements, renewal schedules, and escalation procedures.
- Tier 1 Support: Serve as the initial point of contact for site-level support issues, providing hands‑on resolution or escalation as required.
- Architecture & Standards: Act as the local architect—ensuring all hardware, networking, and cloud solutions align with corporate standards, cybersecurity policies, and evolving business needs.
- Cybersecurity & Compliance: Partner with internal and external security teams to ensure infrastructure and network components are compliant with ITAR, NIST, and other defence‑related regulations.
- Budget & Asset Management: Own and manage the global budget, including forecasting, cost control, procurement, and asset tracking.
- Project Delivery: Lead or coordinate transformational projects, including upgrades, relocations, and migrations etc.
- Change Management: Oversee change control processes for application updates and enhancements, ensuring minimal disruption to business operations.
- Site Collaboration: Work closely with leadership, operations, and facilities teams to ensure IT services support production and business operations effectively.
- Team Management: Build and lead IT team.
Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree in information technology, Computer Science, Engineering, or related field (Master’s a plus).
- Years of experience in IT application, infrastructure and network management.
- Strong background managing outsourced services or MSPs.
- Experience managing a hybrid on-prem/cloud IT ecosystem (e.g., Microsoft Azure, AWS, or similar).
- Familiarity with modern network architectures, firewalls, VLANs, VPNs, SD‑WAN, and wireless solutions.
- Working knowledge of IT hardware management (workstations, printers, AV, etc.).
- Experience in a regulated industry, preferably aerospace or defence, and understanding of security and compliance requirements (e.g., ITAR, NIST).
- Strong budgeting, vendor negotiation, and contract management skills.
- Excellent communication, problem‑solving, and organizational abilities.
Head of Information Technology employer: JP Search Solutions
Contact Detail:
JP Search Solutions Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Information Technology
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with people in the defence and aerospace sectors. Attend industry events, join relevant online forums, and don’t be shy about reaching out on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings!
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your expertise! When you get the chance to chat with potential employers or during interviews, make sure to highlight your experience with MSPs and hybrid IT environments. Share specific examples of how you've managed budgets and vendor relationships to demonstrate your value.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for those tricky questions! Brush up on your knowledge of compliance regulations like ITAR and NIST, as well as your understanding of cybersecurity policies. Being able to discuss these topics confidently will set you apart from other candidates.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! We’ve got some fantastic opportunities waiting for you, and applying directly can give you a better chance of getting noticed. Plus, it’s super easy to keep track of your applications!
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Information Technology
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV speaks directly to the job description. Highlight your experience in IT application and infrastructure management, especially in a hybrid environment. We want to see how your skills align with our needs!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're the perfect fit for the Head of IT role. Share specific examples of your past experiences, especially in vendor management and budget oversight.
Showcase Your Leadership Skills: As a potential leader in our team, we want to see your management style. Include any relevant experience in building and leading teams, as well as how you've successfully managed outsourced services or MSPs in the past.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother process. It helps us keep track of your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates from us!
How to prepare for a job interview at JP Search Solutions
✨Know Your Tech Inside Out
Make sure you’re well-versed in the technologies mentioned in the job description, like cloud services and network architectures. Brush up on your knowledge of ITAR and NIST compliance, as these are crucial for the role.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples that highlight your experience in managing teams and vendors. Be ready to discuss how you've successfully led IT projects or transformations in previous roles, especially in a regulated environment like defence or aerospace.
✨Understand the Business Context
Research the company’s operations and how IT supports their goals. Be prepared to discuss how you can align IT strategies with business needs, particularly in a carve-out and separation environment.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect questions that assess your problem-solving abilities in real-world scenarios. Think about challenges you’ve faced in IT management and how you resolved them, especially regarding vendor management and budget oversight.