Junior IT Operations Engineer (12m FTC) in Sheffield

Location: Sheffield City centre (fully office based)

Hours: 37 hours per week

Contract: 12 months fixed term contract from September 2026

Salary: £25,878 pa pro rata for the duration of the contract

As a Junior IT Operations Engineer at UniHomes, you will be the hands-on delivery partner to our internal IT & Security lead. This is a delivery-focused role: the controls, policies and automation are pre-designed - your job is to implement them, keep an eye on our environment, and help work through a busy remediation and automation backlog across our Microsoft 365 estate.

This role would suit someone early in their career, ideally an undergraduate on a placement or sandwich year who wants genuine, practical exposure to how security and IT operations really work. You will report directly to our Cyber Security Manager who will mentor you throughout and set the priorities you deliver against.

Key responsibilities:

• Microsoft 365 administration
• Apply configuration changes across Microsoft 365 and Entra ID to close out scoped remediation items.
• Implement and help maintain Conditional Access policies.
• Administer email, users, and groups in Entra ID.
• Provision, patch, and harden endpoints across Windows and macOS.
• Security monitoring
• Keep eyes on alerts and dashboards across SentinelOne EDR, Entra / M365 sign-in and audit logs, DNS Filter and email security.
• Triage the noise and flag anomalies to the IT & Security lead.
• Automation & scripting
• Build and maintain automation for repetitive work using PowerShell, Microsoft Graph and Bash.
• Create Power Automate flows for reporting, reminders, and evidence collection.
• Compliance & evidence
• Collect and organise evidence for Cyber Essentials.
• Keep key inventories accurate and current - endpoint devices, SaaS / application registers, and access reviews.
• Reporting
• Attend a weekly check-in with your manager.
• Contribute to the monthly cyber report that goes to senior leadership.

Skills and experience:

• Essential:
• Working towards an undergraduate degree in Cyber Security, Computer Science, Software Engineering, IT, or a related subject, ideally on a placement or sandwich year (recent graduates also considered).
• A genuine interest in security and IT.
• A solid grasp of the basics of how computers, networks and the cloud fit together.
• Willing to learn scripting, with some exposure to PowerShell, Python or Bash an advantage.
• Meticulous and organised, and diligent about writing things down.
• Trustworthy and dependable – the role involves access to sensitive systems.
• Desirable:
• Exposure to Microsoft 365, Entra, Azure or Intune.
• Familiarity with concepts such as MFA, Conditional Access, EDR and SIEM.
• Evidence of initiative – home labs, CTFs, side projects or foundational certifications.
• Experience with Git or other automation tooling.

At UniHomes, we’re on a mission to transform the entire student rental experience across the UK. As the market-leading student accommodation advertising platform and utility management service provider, we make finding and securing all-inclusive student accommodation simple, seamless, and stress-free.

We’re not just another platform. UniHomes is developing innovative technology to deliver one go-to destination that supports the entire student rental journey. With an unwavering focus on our students, partner letting agents, operators and suppliers, we continually evolve and enhance our products and services to exceed expectations, while tackling market complexity with ease and transparency.

Since launching in 2015, we’ve experienced rapid growth. Today, we operate in 60+ cities, partner with 1,000+ agents and operators, and are backed by Macquarie Capital and LDC. Our success has been recognised with accolades from EY Entrepreneur of the Year, Deloitte UK Technology Fast 50, The Negotiator Awards, and Great Place to Work® certification.

Our 140+ strong team is based in the heart of Sheffield City Centre, where we’re driving innovation, expanding into new markets, and fostering a culture built on collaboration, creativity, and growth.

If you’re ready to make a meaningful impact and help redefine how students find their perfect home, now is the time to join UniHomes. Be part of a team that’s opening new doors to better experiences, brighter ideas, and stress-free living.

We are a team driven and united by our core values:

• Lead the Way
• In it Together
• Customers Matter
• Keep it Simple
• Rise Above Challenges
• Make it Happen

What do you get when you work here?

With people and culture at the heart of our organisation, we are continually enhancing our employee offer and culture. We are incredibly proud to have been officially certified as a Great Place to Work® (GPTW®) and an accredited Living Wage employer - all our employees earn a fair living wage above the government minimum wage.

Working in our stunning new office at New Era Square in the centre of Sheffield, you will get complimentary breakfast, hot & cold drinks, snacks, pool table, holidays, length of service days, voluntary day, enhanced pension scheme, pension salary sacrifice scheme, healthcare scheme, Employee Assistant Programme, sick pay, enhanced maternity & paternity pay, career progression, a commitment to personal and professional development, employee awards, refer a friend scheme, staff discounts, mental health and financial support, and company social events.

At UniHomes we are committed to fostering an inclusive and diverse workplace where everyone can thrive and which values individuals for their unique perspectives. We welcome candidates from all backgrounds, regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, or sexual orientation.

Applicants must already have the permanent and unrestricted right to work in the UK. Unfortunately, we are unable to offer visa sponsorship as we do not hold a sponsor licence.