IT Disaster Recovery Lead in Manchester

We are excited to introduce a brand-new role within the University: IT Disaster Recovery Lead. This is a fantastic opportunity to step into a new position where you will help design, strengthen, and continuously improve how we prepare for, and recover from, disruptive events. If you are passionate about building modern, resilient recovery capabilities, enjoy solving complex technical challenges, and want the chance to shape best-practice approaches from the outset, this role offers an opportunity to make a lasting impact on a large, diverse organisation.

As part of the Information Security team, you will join a growing team that is driving major improvements in Governance, Risk and Compliance including modernising disaster recovery capabilities. We operate a hybrid working model, with the team on site for a minimum of one day a week.

As the Disaster Recovery Lead, you will be the University’s subject-matter expert for IT recovery, responsible for designing, maintaining, and validating the organisation’s ability to restore critical digital services following disruption. You will be responsible for shaping the University’s resilience posture, influencing technology design, and ensuring recovery expectations are embedded into new services, procurement, and change processes. Reporting to the Head of Information Security – Governance, Risk and Compliance (GRC), you will be working alongside a team of Operational Security Architects whilst collaborating closely with colleagues in Cyber Security, IT Operations and Service Delivery.

• Leading the University’s Disaster Recovery Framework aligned to ISO 22301 and NIST CSF.
• Defining system tiering, RTOs and RPOs for critical services.
• Driving creation, review and testing of recovery plans.
• Owning and optimising backup and restore strategy across all environments.
• Ensuring backup integrity and robust off-site protection.
• Leading regular recovery exercises and delivering clear improvement actions.
• Providing assurance for audits and regulators.
• Managing recovery-related risks within the Security Risk Register.
• Acting as technical lead for restorations during major incidents.
• Delivering DR training and awareness sessions.
• Bringing in emerging best practice through sector collaboration.

• Disaster recovery expert with hands-on experience restoring critical IT services.
• Strong backup and data protection knowhow across cloud, on-prem, and hybrid environments.
• Sharp problem solver able to cut through complexity and drive clear recovery decisions.
• Confident communicator who can influence stakeholders and simplify technical detail.
• Skilled at leading recovery tests, simulations, and incident response restoration activities.
• Solid grasp of risk, compliance, and resilience standards (ISO 22301, NIST CSF).
• Collaborative team player who can bring IT, security, and operations together under pressure.

To apply, please submit a CV and covering letter detailing your suitability, on the application portal. For informal enquiries about this vacancy, please contact Hannah Burling on h.burling@mmu.ac.uk. Interviews will take place w/c 11th May 2026 and will include a short written assessment to be completed on the day of the interview. Due to the volume of applications we receive, we sometimes close our vacancies early. It is therefore advisable to apply as early as possible if you would like to be considered for a role.

The University has engaged an approved list of recruitment agencies to support the recruitment of its vacancies from time to time. The University does not accept speculative applications from recruitment agencies outside of this list.

Manchester Metropolitan University fosters an inclusive culture of belonging that promotes equity and celebrates diversity. We value a diverse workforce for the innovation and diversity of thought it brings and welcome applications from local and international communities, including those from Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic backgrounds, disabled people, and LGBTQ+ individuals. We support a range of flexible working arrangements, including hybrid and tailored schedules, which can be discussed with your line manager. If you require reasonable adjustments during the recruitment process or in your role, please let us know so we can provide appropriate support. Our commitment to inclusivity includes mentoring programmes, accessibility resources, and professional development opportunities to empower and support underrepresented groups. Manchester Met is a Disability Confident Leader and, under this scheme, aims to offer an interview to disabled people who apply for the role and meet the essential criteria as listed in the attached Job Description for that vacancy.