At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead IT infrastructure delivery and optimise systems for stability and security.
- Company: Leading organisation in pensions and financial services with a strong tech team.
- Benefits: £100k salary, 25 days holiday, pension matching, healthcare, and flexible benefits.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a hands-on leadership role within a dynamic environment.
- Qualifications: Proven experience in IT Infrastructure and strong technical skills in Azure and networking.
- Other info: Remote work with occasional office visits and excellent career growth opportunities.
The predicted salary is between 100000 - 100000 £ per year.
Location: Remote UK, Occasional Visits to nearest UK office
Contract: 6 Month FTC (could be extended)
Salary: £100,000 per annum (pro rata)
About the Organisation
Our client is a leading organisation within the pensions and financial services sector, supporting a wide range of private and public sector clients across the UK. Their technology team plays a central role in maintaining the stability, security, and scalability of systems that support the wider business.
Role Overview
We are looking for an experienced Head of IT Infrastructure to lead the delivery, optimisation, and reliability of the infrastructure estate. The role will oversee day-to-day operations, strategic improvements, team leadership, vendor management, and ensure robust governance, security, and resilience across technology platforms. This is a hands-on leadership role suited to someone who can balance strategic planning with operational delivery in a complex, regulated environment.
Key Responsibilities
- Leadership & Strategy
- Lead the Infrastructure function, including Cloud, Networks, Servers, Storage, and End User Computing
- Develop and execute infrastructure strategy aligned with the organisation’s technology roadmap and business goals
- Provide leadership, coaching, and direction to the Infrastructure team, ensuring high performance and continuous development
- Drive transformation initiatives and modernisation projects to improve scalability, performance, and resilience
- Ensure the availability, stability, and security of all infrastructure services across on-premise and cloud environments (Azure is essential)
- Oversee capacity management, monitoring, patching, backups, and disaster recovery processes
- Drive improvements in automation, standardisation, and operational efficiency
- Own incident, problem, and change management processes within Infrastructure
- Work closely with the Information Security team to ensure alignment to security frameworks and standards
- Ensure infrastructure meets regulatory, audit, and compliance requirements including FCA, ISO27001, and GDPR
- Lead risk identification, mitigation, and remediation activities
- Oversee delivery of infrastructure elements of IT projects including:
- Cloud migrations
- Data centre improvements
- Network upgrades
- Endpoint modernisation
- Manage third-party vendors, ensuring strong performance and value for money
- Oversee infrastructure budgets, forecasting, and procurement activities
- Evaluate new technologies and suppliers to support strategic developments
About You
Essential Skills & Experience
- Proven experience leading an IT Infrastructure function within a medium to large organisation
- Strong technical background across:
- Azure cloud services
- Networking, firewalls and VPN
- Windows Server, Active Directory and Group Policy
- Storage, backup and disaster recovery
- Endpoint management and MDM (Intune preferred)
Benefits
- 25 days’ holiday (buy/sell flexibility)
- Pension matching, healthcare, life assurance
- Retailer discounts, flexible benefits, and paid volunteer days
- Plus much more
Due to the volume of applications received for positions, it will not be possible to respond to all applications and only applicants who are considered suitable for interview will be contacted.
Proactive Appointments Limited operates as an employment agency and employment business and is an equal opportunities organisation.
Head of IT Infrastructure in Reading employer: Proactive.IT Appointments
Contact Detail:
Proactive.IT Appointments Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of IT Infrastructure in Reading
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the IT sector, especially those who might know someone at the organisation you're eyeing. A friendly chat can sometimes lead to a referral, which is gold dust in the job market.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company’s tech stack and recent projects. Show them you’re not just another candidate; you’re genuinely interested in their work and how you can contribute to their infrastructure goals.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your leadership stories! Be ready to share examples of how you've led teams through challenges or implemented successful strategies. This role is all about leadership, so let your experience shine through.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take that extra step to connect with us directly.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of IT Infrastructure in Reading
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Head of IT Infrastructure role. Highlight your experience with Azure, networking, and team leadership. We want to see how your skills align with our needs!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter should tell us why you're the perfect fit for this position. Share specific examples of your past achievements in IT infrastructure and how they relate to the responsibilities outlined in the job description.
Showcase Your Leadership Skills: Since this role involves leading a team, make sure to emphasise your leadership experience. We love seeing how you've coached teams to success and driven transformation initiatives in previous roles.
Apply Through Our Website: For the best chance of getting noticed, apply directly through our website. It streamlines the process and ensures your application lands in the right hands. We can't wait to hear from you!
How to prepare for a job interview at Proactive.IT Appointments
✨Know Your Tech Inside Out
Make sure you brush up on your technical knowledge, especially around Azure cloud services, networking, and disaster recovery. Be ready to discuss specific projects you've led or contributed to that showcase your expertise in these areas.
✨Showcase Leadership Skills
Prepare examples of how you've successfully led teams and driven transformation initiatives. Highlight your coaching style and how you've developed high-performing teams in previous roles, as this is crucial for the Head of IT Infrastructure position.
✨Understand the Business Context
Familiarise yourself with the organisation's goals and how the IT infrastructure supports them. Be prepared to discuss how you would align the infrastructure strategy with the broader business objectives, demonstrating your strategic thinking.
✨Be Ready for Scenario Questions
Expect questions that assess your problem-solving skills in real-world scenarios, such as managing incidents or ensuring compliance with regulations like GDPR. Think through your past experiences and be ready to articulate your thought process and decision-making.