At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead IT operations, ensuring secure and high-performing systems while driving continuous improvement.
- Company: Join SMG, a dynamic company that values innovation and collaboration.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, wellbeing fund, learning opportunities, and flexible working.
- Other info: Embrace a culture of growth, equity, and fun with a close-knit team.
- Why this job: Be part of a fast-paced environment where your ideas can shape the future.
- Qualifications: Experience in IT operations management and knowledge of Google Workspace and AI platforms.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 66000 £ per year.
Location: Hybrid - minimum 3 days per week in our London office
Salary: From £60,000 + 10% discretionary bonus
About the Role
We are looking for an IT Operations Manager to join our IT team at SMG. In this role, you will lead the delivery of secure, scalable and high-performing IT operations across the business, owning service delivery, strengthening operational governance and driving continuous improvement. You will play a critical role in ensuring our platforms, systems and AI tools are reliable, compliant and optimised to support growth, while building a high-performing, accountable IT function.
If you love variety, thrive in a fast-paced environment, and embrace change with energy, this could be your right role.
Why SMG?
At SMG, we hire for the future, which is fast-moving and changing shape. Do you have the potential to help shape our business? We’re looking for brilliant, diverse talent who want to grow with us—people who are curious, ambitious, and eager to learn, whether as specialists or across teams.
Our culture is everything. If you’re someone who stays honest, stays hungry, stays foolish, and has fun, you’ll feel right at home here. We value those who take ownership of their growth and bring fresh perspectives. That’s why we’re committed to equity, inclusion, and building a place where everyone feels empowered to grow. At SMG, it’s not just about filling a role but building the future together.
- 10% discretionary bonus
- £1,800 yearly wellbeing fund (on top of your salary!)
- Free Headspace subscription
- £500 yearly “Learning Fund” for learning
- 4 extra Wellbeing Days off per year
- 4pm finishes every Friday
- Flexible and hybrid working
Are We What You’re Looking For?
We move fast, adapt quickly, and like to challenge each other. We're looking for people who enjoy the buzz of change, the satisfaction of building something better, and the joy of working with a close-knit, values-driven team. This isn’t for everyone, but if you thrive in this environment, we’d love to meet you!
A Little Bit About You
You’ll bring:
- Proven experience managing IT operations in a growing organisation
- Strong knowledge of Google Workspace administration and identity management
- Experience with enterprise AI platforms, such as GPT Enterprise, or SaaS governance
- Understanding of ISO27001 or structured compliance frameworks
- Knowledge of endpoint management tools, such as Intune or equivalent
- Experience leading, developing and performance managing engineers
- Strong documentation and process standardisation skills
- Commercial awareness with a focus on cost optimisation and value delivery
- A proactive, ownership-driven mindset with strong accountability
- Ability to operate effectively in a fast-paced, evolving environment
- Confidence to challenge and improve existing processes and standards
Desirable:
- ITIL certification, v3 or v4, or equivalent experience
- Experience in media, marketing or multi-client environments
- Microsoft 365 or Entra ID administration experience
- Exposure to AI governance frameworks and data protection alignment
- Experience supporting ISO27001 audits or ISMS documentation
- Automation experience using scripting or workflow tools
Don’t meet every single requirement? We still want to hear from you. If you believe you’d thrive in this role, your unique perspective might be just what we’re looking for.
What You’ll Be Doing
Your days will be dynamic. You might find yourself:
- Owning end-to-end IT operations across service desk, endpoints, SaaS platforms and infrastructure
- Ensuring SLA performance and continuously improving service quality
- Leading major incident management, root cause analysis and issue prevention
- Managing IT budgets, SaaS licensing and vendor relationships to drive value
- Overseeing JML processes, access controls and identity governance
- Administering and governing AI platforms, including GPT Enterprise
- Monitoring AI usage, mitigating risks and ensuring compliance with policies and regulations
- Strengthening security posture through patching, endpoint compliance and audit readiness
- Supporting ISO27001 alignment and maintaining operational evidence
- Leading and developing IT engineers, setting KPIs and driving accountability
- Identifying and implementing automation opportunities to improve efficiency
- Standardising documentation and reducing operational risk and dependencies
Our Values: Stay honest. Stay hungry. Stay foolish. Have fun.
IT Operations Manager in London employer: SMG
At SMG, we pride ourselves on being an excellent employer by offering a supportive work culture that values your skills and contributions. With flexible scheduling and the opportunity to make a real difference in the community through our partnerships with local housing charities, you will find meaningful and rewarding employment while enjoying opportunities for personal and professional growth in Gloucester.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land IT Operations Manager in London
✨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 SMG 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 SMG 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 SMG!
✨Direct Apply to SMG
Let's not forget to apply directly through the SMG 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 IT Operations Manager in London
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 SMG.
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 SMG. 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 SMG
✨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.
