Hands on Head of IT

£60,000–£70,000 | Milton Keynes (hybrid) | Microsoft 365, IT insourcing and M&A integration

The opportunity

TechTrace Partners is working with a growing cyber security business to find an experienced IT Manager who can take ownership of its internal technology environment. The company is bringing more of its IT capability in-house as it continues to grow and acquire new businesses. This creates a need for someone who can strengthen the internal IT operating model, improve consistency across the organisation and support the integration of newly acquired companies. The role combines day-to-day ownership with longer-term improvement work. You will manage suppliers, shape the future IT environment, support acquisition activity and remain hands-on when technical issues need resolving. This is a strong opportunity for someone who wants genuine ownership rather than a narrow support or service-management remit.

What you will be responsible for

You will take ownership of the day-to-day operation, security and development of the company’s internal IT environment. Your responsibilities will include:

• Supporting the transition of more IT services into an internally managed model
• Reviewing the existing technology environment and identifying risks, gaps and improvement priorities
• Owning and administering the Microsoft 365 environment
• Managing user identities, access permissions, device policies and endpoint security
• Supporting and managing security tooling, including CrowdStrike or comparable technology
• Implementing practical security controls across devices, accounts, systems and company data
• Managing employee onboarding, offboarding and access changes
• Providing hands-on technical support and resolving escalated IT issues
• Managing laptops, endpoints, software licences and other IT assets
• Maintaining IT documentation, policies and operating processes
• Managing external technology suppliers and specialist partners
• Supporting infrastructure projects, migrations and wider business change
• Working with senior leadership to prioritise technology investment, risk reduction and future IT requirements
• Building an IT roadmap that supports the continued growth of the business

M&A and business integration

As the company continues to grow through acquisition, you will also support the integration of newly acquired businesses. This will include:

• Assessing the IT environments of acquired companies
• Identifying infrastructure, access, security and licensing risks
• Supporting the migration of users, devices, identities and systems
• Integrating Microsoft 365 environments where required
• Standardising identity, endpoint and security controls across the wider group
• Bringing acquired businesses into the company’s IT policies, processes and governance standards
• Working with senior stakeholders and external partners to deliver integrations with minimal disruption

What we are looking for

We are looking for an experienced IT Manager who is comfortable taking personal ownership and operating across both strategy and delivery. You should be able to demonstrate:

• Experience managing an internal business IT environment
• Strong Microsoft 365 administration and support capability
• Experience managing identity, access, endpoints, devices and user accounts
• A practical understanding of information security and secure IT operations
• Experience with CrowdStrike or similar endpoint detection and response technology
• Experience managing external suppliers and technology partners
• Previous involvement in an IT insourcing project, supplier transition or wider technology transformation
• The ability to manage projects and communicate with senior internal stakeholders
• Strong troubleshooting skills and a willingness to remain hands-on
• The judgement to balance immediate operational issues with longer-term improvement work
• Clear communication with both technical and non-technical colleagues
• The ability to work independently and bring structure to a changing environment

Why consider the role?

This is an opportunity to take genuine ownership of an internal IT environment during a period of growth and change. You will have the autonomy to build a stronger in-house capability, improve how IT is delivered and support the successful integration of newly acquired businesses. The company needs someone pragmatic, accountable and comfortable working without unnecessary layers of management. You will be expected to identify what needs improving, propose a sensible plan and take responsibility for delivering it. This role should suit someone who enjoys combining hands-on IT management with wider business change, security improvement and acquisition integration.