At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the strategic direction of technology infrastructure and security for a meaningful charity.
- Company: Join The Donkey Sanctuary, a charity making a real difference in animal welfare.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive pension, private health cover, and 31 days holiday plus more!
- Other info: Hybrid working model with opportunities for personal and professional growth.
- Why this job: Make an impact while working in a beautiful location with a supportive team.
- Qualifications: Senior IT leadership experience in infrastructure and security is essential.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 £ per year.
These are exciting times for the charity, and we have an outstanding opportunity for a self‑motivated and highly professional individual with exceptional analytical, problem‑solving and interpersonal skills to join our Leadership Team.
Role Overview
As Head of Infrastructure and Security, you will lead the strategic direction, design, and delivery of The Donkey Sanctuary's technology infrastructure and security capabilities, ensuring that IT infrastructure services are secure, resilient, and scalable and aligned with business needs.
Responsibilities
- Develop and implement infrastructure and security strategies aligned with organisational goals, ensuring technology platforms are efficient and capable of supporting future growth and innovation.
- Provide expert advice on emerging technologies and security threats to inform strategic planning relating to digital investment and risk mitigation.
- Oversee the design, operation, maintenance and optimisation of networks, servers, storage, and cloud platforms and related services, ensuring they are resilient and efficient.
- Lead cybersecurity initiatives including conducting risk assessments, vulnerability management, and incident response.
- Establish, maintain and continuously improve IT governance frameworks, including policies, processes, standards and controls that support secure and effective service delivery.
- Manage audits, ensure findings are addressed, risks mitigated and the organisation remains fully compliant with data protection legislation and cybersecurity expectations.
- Lead, support and develop infrastructure and security teams, fostering a culture of innovation and continuous improvement.
Qualifications
- Experience in senior IT leadership roles within infrastructure and security domains.
- Strong knowledge of cybersecurity frameworks and best practices.
- Proven experience of managing hybrid environments, including on‑premises and cloud technologies.
- Experience aligning IT infrastructure and security initiatives with organisational objectives.
- Proven ability to lead and develop technical teams.
- Strong stakeholder engagement skills and the ability to translate complex technical concepts into clear business language.
- Analytical approach to solving complex technical and security challenges.
- Location & Working Pattern
Based in Sidmouth, East Devon – an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty – this is a full‑time, permanent role starting on 1 October 2026, working 35 hours per week, 08:30‑16:30, Monday‑Friday.
This is a hybrid working position, combining home and occasional onsite working under our guiding principles for such roles.
The working pattern and requirement for site attendance (for essential meetings) will be agreed between the line manager and post‑holder.
Benefits
- Competitive pension
- Life assurance (4x annual salary)
- BUPA private health cover
- Sickness Income Protection (50% of salary)
- 31 days holiday (including Bank holidays), rising to 34 with each full year of service
- Wellbeing team
- Recorded Pilates and Yoga classes
- Long service awards
- Healthshield plan – reimbursement of some medical expenses up to the specified limits per membership
- Offers, discounts and cashback on shopping, travel and entertainment from participating outlets
- Access to a 24/7 GP and counselling service
- Free parking
- Subsidised restaurant and shop
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