IT Infrastructure Team Lead

Salary £46,507 to £51,347. Hybrid working (50/50). Permanent, Full time (37 hours per week). Location: Wallingford, Edinburgh, Lancaster or Bangor.

UKCEH is looking for an experienced IT Infrastructure Team Lead to join our team of talented individuals, contributing to scientific discovery and generating the data, insights and solutions that researchers, businesses and governments need to solve complex environmental challenges. Join our dynamic, cross functional team, where you’ll work collaboratively with other IT team managers to shape and implement strategies, policies and procedures to enhance the delivery of our IT services.

A strong technical background managing infrastructure, with experience in automation tooling and infrastructure practices, is key for this role. You’ll lead a multidisciplinary team across multiple sites within the infrastructure functions, ensuring delivery of a resilient, high performing computing environment that supports the evolving needs of UKCEH. Your ability to guide others, promote a positive team culture and drive continuous improvement will be essential.

Your main responsibilities will include:

• Providing day to day operational management of the IT Infrastructure team
• Monitoring and reporting on service requirements, assisting in developing the UKCEH infrastructure
• Development and delivery of a stable, resilient and recoverable infrastructure for UKCEH, implementing service standards and developing common systems and processes based on industry best practice
• Ensuring that all processes used by the Infrastructure Team are thoroughly documented, consistently audited, and regularly improved
• Implement the strategic vision for IT at UKCEH
• Ensuring security by design in all infrastructure requirements
• Build and manage relationships with vendors and service providers
• Coordinate and work on multiple cross-functional initiatives and projects.

For the role of IT Infrastructure Team Lead, we’re looking for somebody who has:

• Experience in an infrastructure support role with a strong technical background, with the willingness and ability to operate in a hands-on capacity
• Proven ability in leading and managing change
• Experience of supporting infrastructure within a multi-site, SME environment
• Managing and delivery technical projects – rollouts, upgrades, migrations, implementations, etc.
• Skills in managing and supporting a wide variety of IT Infrastructure hardware and technologies, including Microsoft M365, AD, Azure, VMware, Storage and Backup technologies, and operating systems such as Microsoft Server and Linux
• Strong networking skills, to include firewalls, TCP/IP, subnetting and routing/switching
• Experience of automation tooling (e.g. Ansible, Puppet, Chef)
• Exposure to AWS and block storage would be advantageous
• Ability to think critically about systems and procedures and to adjust consistently as needed
• Ability to interact confidently across UKCEH combined with the ability explain complex concepts in simple to understand terms.
• Good interpersonal skills including listening and questioning skills
• Excellent written and spoken English communication skills
• Demonstrate commitment to the UKCEH values of excellence, integrity and teamwork

You’ll be joining a leading independent, not-for-profit research institute that’s committed to recruiting talented people like you, progressing your career and giving you the support you need to thrive at UKCEH. Our science makes a real difference, enabling people and the environment to prosper, and enriching society. We are the custodians of a wealth of environmental data, collected by UKCEH and its predecessors over the course of more than 60 years.

Working for UKCEH is rewarding. We appreciate the continuous dedication and contributions of our staff, which is why we provide a comprehensive benefits package that includes financial incentives and wellbeing-oriented perks, such as:

• 27 days annual leave (rising to 29 days after 5 years’ service) plus 3 days for Christmas closure
• 10% employer pension contribution
• Flexible and hybrid working arrangements (role dependant)
• Peer reward and recognition scheme
• Dental insurance, gym/fitness discounts, retail discount portal
• Enhanced maternity and paternity leave
• 24-hour, 365-day support with physical, mental, social, health or financial issues and much more...

Apply today! If this opportunity resonates with you and aligns with your personal career goals, the team would love to receive your application. Please apply by submitting your CV along with a covering letter that highlights any qualifications, skills or experience you believe are relevant to this role.

At UKCEH, we are committed to fostering an inclusive and equitable workplace where everyone—regardless of background, identity, ability, or circumstance—has the opportunity to thrive. As a Disability Confident employer, we actively encourage applications from neurodivergent candidates and those with disabilities. We are happy to provide any adjustments or support you may need throughout the application process—please don’t hesitate to reach out. So, if you’re excited about this role but your experience doesn’t align perfectly with every requirement, we’d love to hear from you anyway. You may be just the right fit for this role or another within our wider team.

Please note: Unfortunately, we are unable to offer visa sponsorship for this role and this does not qualify for endorsement to support a Global Talent Visa application. If you are considering pursuing self-sponsorship, please indicate this in your application so we can take it into account during the recruitment process.