At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead IT operations and security for a cutting-edge AI company in defence.
- Company: Whitespace, a pioneering AI firm focused on national security.
- Benefits: Generous leave, early finishes, competitive salary, and pension schemes.
- Other info: Join a dynamic team tackling real-world challenges with innovative solutions.
- Why this job: Shape the future of IT in a high-impact, secure environment.
- Qualifications: Proven IT management experience and eligibility for UK SC clearance.
The predicted salary is between 70000 - 90000 £ per year.
Whitespace is a sovereign AI company headquartered in Belfast, building the Collective platform for UK defence, national security, and regulated commercial clients. We work on genuinely hard problems in environments where security, reliability, and trust actually matter. We build AI for a living, so we expect the people who run our own estate to think the same way. We are at the point where the systems and habits we set now will shape how the company operates for years.
About the Role
This is a role for someone who treats a company as something worth defending, and who reaches for automation before headcount and has a passion for understanding and implementing where appropriate cutting edge IT Solutions to support and protect the team. You will own the entire corporate IT estate of a scaling defence AI company, stand up endpoint management from the ground up, and harden the whole environment against people who would genuinely like to get in.
Responsibilities
- AI-driven protection and automations
- Security and protection of the estate
- Identity, access, and Google Workspace IT operations and the SaaS estate
- Vendor, network, and infrastructure
- Onboarding and enablement
Qualifications
- Proven IT management or senior IT administration experience in a fast-paced, scaling business.
- Eligibility to obtain UK SC clearance (residency and nationality requirements apply).
Required Skills
- A security-first instinct: you think about how things break and how people get in, and you build to prevent it.
- Practical experience building automation and agentic workflows into your own work, using scripting, AI tooling, or orchestration to remove toil and strengthen controls.
- Strong, hands‑on Google Workspace administration.
- Strong macOS and broader Apple environment experience, including end‑user support.
- Demonstrable experience deploying and running endpoint management (MDM) at fleet scale.
- Solid grasp of identity and access management (SSO, MFA, provisioning) and IT security fundamentals.
- Excellent joiner/mover/leaver, asset management, and documentation discipline.
- A clear communicator who is comfortable working directly with leadership and non‑technical staff.
Preferred Skills
- Hands‑on use of agentic AI tooling and frameworks (API, MCP‑based automations, or similar) applied to real IT or security tasks.
- Experience supporting an ISO 27001‑certified environment, or compliance tooling such as Vanta.
- Exposure to defence, government, or other regulated, high‐assurance settings.
- Scripting and automation (for example shell or Python) for device and account management.
- Detection and response experience, or familiarity with SIEM, log analysis, and incident handling.
- Familiarity with AWS and modern, SaaS‑heavy environments.
Pay range and compensation package
- 25 days' annual leave, plus 8 UK public bank holidays.
- Every Friday in July, August, and December is a company day off, taken without using annual leave.
- The last Friday of every other month is also a company day off.
- On any other working Friday, we finish at 3pm.
- Industry Leading Salary Sacrifice Schemes and Pension.
Equal Opportunity Statement
Whitespace works in UK defence and national security. This role requires eligibility for UK SC clearance. You will need to meet the residency and nationality requirements for clearance, and be willing to undergo and maintain it.
Head of Information Technology in Belfast employer: Whitespace
Whitespace is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work culture that prioritises innovation and security in the fast-paced realm of AI for defence and national security. With generous benefits such as extended leave, early finishes on Fridays, and industry-leading salary sacrifice schemes, employees are empowered to thrive both personally and professionally. The company's commitment to employee growth and cutting-edge technology ensures that you will play a pivotal role in shaping the future of IT operations in a meaningful and rewarding environment.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Information Technology in Belfast
✨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 Whitespace 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 Whitespace 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 Whitespace!
✨Direct Apply to Whitespace
Let's not forget to apply directly through the Whitespace 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 Head of Information Technology in Belfast
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 Whitespace.
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 Whitespace. 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 Whitespace
✨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.
