Group I.T Manager

Job Title: Group IT Manager
Reporting to: Group Quality and Compliance Director
Department: I.T in House Team
Location: Northamptonshire
Salary: £30,000 - £40,000
(Depending on experience)
Job I.D: 10106

Job Purpose:
Responsible for the computer systems within all of the group companies, overseeing installation, ensuring back-up systems operate effectively, purchasing hardware and software, providing the ICT technology infrastructures for the organisation and contributing to organisational policy regarding quality standards and strategic planning.
Working closely with decision makers in other departments/companies to identify, recommend, develop, implement, and support cost-effective technology solutions for all aspects of the organisation. Defining and implementing IT policies, procedures, and best practices. Managing and mentoring the other members of the IT department.

Key Accountabilities:
* To plan, co-ordinate and direct activities associated with the support and maintenance of the technical infrastructure and line of business applications, comprising: server platforms, storage, virtualisation, desktops, voice and data networks, remote devices
* To manage the control of changes to environments, ensuring the availability and stability of IT services are not put at risk whilst driving change forward.
* To manage and maintain the IT infrastructure and related facilities in line with best practice, and agreed service levels.
* Managing and mentoring the other members of the IT department, as appropriate.
* To evaluate the functionality of Group IT systems.
* To liaise with supply chain to provide the best hardware / software solutions and packages for Company progression.
* To maintain and administer Intranet / SQL Database / back office systems
* To test and modify systems to ensure that they operate reliably.
* To define and deliver IT infrastructure projects.
* To identify opportunities to further develop and improve the architecture, functionality and operational performance of systems.
* To design maintenance procedures and put them in to operation.
* To oversee service operation and uptime - monitor, control and measurement of services.
* To implement and manage security or integrity and backup procedures. Disaster recovery / Business continuity.
* To schedule upgrades for group IT systems as needed.
* To manage IT budgets.
* To consult with computer users to ascertain needs and to ensure that facilities meet user or project requirements.
* To provide user training, support, advice and feedback.
* To manage secure network access for remote users.
* To keep up to date with new technology.
* To harmonise systems and software across group companies where applicable, leveraging purchases to yield cost savings.
* To create, update and renew any IT related policies and procedures across the group.
* To ensure adherence with software licensing laws.
* To manage CCTV and access control security systems.
* To fully understand the Business and Departmental plans and how these impact on day to day responsibilities.
* To actively promote and contribute to the delivery of the annual key objectives
* To retain confidentiality of any sensitive information relating to the Group, its members or staff. Confidential information means any information of a secret or confidential nature and includes (but is not limited to) documentation relating to the work of the Group, technical information (including that relating to our website and its future development, as well as email communication), unpublished financial information of all kinds, proceedings of any Committee/ Senior Management Team/board meetings and any commercial or trade secrets/ inventions or discoveries, information which you have been told is confidential or which you might reasonably be expected to know is confidential.
* The above list is not exclusive or exhaustive; post holders are expected to be professional, co-operative and flexible in line with needs of the post, department and the needs of the Group. Technical Competencies

IT Systems Manager Qualifications
* Degree, relevant professional qualification or equivalent such as Microsoft (MCP, MCSA, MCSE, MCIPT) or Cisco (CCNA)

Experience
* Relevant experience in an IT related environment or similar where management of the computer systems is paramount
* Background in an IT service delivery/support function
* Experience in IT infrastructure planning and development
* Experience of supporting telephone systems
* Experience of budget setting, monitoring and control
* Experience of implementing and maintaining quality systems
* MS Office including Microsoft Access

Knowledge
* Knowledge of SQL/MSQL programming language
* MS Office including Microsoft Access
* Windows Server and Client Operating Systems

Skills and Abilities
* Excellent problem-solving skills
* Able to work with others as part of a team
* Ability to communicate effectively with others
* Excellent organisational skills
* Ability to develop systems and processes to manage and deliver required objectives
* Ability to contribute to, monitor and control budgets
* Able to effective manage resources to achieve business objectives
* High level analytical with an ability to deliver creative solutions
* Ability to build relationships; communicate effectively, work under pressure and multi task
* Able to influence positive change within an infrastructure environment
* Ability to translate business needs in to technology solutions
* Ability to effectively communicate complex technical concepts, both verbally and in writing
Additional Requirements
* Experience of implementing and managing cloud solutions (desirable)
* SQL Programming skills/experience