Head of IT Operations & Security (STR026)

Affinia, (formally LB Group) is a leading, UK Top 50 Accountancy firm. Through successful acquisitions and organic growth, the firm has seen significant development within the last 18 months. Last October, we launched our new brand ‘Affinia’ (www.affinia.co.uk) which saw the coming together of LB Group and six other likeminded firms across the East & South East of England to form a combined challenger accounting, tax and business advisory firm.

With a combined heritage spanning over 300 years, we have more than 400 accountancy professionals based in Stratford, Colchester, Chelmsford, Ipswich, Halstead, Harlow, Orpington, Sidcup and Sutton. We advise businesses, government and public sector organisations and individuals in the UK and internationally across seven principal practice groups: Accountancy & Advisory, Tax and Planning, Audit Services, Corporate Finance, Digital Solutions, Payroll and Financial Planning.

We have invested continuously in technology and gained in-depth knowledge across a broad range of markets, growing through acquisitions and private investment. We offer an exceptional service to our clients, with access to our sector experts to develop the strategy that will help them reach their goals. We keep a finger on the industry pulse, so our clients receive the best short to medium and long-term advice.

Purpose of the role:

This is a broad role, and the holder will be responsible for a growing cloud infrastructure that has doubled in user size over the last 12 months and will continue to grow as the business through acquisition and organic growth. The role will ensure the migration to Azure and Cloud based applications and the adoption of modern workplace technologies is designed and delivered to support the business requirements. This role will have oversight of all IT change management, managing third party suppliers and experience of policy documentation, implementation and risk management. Cyber security and digital workplace solution delivery would be beneficial.

Accountabilities:

• Oversight of the infrastructure design and delivery, incorporating production, DR and cloud-based services
• Manage key partners and outsourced services, ensuring levels of service meet agreed expectations and standards
• Experience in managing technology initiatives and projects
• Experience of managing key outsources functions and third parties
• Oversight of IT governance, Risk and Cyber security
• Develop and mentor team members providing support and coaching as required.
• Develop and maintain policies and procedures, ensure that policies and procedures are in-line with governance requirements.
• Manage our outsourced IT Provider to prioritise and schedule both infrastructure and support work, ensuring that deadlines are met in line with both internal and external customer expectations.
• Ensure adequate problem prevention methods are continually applied to improve service levels and reduce costs.
• Responsible for all technology change management
• Responsible for the Continual improvement of the company’s cyber security posture.

Skills/Qualifications:

Personal requirements
• Ideally 7 years’ + experience with around 3 years+ in an IT management role
• Strong attention to detail
• Experience of migrating companies from on-premises solutions to a cloud first model
• Experience of Acquisition integration and transformation
• Excellent problem-solving ability
• Ability to see projects through to completion
• IT or mathematical degree

Technical skills
Hands-on knowledge and experience of:
• Strong technical grounding, particularly around the Microsoft product suite and Microsoft 365/ Azure
• Project and Vendor Management.
Exposure to the following would be advantageous:
• ITIL frameworks
• SQL Database management, BI Infrastructure components
• Accounting or Regulated Services business.

Use the ‘Apply Now’ link to view the role