IT Manager

IT Service & Operations Manager - Deputy Principal

Are you an experienced IT professional with a strong background in IT service management, infrastructure and technology operations ? MCS Group are delighted to be recruiting for an IT Service & Operations Manager on behalf of Tourism Northern Ireland.

The Organisation

Tourism Northern Ireland is responsible for supporting the development of tourism across Northern Ireland and marketing the region as a tourist destination. The organisation works closely with the tourism industry and partners to support growth, investment and the continued development of Northern Ireland as a leading visitor destination.

The Role

As IT Service & Operations Manager , you will work alongside the Head of IT & Digital Services to oversee the effective delivery, governance and continual improvement of Tourism NI's IT services and operations.

This is a broad technology leadership role covering IT service management, cloud infrastructure, cyber security, supplier and contract management, service transition and people leadership . You will provide technical direction to a multi-skilled IT team while acting as a trusted adviser to senior stakeholders.

The role is based in Belfast , with hybrid working available and travel within Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland required as part of the role. The position is full-time at 36.25 hours per week .

Key Responsibilities

• Lead Tourism NI's IT Service Management (ITSM) processes, including incident, problem, service request and change management, in line with ITIL best practice.
• Monitor IT service performance and KPIs , providing regular reporting and driving continual service improvement.
• Oversee service transition and early-life support , ensuring new and changed services are operationally ready.
• Provide technical oversight of Microsoft Azure and Microsoft 365 , including Exchange, Teams, SharePoint, One Drive and Intune.
• Support cyber security, patch management, endpoint security and IT risk activities across the organisation.
• Lead the procurement and management of IT contracts and suppliers , ensuring value for money and effective service delivery.
• Provide technical advice and reporting to senior management and the Board , including input on IT operations, security and risk.
• Lead and develop the IT Service Desk & Operations team , while supporting budgets, resources and wider technology projects.

The Person

As the successful candidate, you will have a strong background in IT management, infrastructure or service management , combined with experience leading people or technology platforms.

Essential:

Option 1:

• A relevant undergraduate degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, Engineering or an equivalent relevant field .
• A minimum of 3 years' recent experience in an IT management, infrastructure or service management role.
• At least 1 year's experience managing a team or technology platform .

OR

Option 2:

• A minimum of 5 years' recent experience in an IT management, infrastructure or service management role.
• At least 2 years' experience managing a team or technology platform .

Recent experience must have been gained within the last 5 years .
Candidates must also demonstrate competence in at least three of the following areas:

• Cloud infrastructure management, including Microsoft Azure or an equivalent IaaS/PaaS platform .
• IT service management using ITIL or an equivalent framework .
• Cyber security operations or oversight, including security tooling.
• IT contract or supplier management.
• People management or team leadership.

You will also need experience providing technical direction to a multi-skilled IT team, communicating complex technical information to senior stakeholders, managing suppliers and contracts, producing clear reports and briefings, and identifying and managing IT risks.

Desirable:

• ITIL Foundation V4/V5 certification or above.
• Microsoft Azure Administrator Associate (AZ-104) or equivalent Azure platform certification.
• Experience with Darktrace or an equivalent AI-driven network detection and response platform .

What's in it for you?

• Salary of £47,304 - £49,515 , with an additional allowance of £2,122 and generous employer pension contribution.
• Hybrid working , combining home working with Tourism NI's Belfast city centre office.
• Opportunity to lead a broad IT Service & Operations function within a public sector organisation.
• Exposure across IT service management, Azure, Microsoft 365, cyber security and technology operations .
• Opportunity to influence the organisation's Microsoft AI road map , including Copilot and Agent 365.
• Senior-level exposure to IT governance, risk, security reporting and strategic technology decisions .
• Responsibility for IT procurement, supplier management and contract performance .
• Opportunity to lead and develop a multi-skilled IT team .
• Generous annual leave entitlement of 25 days, increasing to 30 days after five years , alongside 12 public/bank holidays.
• Access to the NILGOSC Local Government Pension Scheme , flexible working…