IT & Systems Manager

Job Description & Person Specification

IT & Systems Manager

Salary: £35,000 – £42,000 per annum (depending on experience)

Contract: Permanent
Hours: Full-time, 40 hours per week

Location: Manchester, M14 6AX

Reports to: Deputy CEO / Operations Manager

Closing Date: (Interviews to be conducted on a rolling basis)

About READ Foundation

READ Foundation is a UK based registered charity working to provide access to quality education to vulnerable children in our regions of work. We create opportunities for orphan and needy children to go to school, to gain an education and build a better life for themselves. We currently focus on constructing new schools, providing sponsorship for orphans and are now expanding our educational portfolio to reflect the large humanitarian and development needs ongoing throughout the world.

Purpose of Job
To oversee and assist in creating the organisations systems, technology and IT strategy, to oversee the day-to-day operations and to manage the global expansion requirements for the organisation. This involves ensuring the efficient functioning of IT systems and support to meet the technology needs of the organisation.

Main Responsibilities

Included but not limited to;

• Manage READ Foundations cloud and on premises services (Office 365, AWS, Azure, on premises network, on premises domain, on premises print services).
• Oversee systems, IT and data security.
• Define the company’s overall technology strategy to support organisations objectives.
• Ensure sufficient support for IT services is in place including backups and recovery requirements.
• Deliver excellent resilience, risk management and disaster recovery of IT infrastructure and services.
• Provide guidance, mentorship, and performance feedback to team members.
• Work closely with Finance, Marketing and Operations to define and deliver new products and enhancements.
• Guarantee the smooth running of all IT systems, including anti-virus software, print services and email provision.
• Monitor systems performance, identify issues, and implement solutions to ensure optimal functionality.
• Coordinate IT support activities to address technical issues and requests from employees.
• Ensure timely resolution of problems, minimising downtime and disruptions.
• Plan, execute, and monitor IT projects, ensuring they are completed on time, within budget, and according to specifications.
• Evaluate and manage relationships with IT vendors, service providers, and contractors.
• Negotiate contracts, pricing, and service level agreements to achieve cost-effective solutions.
• Implement and enforce cybersecurity policies, practices, and procedures to protect the organization’s data and systems.
• Ensure compliance with relevant industry regulations and data protection standards and governance.
• Manage hardware inventory, procurement, and lifecycle management.
• Oversee the development and delivery of training programs to enhance employees’ IT skills and knowledge.
• Create and maintain documentation for IT processes, procedures, and user guides.
• Ensure that technological processes are in line with relevant laws and regulations.
• Identify cost-saving opportunities and optimise IT expenditures – plan, develop and implement the IT budget and obtain competitive prices from suppliers to ensure cost-effectiveness
• Develop and maintain organisation CRM to ensure efficient running of departments and excellent donor experience
• Management of READ’s website

Company benefits

The position also comes with the following benefits:

1. 32 days annual leave (including Bank Holidays and company-wide holidays)

2. Awards for employee of the year

3. Paid time off for bereavement, sick days and medical appointments

4. Investment in training, professional growth and development

5. Occupational Pension Scheme

READ Foundation is committed to diversity and equality of opportunity in all aspects of our work, along with encouraging a healthy work life balance.

Person Specification

Knowledge

• Strong understanding of various IT systems, including servers, networks, databases, and hardware components.
• Understanding of network architecture, protocols, routing, switching, and security measures.
• Familiarity with cybersecurity best practices, threat mitigation, encryption, access controls, and compliance requirements.
• Knowledge of cloud platforms (e.g., AWS, Azure, Google Cloud) and the ability to assess cloud solutions for the organization’s needs.
• Excellent knowledge of Windows Server software.
• A very sound knowledge of MS Operating Systems and Services.

Experience & Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Information Technology, Computer Science, or related field (Master’s degree preferred).
• Industry standard certification from a recognised body (Microsoft, Amazon, Google, Cisco, or Comptia).
• Proven experience of 5+ years in IT management or leadership roles.
• Strong technical knowledge of IT systems, networks, hardware, and software.
• Salesforce administrator experience is highly desirable.

Skills

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to work effectively with diverse teams.
• Project management skills and experience with project management methodologies.
• Familiarity with cybersecurity best practices and compliance standards.
• Ability to make informed decisions under pressure and solve complex technical problems.
• Experience in vendor management, contract negotiation, and procurement.
• Proficiency in relevant software applications, databases, and cloud services.
• Strong organisational and time management skills.
• Professional certifications such as ITIL, CompTIA, or Cisco are advantageous.
• Experience designing, installing & administering networks and systems.