Starting Salary: £50,800 Job Type: Permanent Location: The role will primarily be based from our Head office in Lancaster, however flexible working options can be discussed Contracted Hours: 35 hours per week Monday to Friday (flexible working options considered) Are you passionate about IT? We are looking for a dynamic and experienced IT Operations Manager to join our team and drive the effective delivery and performance of all IT services and operations. About the Role: As the IT Operations Manager, you will be responsible for managing and developing our IT applications and solutions estate, ensuring proactive and targeted IT support to deliver a first-class service to our customers. You will work closely with all areas of the business to align IT operations with business strategies and priorities, managing expectations and demands for a transparent and dynamic portfolio of IT change requests and project workstreams. Reporting to the Head of IT, you will also act as deputy in their absence. Key Responsibilities: In this role, you will ensure our core applications are fit for purpose in terms of availability, performance, and functionality while managing relationships with application suppliers and vendors to meet SLAs and deadlines. You will assist in developing and delivering an IT and Digital strategy that aligns with our strategic goals, actively supporting transformational activities and work programmes. Ensuring customer facing IT services meet demanding SLAs, you will also have managerial accountability for our Service Desk function and foster the development of IT staff capabilities, skills, and knowledge. You will maintain a dynamic portfolio of change requests and project workstreams, allocating resources to meet targets and quality standards. Enhancing internal development capabilities, you will support in-house system design and configuration changes, and oversee all applications upgrade, change, and release management procedures. Governance will be a key focus, as you maintain and update IT policies and procedures, and lead the CAB process, ensuring changes are reviewed regularly with relevant stakeholders. Developing strong relationships with operational teams, you will deliver accurate solutions that meet business requirements and produce a long-term roadmap for the development of the applications estate, aligning with business strategy and operational priorities. Your role will also involve researching new and existing technologies to support business growth and improve stability, performance, or security. The full Job Description can be found by clicking here. So, what are you waiting for? If you like the sound of the role and the organisation, and you think the below attributes describe you well, then we would love to hear from you. Experience of managing IT projects, change requests and deployments Experience of allocating IT resources against high levels of demand through managing expectations and transparent prioritisation Experience of managing and configuring core integrated application services Proven management experience or ability to manage technical teams Experience of managing and liaising with 3 rd party suppliers If you have the following attributes, then we’d be even more impressed: Qualified to degree level in IT or related subject Experience of managing in-house development resources for enhancing application functionality, applications integrations, data analysis and operational workflows Familiarity in using workflow and automation tools such as Power Automate If you have any questions, or would like to discuss this opportunity with the recruiting manager, you can contact John Cafferty, Head of IT at John.Caffertyascentis.co.uk A little more about who we are We are proud to be one of the UK’s leading educational charity groups, encompassing an awarding organisation, a provider of dyslexia intervention software and an online training organisation. Our enthusiastic people bring genuine passion and natural energy to everything that they do and through their infectious energy they transform the lives of thousands of people each year through the power of education. It has never been a more exciting time to join The Ascentis Group as we continue on our journey of growth across the UK and overseas. The Ascentis Group is made up of brilliant people, unique in terms of background, personality, characteristics, experience and skill. We value our people for the differences they bring to the table and believe this diversity is powerful. We are an equal opportunities employer and we are determined to ensure that no applicant or employee receives less favourable treatment on the grounds of gender, age, disability, religion, belief, sexual orientation, marital status, or race, or is disadvantaged by conditions or requirements which cannot be shown to be justifiable. Benefits 25 days annual leave (increasing with service) plus 8 public holidays Annual Leave Purchase Scheme. An additional day off on your Birthday after the completion of the probation period Days gifted during the Christmas period Competitive pension benefits, including a salary sacrifice scheme Tailored learning and development opportunities Incremental service benefits as a family-friendly employer, including enhanced Maternity, Paternity, Shared Parental and Adoption Leave and Pay, Sick Pay, Life Insurance, and Compassionate Leave with Pay Access to informal flexibility, allowing you to flex your working times and location where viable Reward and recognition scheme, regular team building, fun charity fundraising activities. Access to state-of-the-art office and break facilities, including pool table, Xbox, outdoor seating, dressing room, Harry Potter reading room, employee library and more Free luxury bean-to-cup coffee, hot chocolate and tea provided Cycle to Work Scheme Technology purchase scheme Discounted gym membership 24-hour Employee Helpline and a proactive focus on wellbeing with initiatives such as massages at work. Aviva DigiCare health app with access to virtual GP appointments, annual health check and more. Free parking