Turn2us is a national charity tackling financial insecurity and its structural causes. We work with co-producers and partners to provide people in financial crisis with the means and agency to get back on their feet, build resilience, move forward with their lives and thrive.

As an equal opportunities employer, we are committed to equity, inclusion and diversity and the value people from different backgrounds bring to a team. If, like us, you believe everyone has the right to have enough to live on, and you are ambitious about eradicating financial insecurity, join us and build your career with a charity dedicated to ensuring dignity and equity for all.

About the role

We are looking for an experienced and approachable Head of IT to lead our corporate IT environment and infrastructure, supporting around 100 colleagues working across London, Edinburgh and remotely. You will oversee our Microsoft 365 environment, cybersecurity, connectivity, devices and IT support, while managing our Senior IT Officer and key external suppliers. The role will also lead on data protection, supported by specialist external advice. This is a broad, hands-on role requiring strong technical knowledge, sound judgement and excellent people skills. You will work closely with colleagues across the organisation to ensure our technology is secure, reliable, practical and accessible, and that it supports our hybrid and cloud-based way of working. Microsoft 365 environment, including Teams, SharePoint, Exchange/Outlook, user access, permissions, device management and security.

About you

You will have strong knowledge of cybersecurity, IT infrastructure, connectivity and the practical needs of a highly hybrid workforce, together with experience of managing suppliers, technology projects and IT support services. You will also have a good understanding of data protection and information governance. The ability to explain technical issues clearly to non-technical colleagues is vital. Just as importantly, you will be approachable, collaborative and solutions-focused, with the judgement and interpersonal skills needed to work effectively across the organisation.

We offer flexible working patterns, both in terms of hours and remote working. Please note that all employees are required to work from the office a minimum of 1 day a week.

Some roles may be required to be in the office more often than others and this will be agreed with the hiring manager upon starting at Turn2us.

Please note that all job offers are subject to 2 – 3 satisfactory references and a disclosure satisfactory to Turn2us from the Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS).

Please read the Head of IT job pack for further information.

Job Description

Job Title:  Head of IT

Department:  Finance and Operations

Reports to:  Director of Finance and Operations

Direct Reports: Senior IT Officer               

Location: Hybrid: Turn2us London Hub (Farringdon) & homeworking + occasional visits to Turn2us Edinburgh Hub, as required.

Type of role: Full-time

Purpose of the Role: The Head of IT is responsible for leading and managing the charity’s corporate IT environment and infrastructure, ensuring it is secure, reliable and effective in supporting a highly hybrid workforce. The role leads on Microsoft 365, cybersecurity, connectivity and technology resilience, while managing the Senior IT Officer and key external suppliers. It also leads the charity’s operational data protection, supported by specialist external advice. Working closely with colleagues across the organisation, the postholder will ensure technology is practical, accessible and aligned with the charity’s needs and values.

Key Responsibilities and Accountabilities:

 ·  Lead and maintain the charity’s IT infrastructure, Microsoft 365 environment, devices, connectivity and key suppliers.

·  Oversee cybersecurity, cyber risk, incident response, backup and business continuity arrangements.

·  Ensure effective IT support for staff, manage the Senior IT Officer and work closely with Data, Digital and system owners.

· Lead operational data protection and information governance, supported by external specialist advice.

Duties:

IT infrastructure & Microsoft 365

• Lead and maintain the charity’s corporate IT environment and infrastructure across London, Edinburgh and remote workers.

• Take overall responsibility for Microsoft 365, including Teams, SharePoint, Exchange/Outlook, OneDrive, user access, permissions and security.

• Ensure laptops, office workstations, conferencing equipment, telephony, mobile devices and other IT hardware are secure, reliable and appropriately maintained.

• Oversee office connectivity, networks, Wi-Fi and broadband, ensuring effective support for a highly hybrid workforce.

• Maintain appropriate IT asset, licence, supplier and contract management arrangements.

Cybersecurity & resilience

• Lead the charity’s approach to cybersecurity, including endpoint security, access controls, patching, authentication and vulnerability management.

• Monitor and respond to cyber risks and incidents, working with specialist external advisers where required.

• Maintain appropriate IT disaster recovery, backup and business continuity arrangements.

• Provide advice and assurance to senior leaders on technology and cybersecurity risks.

IT service & people

• Ensure staff receive responsive, accessible and effective IT support.

• Manage and develop the Senior IT Officer, providing oversight and escalation for more complex issues.

• Oversee IT arrangements for staff joining, moving roles and leaving the organisation.

• Promote good use of technology and provide clear guidance and support to colleagues with differing levels of technical confidence.

• Work collaboratively with the Data and Digital teams and provide technical support to owners of other business systems where required.

Data protection & information governance

• Lead the charity’s operational data protection compliance arrangements, supported by external specialists.

• Maintain appropriate data protection policies, procedures, records and guidance.

• Oversee areas such as DPIAs, data subject rights, data breaches, data retention and data-sharing arrangements.

• Provide practical advice to colleagues and ensure data protection is embedded in projects, procurement and organisational decision-making.

• Coordinate appropriate reporting and assurance to senior management and trustees.

These are the normal duties, which the Charity requires from the position. However, it is necessary for all staff to be flexible and all employees will be required from time to time to perform other duties as may be required by the Charity for the efficient running of the charity. This Job Description is non-contractual. It will be reviewed from time to time and may be subject to change.

At Turn2us, we are committed to protecting personnel, children, adults, and service users from any harm arising from each other, themselves, our activities, or organisational failings whilst in contact with us. The post holder will be required to follow the safeguarding policy and will be responsible for integrating safeguarding into all aspects of their work.

The post holder will be expected to ensure that their work complies with contractual terms and conditions, the Charity’s policies and procedures and key legislation, such as data protection and charity law.

Person Specification

Skills and Knowledge:                

·  Strong practical knowledge of Microsoft 365, including Teams, SharePoint, Exchange/Outlook, OneDrive, identity, permissions and device management.

·  Strong understanding of cybersecurity and endpoint security in a cloud-based, hybrid-working environment.

·  Good knowledge of networks, connectivity, hardware and IT service delivery.

·   Good understanding of UK data protection requirements.

·   Strong problem-solving skills and the ability to explain technical issues clearly to non-technical colleagues.

Experience:

·  Substantial hands-on experience of administering and supporting a Microsoft 365 environment, including user management, permissions, device management and security configuration.

·   Experience of taking responsibility for an organisation’s IT infrastructure and supporting a predominantly hybrid workforce.

·   Experience of managing cybersecurity controls, IT suppliers and technology projects.

·   Experience of contributing to or leading data protection and information-governance arrangements.   

·   Preferred experience of managing and developing IT staff.

Personal Attributes:         

·   Approachable, patient and supportive, with excellent interpersonal skills.

·   Able to work effectively with colleagues with very different levels of technical confidence.

·  Collaborative and comfortable working across IT, Data, Digital and operational teams.

·   Pragmatic, solutions-focused and able to balance security with usability.

·   Calm under pressure, well organised and willing to remain hands-on when necessary.

·   Strong judgement and able to communicate risks clearly to senior colleagues.

Turn2us is fully committed to equity, diversity and inclusion in our sector. We want this to be reflected in the diversity of the people who work for us and we are interested in applications from people from varied backgrounds.

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