IT Manager

IT Manager (No direct reports, purely management of services role)

South East London (5 days on site)

£54,000–£57,000 + 17% pension

36 hours per week (8am–4pm, Mon–Fri)

Education sector – enhanced DBS will be carried out for the role

The Opportunity

My client is seeking an experienced IT Manager to take ownership of IT service delivery across a multi-site Education environment. This is a pivotal role focused on managing a third-party MSP, driving service excellence, and leading key elements of a forward-thinking IT strategy through to 2030.

You’ll operate as the bridge between technical suppliers and internal stakeholders, ensuring IT services are reliable, cost-effective, and aligned with organisational goals.

Key Responsibilities

Supplier & Contract Management

• Act as the primary contact for the managed service provider (MSP), ensuring delivery against SLAs, KPIs, and contractual commitments


• Lead supplier performance reviews and proactively address underperformance


• Support consolidation of multiple IT service contracts into a single provider


• Manage relationships with wider IT suppliers (connectivity, software, AV)


• Oversee procurement of IT services in line with best value principles

Asset & Lifecycle Management

• Maintain accurate IT asset registers across hardware and software


• Track lifecycle, licensing, warranties, and refresh cycles (2–3 years ahead)


• Coordinate asset audits and ensure compliant disposal of equipment


• Provide visibility on infrastructure condition and future replacement costs

IT Planning & Strategy Delivery

• Develop and manage annual hardware/software purchasing plans


• Support delivery of a long-term IT strategy, including Microsoft tenancy consolidation and infrastructure upgrades


• Translate strategic goals into actionable workstreams with clear timelines


• Coordinate site readiness for IT changes across multiple locations

Operational Oversight

• Ensure consistent, high-quality IT support across all sites


• Monitor service desk performance and act as escalation point


• Support onboarding of new sites where required


• Maintain cyber security compliance in collaboration with internal and external stakeholders

Governance & Compliance

• Maintain IT policies aligned with legislation and sector guidance


• Ensure compliance with GDPR, safeguarding, and security standards


• Work closely with senior stakeholders to support organisational objectives

About You

• Proven experience managing IT services or contracts within a multi-site environment


• Strong MSP management experience, holding providers accountable to performance metrics


• Solid understanding of Microsoft 365 and tenancy structures


• Experience managing IT assets and lifecycle planning at scale


• Knowledge of infrastructure, cyber security, and data protection principles


• Confident communicator able to engage both technical and non-technical stakeholders


• Highly organised with the ability to manage multiple priorities

Desirable: ITIL, PRINCE2/APM or similar certifications, and experience within education or public sector environments.

What’s on Offer

• Generous pension (17% contribution)


• 28 days annual leave plus bank holidays


• On-site parking


• Opportunity to play a key role in a major IT transformation programme

This is an excellent opportunity for an IT Manager who enjoys combining strategic oversight with hands-on supplier management in a meaningful, multi-site environment.

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