IT Manager

IT Manager (No direct reports, purely management of services role) South East London (5 days on site)£54,000–£57,000 + 17% pension36 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.