IT Operations Specialist

Department: Business Support

Location: Home based, UK

Reports to: Head of People Operations

Hours: 37.5 per week

Salary: (Depending on experience) 

Role Overview 

Are you an experienced IT professional looking to take ownership of end-to-end technology operations in a dynamic business environment? We're seeking an IT Operations Specialist to join our team and drive our technology infrastructure forward.

In this role, you'll combine hands-on technical support with strategic input, managing our IT operations while strengthening our security posture. You'll have the opportunity to shape our IT processes, implement best practices, and make a real impact on our business operations. Working closely with our Head of People Operations, you'll ensure our technology enables rather than hinders our team's success.

If you're someone who enjoys the variety of managing day-to-day IT operations while also having the scope to drive improvements and maintain robust security standards, this could be the perfect next step in your career. We are offering the right candidate the chance to take ownership of our technology landscape and make it their own.

Key responsibilities:

Support

• Serve as the primary point of contact for all IT-related issues and requests
• Provide timely and effective technical support to all employees, troubleshooting hardware and software problems
• Manage and maintain IT infrastructure
• Implement and maintain IT service management processes and tools

Internal IT Process and System Management

• Develop, document, and maintain IT policies, procedures, and best practices
• Manage software licensing, updates, and patch management
• Coordinate with vendors and service providers for IT-related products and services
• Implement and manage IT asset inventory and lifecycle management

IT Compliance and Security

• Develop and implement IT security policies and procedures
• Conduct regular security audits and risk assessments
• Manage user access controls and permissions
• Implement and maintain security measures such as firewalls, anti-virus software, and intrusion detection systems
• Stay up-to-date with industry security standards and best practices
• Monitor regular phishing simulations to assess and improve security awareness
• Manage and maintain relevant security accreditations (e.g. Cyber Essentials)
• Monitor and respond to security incidents and breaches
• Maintain documentation for security certifications and compliance requirements

IT Security Tender Support

• Responsible for preparing responses to IT Security questionnaires
• Gather and document relevant information about the company's IT security measures and processes
• Support the implementation of any new security measures required to meet tender specifications

Continuous Improvement

• Proactively identify areas for improvement in IT processes and systems
• Research and recommend new technologies that could benefit the company
• Monitor and report on IT performance metrics

Additional Duties

• Undertake any other related tasks as required by the business within the scope of the role

Candidate Specification: 

Essential:

• Extensive hands on Minimum 3 years' experience in an IT support or systems administration role
• Strong knowledge of macOS device management and MDM solutions, with working knowledge of Windows device administration
• Extensive experience with Google Workspace administration and security
• Experience managing hybrid environments (Google Workspace + Microsoft 365)
• Demonstrable experience in implementing and maintaining IT security controls
• Experience with network infrastructure and security systems (firewalls, antivirus, etc.)
• Proven track record in providing excellent technical support to end users
• Strong documentation skills and attention to detail
• Excellent communication skills, able to explain technical concepts to non-technical staff
• Experience in managing IT policies and procedures
• A security certification (e.g., Security+, SSCP, or equivalent practical experience)

Desirable:

• Google Workspace certification
• Experience with security accreditations (e.g., Cyber Essentials, ISO 27001)
• Previous experience preparing security documentation for tenders
• Experience with Jamf / Intune or other MDM tools
• Experience conducting phishing simulations and security awareness training
• Knowledge of IT asset management systems
• Experience working in a business support function
• Knowledge of GDPR and data protection requirements

Company Benefits: 

• Remote first company providing flexibility to work from home
• Pension with up to 5% matched contributions
• 25 days holiday + Flexi bank holidays + 1 day off on your birthday
• A day for volunteering
• Enhanced Maternity and Paternity Leave 
• Health & Wellbeing allowance of up to £30 per month
• Annual Summer and Xmas events
• Company socials including everything from Cambridge College formals, pub nights to team building events
• CPD Allowance alongside quarterly reflections to ring fence time for development and growth
• Private medical insurance and cash plan
• Holiday buy back scheme (up to 10 days p/a)
• EAP with 24 hour confidential support line

Background to the Organisation

We are an education technology company that enables corporate and government organisations to achieve their business goals by educating their workforce with critical digital transformation skills to succeed in the AI era.

We deliver unique and innovative professional education that is accelerating the digital transformation of our clients, advancing the careers of their employees, helping people get into work and closing the digital skills gap. We are in a sector that is crucial to the economy and workforce, with a lot of opportunity for change and innovation. We are at the cutting edge of teaching applied data and digital skills, with our unique patented learning platform EDUKATE.AI offering our clients and learners a unique learning experience. EDUKATE.AI was developed with support from Innovate UK and provides all of our learners with 24/7 immediate feedback on their work, helping accelerate the learning process and providing a sandbox environment to experiment on real world datasets.

Since 2016, we have supported more than 15,000 learners across four continents with nearly 550,000 pieces of code submitted for feedback on EDUKATE.AI. We are trusted by some of the most recognisable brands in the world to educate their workforce, including Microsoft, the NHS, GSK, easyJet, the BBC and John Lewis. Our focus on applied learning to create business impact sets us apart - individual learners have reported applying their skills at work to generate recorded value of up to £40m. 

Values

At the centre of the way we work together and inspire each other to achieve success are these core values:

Entrepreneurial

We take initiative and show entrepreneurial spirit which fuels innovation at Cambridge Spark. This includes identifying opportunities for improvement, taking ownership for implementing solutions effectively and driving improvement by using proof of concepts to demonstrate the feasibility and value of their work.

Team Spirit

Everyone is part of building an open and transparent culture, communicating effectively to raise issues, discuss improvements and share the evidence used to make decisions.

Customer-focused

Our customers are at the centre of everything we do, inspiring us to create great work. We strive to build friendly, professional and lasting relationships with them to better understand and anticipate their needs.

Gold Standard

We are experts in our field and are constantly developing our technology and offering. We set the benchmark in our industry: both in what we offer customers and in how we deliver it.

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Cambridge Spark is an Equal Opportunities Employer and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any kind. Cambridge Spark is committed to the principle of equal employment opportunities for all employees and to providing employees with a work environment free of discrimination and harassment. All employment decisions at Cambridge Spark are based on business needs, job requirements and individual qualifications, without regard to race, colour or ethnicity, ability or disability, gender or gender reassignment, sexual orientation, marital status, religion, age or any other status protected by the laws or regulations in the locations where we operate. Cambridge Spark will not tolerate discrimination or harassment based on any of these characteristics. Cambridge Spark encourages applicants of all ages.