Head of IT

Location Great Abington, Cambridge CB21 6AD (Agile; approximately 2 days a week from our office)

This is a Permanent, Full Time vacancy. The organisation is embarking on a Digital, Data and Technology (DDT) Programme to enable its goal of raising £120m by 2033. The Technology Initiative includes the Technology Operating Model, Cyber Security, User Experience (e.g. AI, Microsoft tooling), and the move from on prem to SaaS and Azure.

The successful person will be a visible and approachable leader who balances strategic thinking with hands on IT operational management. You'll work with senior stakeholders, lead technical teams, and ensure a high level of service. This role will drive change to evolve IT into a modern, scalable service function and will have 3 direct reports across Operations & Infrastructure, Cyber & Information Security, and End User Systems Management.

• Leadership and Management
• Contributing as a key part of the Digital, Data & Technology leadership team
• Acting as the IT contact for senior business stakeholders
• Building relationships with suppliers (including procurement)
• Managing budgets, resources, and IT governance requirements

• Digital and Technology change
• Driving SaaS and cloud infrastructure migration
• Evolving IT into a modern scalable service function using self service and automation
• Improving the end user experience with IT tools including AI (safe adoption, productivity enablement, guardrails and policy)

• Cyber and Information Security
• Senior operational owner for cyber and information security, accountable for policy, standards, controls and incident readiness
• Leading security operations including threat/vulnerability management, incident response, and risk assessment
• Embedding security by design across cloud (Azure), SaaS, and end user technologies

• Technology Operations
• Leading, mentoring, and developing an IT support and infrastructure team
• Overseeing infrastructure (cloud and on prem), networks, hardware, and end user technology services
• Ensuring high levels of system availability, reliability, and user satisfaction
• Managing support for devices, connectivity, printers, collaboration tools, and business systems
• Managing and improving support processes, SLAs, and operational performance metrics
• Driving service excellence and managing escalated technical issues when needed

• Technology qualifications
• Microsoft Azure (Virtual Machines, Azure SQL, networking and other cloud infrastructure)
• Expertise in hybrid or cloud native environments
• Security tools and services covering identity & access management, endpoint and cloud protection, SIEM/XDR, vulnerability management, and email/domain security
• End user tooling, including emerging AI enabled productivity tools

• Proven experience in a Head of IT, Service Management / Service Delivery leadership role
• Experience leading digital transformation or cloud modernisation programmes
• Experience in owning cyber and information security with accountability for policy, standards, controls and incident readiness
• Technically credible - able to discuss with developers, architects, and IT leadership
• Experience driving continuous service improvement (CSI) and operational excellence
• Track record of delivering service innovation and automation in a growing organisation
• A confident communicator who can represent the IT function professionally at all levels
• Strong troubleshooting and problem solving skills with the ability to manage incidents and complex service challenges
• Commitment to safeguarding, confidentiality and secure handling of sensitive information
• Strong people management experience, including leading, developing and motivating high performing teams
• Experience influencing decision making at senior leadership and executive level
• Strong leadership capability, balancing hands on delivery with short and long term strategic vision
• Outstanding communicator with strong influencing, negotiation, and decision making skills
• Ability to translate complex technical concepts into clear, accessible language
• Strong focus on ownership, accountability, and results delivery with a proactive "can do" attitude
• Strategic and analytical thinker, able to set direction
• High levels of integrity, professionalism and ethical standards
• Curious and adaptable, with a commitment to continuous learning and improvement
• Willingness to be hands on when needed, leading by example within the team

Closing date for applications: 21st June 2026. Interviews arranged once shortlisting is completed. If you cannot attend an interview on a certain date, please indicate in your covering letter. We may move interview or closing dates in exceptional circumstances.

Alzheimer's Research UK is the UK's leading dementia research charity. Our mission is to accelerate progress towards a cure. We stand for everyone affected by dementia and for a cure.

We value diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive culture where everyone can be themselves and reach their full potential. Any offer of employment is subject to the right to work in the UK.

It is important to offer a range of benefits which are designed to meet organisational and individual needs. For more details on working for Alzheimer's Research UK, click here.

Alzheimer's Research UK is a registered charity, numbers and SC042474. 3 Riverside, Granta Park, Cambridge CB21 6AD