The Head of IT Operations is accountable for the safe, resilient, reliable, and cost‑effective operation of all IT services across the organisation, ensuring front‑line and supporting functions can deliver high‑quality care without disruption.

The role leads Infrastructure and Service Desk functions, providing end‑to‑end operational ownership of live services, including Assisted Technology, and full accountability for supplier performance, service levels, and associated risks. Working in partnership with Business Applications, Data, and Cyber functions, the role enforces operational standards and readiness to maintain stability, security, and usability across the IT landscape.

The postholder has delegated responsibility for management and control of the full IT budget, including forecasting, cost optimisation, and supplier spend, operating within agreed parameters. Acting as the Director of ITs delegated authority, the role ensures services are controlled, measurable, and auditable, providing executive assurance that operations are stable, risks are proactively managed, and priorities remain aligned to organisational need and care impact. The role is also accountable for delivery of IT Annual Business Plan commitments within its remit.

Dimensions

Leadership of IT Operations function including Service Desk, Infrastructure and Project Delivery teams
Accountability for operation of all live IT services across a multi-site, 24/7 care environment
Delegated responsibility for the full IT operational budget, including supplier spend and cost control
Oversight of multiple third-party suppliers and service partners delivering critical IT services
Operational dependency across all business services supporting care delivery

Principal Accountabilities

Service Operations

Own all live IT and Digital services, including Assisted Technology, ensuring availability, performance, resilience, and security
Ensure effective operation of IT services within a 24/7 care environment
Act as Major Incident Lead, providing command, coordination, and executive communication during critical incidents
Own disaster recovery and service continuity arrangements, ensuring controlled and timely restoration of services

Financial and Supplier Control

Manage and control the IT budget, including forecasting, cost optimisation, and supplier spend, within agreed parameters
Hold accountability for supplier performance, service levels, and associated risks
Lead supplier governance, performance management, and contract re-negotiation to ensure value for money
Ensure suppliers operate effectively within AFG’s IT operating model

Assurance and Control

Ensure IT services are stable, controlled, measurable, and auditable
Provide clear visibility of service performance, financial position, and technical risk
Identify, manage, and report operational risks, ensuring proactive mitigation
In partnership with Enterprise Applications, Data, and Cyber teams, enforce operational standards, controls, and service readiness across all live services

Leadership

Lead and develop IT Operations teams, ensuring performance, capability, and resilience
Provide clear direction and accountability across Service Desk and Infrastructure functions
Build a culture of service excellence, ownership, and continuous improvement

Strategy and Transformation

Deliver all IT Annual Business Plan commitments within remit
Contribute to development and execution of IT & Digital strategy, ensuring operational viability
Ensure effective transition of new systems and services into live operation

Experience

Significant experience in IT operations leadership at Head of, equivalent or above level
Experience leading Service Desk and Infrastructure teams within a complex, multi-site environment
Demonstrable ownership of live service performance and operational stability, including within 24/7 environments
Proven experience managing and holding to account multiple suppliers and service partners
Experience of managing and controlling IT budgets at scale, including forecasting and cost optimisation
Experience leading major incident response and service recovery
Experience operating at senior level, contributing to strategy while maintaining operational control and delivery

Skills & Knowledge

Solid technology knowledge of cloud platforms (M365, Azure, identity-led architecture)
Strong cyber security knowledge, including accredited industry frameworks (ISO27001, SOC2, Cyber Essentials, or equivalent)
Practical understanding of operational cyber controls (identity, endpoint, patching, vulnerability management, monitoring)
Understanding of ITIL or equivalent service management frameworks
Proven ability to establish and maintain control of live services, ensuring stability, resilience, and performance
Strong financial and commercial acumen, including budget control, forecasting, and value for money
Strong understanding of supplier management, including SLA management, performance enforcement, and commercial challenge
Ability to provide clear, assurance‑led reporting on service performance, financial position, and operational risk
Ability to lead and coordinate major incident response in a structured and controlled manner
Strong stakeholder management skills, including influencing at senior and executive level
Ability to translate organisational priorities into operational demand control and prioritisation decisions

Values & Attitudes

Demonstrates accountability, ownership, and professional integrity
Operates with a strong focus on service quality, risk management, and continuous improvement
Builds trust and confidence through clear, transparent communication and delivery
Committed to supporting high-quality care through reliable and effective IT services
Aligns with AFG’s values and demonstrates commitment to delivering positive outcomes for people supported

Qualifications and training

Degree-level education
Strong technical grounding across infrastructure, end-user computing, cyber security, and IT operations
ITIL Certification (or equivalent experience)

Other

Participation in on-call / major incident escalation rota where required
This is a predominantly home based role, with travel to our collaboration hub in Liverpool and other sites within the north west required regularly. We therefore require applicants to live within the north west of England with the use of a vehicle to facilitate in person working.

Interview Dates

1st Stage – Week commencing 19th October, in Person in Liverpool

2nd Stage – Week commencing 26th October via Teams

This is a is a predominantly home based role, with travel to our collaboration hub in Liverpool and other sites within the north west required. We therefore require applicants to live within the north west of England with the use of a vehicle to facilitate in person working.

With our extended flexible working options, you can choose to work your 35 hours per week on a 9-day fortnight or a 4.5-day week basis, supporting our employees with their work life balance.

This post is Band IV as per our structure

About Us

We’re Alternative Futures Group, a health and social care charity providing specialist support for people with a learning disability or mental health condition.

We’re proud to have been positively changing lives and enabling people to achieve amazing outcomes for over 30 years.

We have a vision to create a world where amazing people do amazing things every day. Our skilled and experienced teams work with every person we support to create a personalised, outcome-focused plans to achieve their aspirations.

As a ‘values based’ employer, the people that work for us genuinely care about the people they support, and we are seeking likeminded people to join our team. If you are passionate about working in Health and Social Care and have a real desire to make a positive difference to the lives of the people we support then we would love to hear from you.

At AFG we also recognise the contribution and value that our staff make. We would not be able to provide the life changing support that we do without people like you!

In return for your contribution we will support you throughout your career and we provide a wide range of employee benefits, career development and lifestyle support services to ensure that you too feel supported, fulfilled and valued from day one of your employment with us.