Deputy Head of IT – Infrastructure & Security

Role Overview

The Deputy Head of IT is a strategic and hands-on leadership role responsible for overseeing three critical domains: Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS) , Office IT (end-user computing, workplace technology, and collaboration tools), and Information Security. This role acts as the second-in-command within the IT function, ensuring that the company’s hybrid cloud infrastructure, internal workplace systems, and security posture are reliable, scalable, and resilient. The ideal candidate blends deep technical expertise with leadership capabilities and a risk-aware mindset.

Key Responsibilities

1. Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS) & Cloud Operations

• Design, deploy, and manage IaaS platforms (e.g., AWS, Azure, GCP, or private cloud) including compute, storage, networking, and backup/disaster recovery solutions.
• Optimize cloud spending, performance, and capacity planning while ensuring high availability (99.9%+).
• Implement Infrastructure as Code (IaC) and automation (Terraform, Ansible, or equivalent) to improve deployment speed and consistency.
• Manage hybrid connectivity between on-premise data centers and cloud environments.
• Lead incident response, root cause analysis, and remediation for infrastructure-related issues.

2. Office IT & Workplace Technology

• Oversee end-user computing (EUC): laptops, desktops, mobile devices, printing, AV/meeting room systems, and remote work tools (VPN, VDI).
• Manage collaboration platforms (Microsoft 365, Google Workspace, Slack, Zoom, etc.) and ensure seamless user experience.
• Implement device management solutions (MDM / EMM) and software deployment tools (Intune, JAMF, SCCM).
• Provide tier-2/3 support escalation and maintain SLAs for internal workplace services.
• Lead office network infrastructure (LAN/WLAN, firewalls, switches) and ensure stable connectivity across all locations.

3. Information Security

• Develop, implement, and maintain information security policies, standards, and incident response plans aligned with industry frameworks (ISO 27001, NIST, CIS).
• Manage security technologies: endpoint protection, SIEM, DLP, IAM (MFA/SSO), vulnerability scanning, and patch management.
• Conduct regular risk assessments, internal audits, and penetration tests; coordinate remediation efforts.
• Lead security awareness training for employees and enforce data protection regulations (GDPR, CCPA, etc.).
• Monitor for threats, manage security incidents, and ensure business continuity/disaster recovery (BC/DR) testing.

4. Team Leadership & Strategic Support

• Act as the deputy to the Head of IT, stepping in for leadership and decision-making when required.
• Supervise, mentor, and develop a cross-functional team (IaaS engineers, IT support, security analysts).
• Drive operational excellence by defining KPIs, monitoring service health, and managing budgets (capex/opex).
• Collaborate with other departments (HR, Legal, Finance, Product) to align IT infrastructure and security with business goals.
• Evaluate emerging technologies and recommend strategic investments.

Qualifications & Experience

Essential

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Information Systems, Cybersecurity, or related field (or equivalent experience).
• Experience: 7+ years in IT infrastructure/operations, with at least 3 years in a leadership or supervisory role (team lead, manager, or deputy).
• Technical Depth:
• Strong hands-on experience with IaaS: AWS, Azure, or GCP (certifications like AWS Solutions Architect, Azure Admin are a plus).
• Proven experience with office IT: Windows/macOS fleet management, Microsoft 365/Google Workspace, networking (Cisco/Meraki/Aruba), MDM (Intune/JAMF).
• Solid security background: risk management, endpoint security, IAM, SIEM, and compliance frameworks.
• Soft Skills: Excellent communication, crisis management, cross-functional collaboration, and decision-making under pressure.
• Language: Fluent English (written and spoken); [additional local language if needed].

Desirable

• Master’s degree or MBA.
• Professional security certifications: CISSP, CISM, CEH, or CompTIA Security+.
• ITIL v4 Foundation or similar service management certification.
• Experience with ISO 27001 implementation or SOC2 audits.
• Scripting/coding skills (Python, PowerShell, Bash) for automation.