Systems Infrastructure and Data Centre Manager

We're looking for a Systems Infrastructure and Data Centre Manager, Interested?

Do you want a role where you're recognised for what you do, given the opportunity to thrive and have the chance to be the best version of yourself? Interested in joining a great organisation with an employee offer and experience that rivals others? Are you looking for a new challenge? If so, please keep reading as you're just what we're looking for!

The team…

IT Services, within the Resources and Digital Directorate, operates at the very core of the Council's operations, working with services and key stakeholders to empower employees to deliver the Council priorities through the use of technology.

We have made a significant investment into the IT Strategy to further support the council's ambitions, with the key goals of Service, Value, Security and Agility.

We use Microsoft Active Directory alongside Microsoft Entra ID to manage and monitor the Gateshead domain, ensuring over 4600 users have secure access to their required applications, files and folders.

We manage and safeguard over 400 servers with our corporate backup solution, and provide systems such as VMware, Citrix, Azure and Microsoft 365.

About the role….

We are looking for a talented and committed Systems Infrastructure and Data Centre Manager to lead our Systems Infrastructure and Data Centre Team in the design, implementation, development and support of the Council's IT systems and core infrastructure including data centre, server, storage, and systems software.

The successful candidate will:

Deliver and promote best practice, ensuring standards are adhered to and that the best possible levels of service are delivered and maintained, whilst adhering to Council strategies, corporate priorities, policies, and procedures to ensure the delivery of high quality, customer focused service provision.

Have a good working knowledge of Active Directory, Microsoft Entra ID, Microsoft Server operating systems, Storage Area Networks, Azure Cloud, Microsoft 365, VMware, Citrix, on premise and cloud backup solutions and Data Centre Management.

Continuously evolve the Cloud, Datacentre, Infrastructure and Shared Platforms in a structured and secured manner

Work with the IT Senior Management Team to improve the service delivered through effective leadership, excellent communication, the use of management information, working proactively with internal and external stakeholders and customers.

Contribute to the preparation and implementation of corporate IT budgets, strategies, standards, methodologies and documentation, including the preparation of business cases and project benefits realisation plans.

Be a good motivational leader with the skills to develop and influence teams and individuals across all levels. You also need to get the best out of the resources available, developing and empowering employees and organising resource effectively, and negotiating with 3rd party suppliers to ensure that the highest levels of performance are achieved.

Measure performance and analyse trends to identify efficiencies and opportunities for improvement.

Have excellent written and verbal communication, and a proven ability to communicate effectively to elected members, senior managers, and staff and at all levels, using a range of mediums

This role is key in ensuring that we meet our strategic objectives in providing an agile, secure and modern service that meets the needs of our customers, delivering the operational activities which support all of the council's services. You will drive positive change and ensure an enhanced IT service is provided to the organisation.

Gateshead is a constantly changing borough combining modern facilities with a fascinating heritage and the demand for our services continues to grow. We engage with many partners and contract a high number of services to deliver the best outcomes for our community. We're truly committed to providing our customers with the highest quality of service and we need like-minded people who can help us deliver a sector leading service. We need people who want to make a difference, who are talented, possess the right knowledge and skills and who want the chance to demonstrate how good they are.

People really are our greatest asset at Gateshead Council, and we value every employee. We encourage our people to think differently, do the right thing and be innovative.

What's in it for you? Well, there's so much on offer and here's just a few of the highlights!

You'll be paid a competitive salary £49764 - £52805 pa
We'll help you save for your future with an outstanding employer contribution to your pension.
You will receive an annual leave entitlement starting at 28 days per year (pro-rata for part time employees) rising to 32, 2 of which may be fixed by the council at any time. You also have the chance to buy up to 10 additional holidays per year.
You'll have the opportunity to participate in the Council's Flexi time scheme, subject to management approval and business needs, which could be up to 26 flexi days per year.
We offer hybrid working arrangements to ensure a positive work life balance.
A robust Workforce Development offer with opportunities for learning to progress your career and to enhance your knowledge in specific areas.
You'll have access to great health and wellbeing support, including discounted membership to GO Gateshead Leisure Services and ability to use our cycle to work scheme.
You'll have access to our new benefits platform VIVUP where you can get discounts and offers on online and high street shopping

It's time to apply!

We're delighted that you want to come and work with us. Please take a look at the full job profile via this link Job Profile. It's important that you read it in full and check that you meet the essential criteria, because when we start choosing people to come and meet us, we'll be checking to ensure that they meet the essential criteria as set out in the job profile.