IT Operations & Security Engineer

IT Operations & Security Engineer to manage the IT infrastructure, cloud services, and cybersecurity environment. Hands-on technical expertise with operational leadership, vendor management, and security best practice to ensure the systems remain secure, resilient, and highly available. This is a hands-on technical role requiring strong experience across Microsoft technologies, virtualisation, networking, cybersecurity, and IT operations.

About the Role

We are seeking an experienced IT Operations & Security Engineer to manage and enhance the IT infrastructure, cloud services, and cybersecurity environment. This role combines hands-on technical expertise with operational leadership, vendor management, and security best practice to ensure the systems remain secure, resilient, and highly available.

The successful candidate will play a key role in supporting and improving the organisation's Microsoft cloud and on-premises infrastructure, delivering infrastructure and security projects, maintaining disaster recovery capabilities, and ensuring compliance with industry best practices.

This is a hands-on technical role requiring strong experience across Microsoft technologies, virtualisation, networking, cybersecurity, and IT operations.

Occasional travel to the London office and other business locations, together with occasional out-of-hours work for planned maintenance or major incidents, will be required.

Key Responsibilities

IT Operations

• Manage and oversee third-party vendors responsible for supporting Azure, Microsoft 365, servers, networks, storage, and end-user infrastructure.
• Monitor system performance, capacity, and availability, identifying and implementing improvements.
• Deploy, configure, maintain, and patch cloud and on-premises infrastructure.
• Administer Microsoft Entra ID (Azure Active Directory) and Identity & Access Management (IAM).
• Manage Microsoft Hyper-V virtualisation environments.
• Automate operational tasks using PowerShell and scripting tools.
• Manage backup, disaster recovery, and business continuity processes.
• Troubleshoot and resolve infrastructure, server, networking, and hardware issues.
• Deliver infrastructure, cloud, cybersecurity, and disaster recovery projects.
• Maintain hardware, software, and asset inventories.
• Ensure adherence to ITIL Incident, Change, and Problem Management processes.
• Deputise for the Head of Information Services when required.

Cyber Security

• Monitor, investigate, and respond to security alerts using SIEM, EDR, Microsoft Defender, or equivalent platforms.
• Perform vulnerability assessments and oversee remediation activities.
• Configure and manage enterprise firewall solutions.
• Manage endpoint security, email security, and cloud security controls.
• Implement and maintain cybersecurity policies, standards, and technical controls.
• Support Cyber Essentials Plus compliance and contribute towards ISO 27001 and NIST best practice.
• Lead root cause analysis following security incidents and implement corrective actions.
• Evaluate and implement new infrastructure and security technologies.

Collaboration & Governance

• Work closely with internal teams and third-party technology partners.
• Provide technical guidance and mentoring to colleagues.
• Support audits, security awareness initiatives, and risk assessments.
• Produce and maintain accurate technical documentation.
• Recommend and implement continuous service improvements.

Essential Skills & Experience

Candidates must have:

• Strong hands-on Microsoft Azure administration and support experience.
• Strong experience managing Microsoft Hyper-V environments.
• Hands-on experience configuring, managing, and troubleshooting enterprise firewall solutions (Fortinet, Palo Alto, Cisco, Sophos, Check Point, or similar).
• Experience administering Microsoft Entra ID (Azure Active Directory) and Identity & Access Management (IAM).
• Strong Microsoft 365 administration experience.
• Experience supporting Windows Server environments.
• Experience managing hybrid cloud and on-premises infrastructure.
• PowerShell scripting and automation.
• Strong networking knowledge including TCP/IP, DNS, DHCP, VLANs, VPNs, routing, and switching.
• Experience with backup technologies, disaster recovery, and business continuity planning.
• Experience with vulnerability management, patch management, endpoint security, and Microsoft Defender.
• Experience using SIEM and EDR security monitoring platforms.
• Strong understanding of ITIL Incident, Change, and Problem Management.
• Experience managing third-party vendors and managed service providers.
• Excellent troubleshooting and analytical skills.
• Excellent written, verbal, and documentation skills.
• Ability to prioritise multiple tasks and work effectively under pressure.

Desirable Qualifications

• ITIL Foundation Certification.
• Microsoft Azure Administrator Associate (AZ-104) or equivalent.
• Microsoft Security certifications (SC-200, SC-300, AZ-500).
• Cisco CCNA or equivalent networking certification.
• CompTIA Security+, CISSP, or equivalent cybersecurity certification.

Personal Attributes

• Strong ownership and accountability.
• Excellent organisational and time management skills.
• Calm and methodical approach to problem solving.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.
• Proactive and continuously seeking service improvements.
• Strong customer focus with a collaborative working style.

Benefits

• Salary: £70,000 per annum
• Hybrid working
• Pension scheme
• Annual leave entitlement
• Professional training and certification support
• Employee wellbeing programme
• Opportunity to work with modern Microsoft cloud and cybersecurity technologies
• Collaborative and supportive working environment

Robert Walters Operations Limited is an employment business and employment agency and welcomes applications from all candidates