Group IT Manager – Automotive Retail

Location: Dartford, Kent – with travel across local sites
Salary: £60,000–£70,000 DOE
Benefits: Company car, private medical insurance, pension, laptop & mobile
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00am–4:30pm

YourCode Recruitment is working with a long-established automotive retail group to recruit an experienced Group IT Manager to take ownership of technology across its multi-site operation.

With a history spanning around 60 years, the business operates a network of main dealer locations across Kent and the surrounding area, supporting approximately 150 users.

This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced IT Manager, Infrastructure Manager or Senior IT Operations professional who wants genuine ownership rather than becoming another layer within a large corporate IT department.

You will act as the principal internal technology specialist for the business, taking responsibility for IT infrastructure, systems, cyber security, communications, suppliers and technology projects across the Group.

The Role

Based primarily from the Dartford operation, you will oversee the day-to-day performance and continued development of the company's IT environment across multiple locations.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Taking overall ownership of IT infrastructure, systems and technology across the Group

• Managing networks, internet connectivity, Wi-Fi, telephony and communications

• Administering Microsoft environments including Microsoft 365 and Active Directory / Entra ID

• Managing user accounts, permissions, security, directories, backups and business continuity

• Overseeing servers, PCs, laptops, mobile devices, printers and wider IT assets

• Maintaining appropriate cyber-security standards, endpoint protection, patching and access controls

• Taking ownership of significant IT incidents and coordinating a quick resolution

• Managing relationships with external IT, telecoms, software, cyber-security and hardware suppliers

• Managing IT hardware, software and communications procurement and lifecycle

• Maintaining IT asset registers, licence registers and systems documentation

• Reviewing existing technology and identifying opportunities to improve reliability, efficiency and cost

• Supporting managers with reporting, workflows and technology improvements

• Leading technology projects including migrations, infrastructure upgrades, dealership changes and new site requirements

• Supporting IT budgeting, supplier contracts and technology expenditure

• Advising senior management on IT risk, investment and future requirements

• Providing hands-on technical support across Group locations when required

The business uses Keyloop within its dealership environment, so previous experience with Keyloop, Autoline, Drive or another automotive Dealer Management System would be particularly valuable.

What We're Looking For

We are looking for someone who has already taken meaningful responsibility for IT within a commercial organisation and is comfortable combining strategic decision-making with hands-on technical work.

Ideally, you will have:

• Strong experience across IT operations, infrastructure, systems administration or IT management

• Previous responsibility for a multi-site IT environment

• Strong knowledge of Microsoft 365 and Active Directory / Entra ID

• Practical networking, Wi-Fi, internet connectivity and telephony knowledge

• Good understanding of cyber security, endpoint management, backups and disaster recovery

• Experience managing IT assets, software licensing and technology suppliers

• Strong troubleshooting and incident-management skills

• Experience delivering IT infrastructure, migration or implementation projects

• Commercial awareness around IT suppliers, contracts and expenditure

• Excellent communication skills and the ability to work directly with senior management and non-technical users

• A full UK driving licence and willingness to travel between sites

Automotive Experience

Previous automotive retail or motor dealership IT experience would be a significant advantage, particularly experience with:

• Keyloop, Autoline, Drive or similar Dealer Management Systems

• Automotive manufacturer portals and dealership technology

• Multi-site dealership IT infrastructure

However, automotive experience is not essential

Candidates coming from other multi-site environments such as retail, hospitality or other operational businesses will also be considered where they can demonstrate strong technical ownership and the ability to quickly understand new business systems.

Why Apply?

This isn't a traditional corporate IT Manager position where responsibility is divided across multiple teams.

You will have genuine visibility across the organisation and the autonomy to influence how technology, infrastructure and suppliers are used across an established business.

The package includes:

• £60,000–£70,000 salary depending on experience

• Company car

• Private medical insurance

• Company pension

• Laptop and mobile phone

• 20 days' annual leave plus Bank Holidays

• Monday–Friday working

• Training on existing automotive dealership and manufacturer systems

The interview process is refreshingly straightforward, with one face-to-face interview with the Director

If you're an experienced IT Manager, Group IT Manager, Infrastructure Manager or IT Operations Manager looking for a hands-on leadership position within a well-established multi-site business, we'd be interested in speaking with you.

Group IT Manager – Automotive Retail

Location: Dartford, Kent – with travel across local sites
Salary: £60,000–£70,000 DOE
Benefits: Company car, private medical insurance, pension, laptop & mobile
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00am–4:30pm