Job Description

We are seeking an experienced Head of Technical Operations to lead and evolve the foundational technology services that enable the company’s global operations to run reliably, securely and efficiently. This is a senior leadership role responsible for the strategy, design and governance of the infrastructure, platforms and architectural frameworks that underpin all business systems.

Operating within a security-first, cloud-second, hybrid-third environment, the Head of Technical Operations ensures that all technology environments are stable, scalable and aligned with enterprise architectural standards and recognised security frameworks, including ISO27001, NIST 800-53, NIST 800-171, Essential 8 and Cyber Essentials Plus.

The role owns the technical ecosystem that supports modern working across the organisation, balancing resilience, performance and cost efficiency. It provides architectural oversight across infrastructure and platforms, ensuring that technology evolves in line with business strategy and long-term transformation goals.

The Head of Technical Operations will manage and govern key managed service partners, particularly for specialist networking services, enabling the internal team to focus on architecture, automation, lifecycle management and vendor governance.

Key Responsibilities:

Technical operations leadership

• Provide strategic leadership for Technical Operations, ensuring infrastructure and platforms consistently support business objectives.

• Own and evolve the technical operating model aligned to security, architectural and cost management principles.

• Manage the relationship with Managed Service Partners (MSP).

Cloud and platform management

• Oversee cloud infrastructure and platforms, including Microsoft Azure, Microsoft 365 and Software-as-a-Service environments.

• Ensure core services such as identity, access management, storage and compute are secure, resilient and scalable.

Architecture governance and standards

• Provide architectural oversight across infrastructure and platforms, ensuring adherence to enterprise design principles.

• Define, maintain and govern technical standards, patterns and reference architectures.

Platform automation and lifecycle management

• Drive automation across infrastructure and platforms to improve reliability, efficiency and repeatability.

• Own platform lifecycle management, ensuring technologies remain current, supported and cost optimised.

Network oversight

• Provide governance and technical oversight of network services delivered by managed service providers.

• Ensure network design and operations align with architectural standards and security requirements.

Resilience, availability and performance

• Own capacity, performance and availability management across all infrastructure and platforms.

• Lead disaster recovery and business continuity planning, testing and continuous improvement.

Asset and configuration management

• Ensure accurate technology asset management and configuration management practices are in place.

• Maintain visibility and control of infrastructure and platform estates.

Security alignment

• Ensure consistent alignment of infrastructure and architecture with security frameworks and controls.

• Collaborate closely with Information Security to embed security-by-design across all technical services.

Delivery collaboration

• Work closely with IT Project Management and delivery teams on infrastructure and platform-related initiatives.

• Provide technical input, assurance and oversight for transformation and change programmes.

Outcomes

• Stable, scalable and secure technology foundations supporting global operations.

• Reduced unplanned downtime and improved system resilience.

• Strong alignment of infrastructure and architecture with recognised security frameworks.

• Efficient lifecycle management, ensuring technology estates remain current and cost effective.

• A clear, coherent technical roadmap that supports business growth and transformation initiatives.

About you

You are an experienced technology leader with a strong background in infrastructure, cloud platforms and enterprise architecture within complex, security-conscious environments. You bring a strategic mindset, balanced with a deep understanding of operational realities.

You are comfortable operating in hybrid environments and working closely with managed service partners, ensuring strong governance, accountability and service quality.

You’ll bring with you experience and capabilities including:

• Proven leadership experience in technical operations, infrastructure or platform services.

• Strong experience with cloud platforms, particularly Microsoft Azure and Microsoft 365.

• Deep understanding of infrastructure architecture, identity, access management and core platform services.

• Demonstrable experience aligning technology operations with security frameworks such as ISO27001 and NIST.

• Experience managing and governing managed service providers.

• Strong stakeholder management skills, with the ability to communicate complex technical concepts to non-technical audiences.

• Experience defining technical roadmaps and operating models that support business strategy.

You’re good at:

• Balancing strategic thinking with operational delivery.

• Designing resilient, scalable and secure technology environments.

• Driving standardisation, automation and continuous improvement.

• Working collaboratively across technology, security and business teams.

• Making informed decisions that balance risk, cost and performance.

WHAT YOU’LL GET

A competitive salary and benefits package that includes 27 days holiday per year, pension contributions, private healthcare, discounted dental insurance, enhanced maternity/parental leave, plus a whole host of others including:

• Cultural stimulation allowance - £250 per person per year

• Half days off before bank holidays

• Emergency care days for dependants

• Up to 5 days volunteering leave per year to work for a registered charity

• Up to 10 days special emergency leave per year

• Season Ticket loan

• Payroll Giving Scheme

• Thursday drinks to unwind and socialize

• An annual Summer and Christmas party

• Our commitment to Diversity and Inclusion sees us offer inclusive bank holidays

We also offer learning opportunities around D&I, targeted mentoring programmes and the opportunity to participate in several active Employee Led Networks and associated events. Finally, this role will be supported with all the necessary personal development required to set someone up for success.

ABOUT M&C SAATCHI GROUP

M&C Saatchi Group is a creative company that connects specialist expertise, fuelled by data, technology, and culture, to help clients navigate, create, and lead meaningful change. The Group operates across five core divisions: Connected Creativity; Passion Marketing; Global & Social Issues; Brand, Experience & Innovation; and Performance Media. Headquartered in London, operations span 23 countries with major hubs in the UK, Europe, US, Middle East & Africa, Asia and Australia. M&C Saatchi Group’s two principles, Diversity of Thought and Brutal Simplicity of Thought, guide how they build teams and solve problems.

M&C Saatchi Group is an Equal Opportunity Employer which does not discriminate, celebrates diversity and bases all hiring and promotion decisions solely on talent and capability, without regard for any personal characteristics.

All employee information is kept confidential according to General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).

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