Aka Recruitment are proud to be working with an established multi-franchise automotive retail group to bring you this exciting Group IT Manager position based in Kent Working across a network of dealerships and petrol forecourts throughout South East London, you will take genuine ownership of the Group's technology environment, ensuring systems, infrastructure, communications and dealership technology remain secure, reliable and effective. Working Monday to Friday, 8:00am to 4:30pm, you will be rewarded with a salary of £60,000, depending on experience, alongside an excellent benefits package including a company car, BUPA private medical insurance, company mobile phone, laptop and pension.

Job Duties Include:

• Take overall responsibility for the day-to-day operation and development of the Group's IT environment.
• Own and administer the Keyloop dealer management system and associated dealership and manufacturer systems.
• Manage IT infrastructure across multiple sites, including networks, internet connectivity, Wi-Fi, telephony and communications.
• Manage user accounts, permissions, security, directories, backups and business continuity.
• Oversee servers, PCs, laptops, mobile devices, printers and wider IT assets across the Group.
• Maintain appropriate cyber-security standards, endpoint protection, patching, access control and data protection.
• Manage relationships with external IT, telecoms, software, cyber-security and hardware suppliers.
• Take ownership of IT incidents and ensure critical issues affecting dealership operations are resolved quickly.
• Manage the procurement, installation, replacement and lifecycle of IT hardware, software and communications equipment.
• Coordinate system installations, upgrades and changes with departmental managers while minimising disruption to the business.
• Maintain accurate IT asset and licence registers alongside comprehensive systems documentation.
• Review existing systems and identify opportunities to improve reliability, simplify processes and reduce unnecessary costs.
• Support department heads with management information and help teams make better use of dealership and manufacturer systems.
• Develop reports, forms, workflows and technology solutions to improve business efficiency.
• Manage technology projects including system migrations, new dealership openings, refurbishments, manufacturer system changes and infrastructure upgrades.
• Support new employees and managers with system access and appropriate systems training.
• Work with management to establish effective IT policies, controls and disaster-recovery arrangements.
• Monitor supplier performance, contracts and expenditure while assisting with the Group IT budget.
• Attend management meetings and provide clear advice to directors and managers regarding IT risk, investment and future requirements.
• Regularly visit Group sites and provide hands-on support when required.

Requirements:

• Significant experience within IT operations, infrastructure, systems administration or IT management in a commercial organisation.
• Experience supporting a multi-site organisation with the ability to balance strategic decisions, supplier management and hands-on problem solving.
• Strong practical understanding of business networking, internet connectivity, Wi-Fi and telephony.
• Experience administering Microsoft business environments including Microsoft 365, Active Directory/Entra ID or comparable platforms.
• Good understanding of cyber security, user access, endpoint management, backups and disaster recovery.
• Experience managing IT assets, software licences and technology suppliers.
• Strong problem-solving skills with the ability to coordinate internal and external resources to restore services quickly.
• Strong project management and organisational skills.
• Excellent communication skills with the ability to explain technical issues clearly to non-technical colleagues.
• Strong commercial awareness and the ability to assess technology expenditure based on business value.
• Full UK Driving Licence and willingness to travel regularly between Group locations.

Desirable Experience:

• Experience with Keyloop, Autoline, Drive or another automotive Dealer Management System
• Previous IT experience within a motor dealership or automotive retail group
• Experience supporting multi-site retail, hospitality or other operationally intensive businesses.
• Knowledge of Cyber Essentials or similar cyber-security frameworks.
• Experience with dealer manufacturer portals and automotive retail systems.
• IT supplier and contract negotiation experience.
• Experience with system implementation, migration or dealership acquisition projects.

Motor-trade experience is advantageous but not essential, with strong multi-site IT Managers from other commercial sectors also encouraged to apply.

Reasons to Apply:

• Company car.
• BUPA private medical insurance.
• Company mobile phone and laptop.
• Company pension.
• Monday to Friday working hours.
• Training and familiarisation with existing dealership and manufacturer systems.
• Genuine opportunity to take ownership of technology within an established, privately owned automotive business.
• A varied role with visibility across the entire organisation and the opportunity to directly influence how technology and systems are used.

This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced Group IT Manager looking to take genuine ownership of technology within a successful automotive retail business. If you enjoy solving problems, managing technology across multiple sites and building strong relationships with both technical and non-technical teams, we'd love to hear from you.

To apply for this role please send your CV in confidence to us here at Aka Recruitment, job reference Aka3862