IT Manager NEW

Planit is a place-based design practice of Landscape Architects, Urban Designers and Visual Storytellers working across five studios in the UK. We’re looking for our first dedicated in-house IT Manager to oversee all our Information Technology requirements.

This is an exciting opportunity to make a real difference, as you’ll be ultimately responsible for the smooth running and development of all our systems, working in conjunction with our third-party support partner.

Key responsibilities:

• • Managing and working alongside our IT support partner to address IT-related matters, and extend fixes efficiently across the practice; realising a shift from problem-solving to solution-finding
  • Collaborating with external providers to continually enhance and monitor cyber security, including implementation and adherence to Cyber Essentials
  • Scoping and delivering future projects to develop our in-house IT systems, policies and processes
  • Advising the business on IT strategy and appropriate technical infrastructure
  • Interfacing with our internal Technical Working Group to define and implement practice-wide IT protocols, develop efficiencies, and improve technical standards
  • Maintaining inventory of all team members’ IT equipment, maintain their efficiency, implement a rolling programme of renewals, plus decommissioning and appropriate disposal.
  • Purchasing, setting up and management of all devices, such as laptops, tablets and mobile phones
  • Purchasing and allocating software licences including Vectorworks, Adobe, Affinity, Microsoft 365 and Autodesk

Solid knowledge and experience of managing Apple Macs is absolutely essential, alongside a good understanding of Windows Server technologies, backup strategies, Office 365 Admin, and best practice security principles. Any prior experience in Apple device management software would be distinctly advantageous. You will need to be proactive, self-driven, and able to work under pressure and to meet deadlines.

As an effective communicator and collaborator, you will interact with team members, and provide regular updates to the IT Lead, Richard Line, and the Operations Board. We’d expect you to recommend and implement improvements to our systems and workflows to enable the business to run more efficiently and increase our team’s productivity. Assessment of new technology and its potential application will be required to inform robust Business Cases associated with investment, development and training.

Experience working within a similar role in a creative design studio or the built environment sector would be an advantage but not essential; likewise, an understanding of industry-specific IT protocols (BIM/FTPs/BS or ISO standards relating to IT management).

This full-time role (37.5 hours per week Monday to Friday) is based in our Greater Manchester headquarters in Altrincham. The role will involve regular travel (expenses paid) to our four studios across the UK to provide IT support and advice on site as needed. A full UK Driving Licence will be required.

Planit is an Employee-Owned business, with each co-owner taking personal responsibility within their areas of expertise for the benefit of the team, and success of the practice as a whole. As an accredited B Corp, we prioritise people, planet, and profit equally, and welcome candidates who share these values. Balancing environmental and social considerations within purchasing decisions, identification of digital solutions and disposals will be a pertinent facet of this role.

We support our team by providing benefits that include a minimum of 25 days holiday plus bank holidays, flexible start and finish times (core working hours are 10.00am to 4.30pm), company pension, enhanced maternity and paternity pay, support with professional fees, learning and development, and an annual study allowance.

Discover more about our studios and the work we do here.

To apply for this role, please answer the application questions, and upload a copy of your CV.

Salary: £35,000 – £45,000 according to level of experience

Candidates must be eligible to live and work in the UK. If you require sponsorship, please check your eligibility against the relevant criteria on the UK Government website before submitting your application.

No agencies please.

Closing date: Monday 25 May 23:59