Senior IT Infrastructure Manager

Role profile

Osborne Clarke is a future-focused international legal practice, and our Business Services teams play a vital role in enabling our lawyers to deliver exceptional client service. As we continue to evolve our technology landscape, we are strengthening our IT function to ensure our platforms are secure, resilient and aligned to the needs of a growing, dynamic firm.

We are now looking for a Senior IT Infrastructure Manager to lead our engineering and operations function, based in our Bristol office on a permanent, full-time basis, with a hybrid working pattern.

The role

As the Senior IT Infrastructure Manager, you will lead the day-to-day operations of our IT systems and infrastructure, ensuring that platforms are reliable, secure and fit for purpose. You will manage a team of IT professionals, providing clear direction, coaching and support to deliver robust and scalable solutions that meet business requirements.

Sitting within the Information Technology Services Leadership Team and reporting to the Head of Architecture & Infrastructure, you will work closely with colleagues across Applications, Cyber, Information Security & Operations, Service Delivery and other Business Services leads. You will play a key role in shaping how we deploy, manage and optimise our technology platforms, ensuring our IT operations are tightly aligned with the firm's strategic objectives.

Engineering & Operations Leadership

• Lead and manage the Engineering & Operations team, fostering a collaborative, inclusive and high-performing culture.
• Provide clear strategic direction for IT operations and engineering, aligning team priorities with firm-wide goals.
• Oversee the day-to-day operation of IT systems and infrastructure, ensuring stability, performance and availability.
• Plan, coordinate and oversee the deployment, maintenance and lifecycle management of IT systems and platforms.
• Ensure technology solutions are scalable, secure, resilient and recoverable to support business continuity.
• Support the professional development of team members, setting clear expectations and providing regular feedback.

Delivery & Continuous Improvement

• Develop and implement effective operational processes and procedures to drive consistency and efficiency.
• Monitor performance against agreed KPIs and service levels, using data and reporting to inform decision-making.
• Identify opportunities to optimise existing platforms and services in line with business needs.
• Leverage process automation and workflow tools where appropriate to streamline operations and reduce manual effort.
• Lead and support multiple operational initiatives simultaneously, ensuring they are delivered on time and to quality.
• Champion continuous improvement across engineering and operations, adopting industry best practice where relevant.

Stakeholder Management & Collaboration

• Work closely with business leaders and key stakeholders to understand requirements and ensure systems meet their needs.
• Partner with managers across Applications, Cyber, Information Security & Operations, Service Delivery and other Business Services functions to deliver joined-up solutions.
• Manage relationships with third-party vendors and service providers to ensure high-quality delivery and support.
• Act as a trusted point of contact for Partners, office heads and other senior stakeholders on engineering and operations matters.
• Communicate clearly and regularly on progress, risks and opportunities, tailoring messaging to different audiences.

Risk, Compliance & Governance

• Establish and maintain IT governance processes, policies and standards to support effective decision-making.
• Ensure IT operations comply with relevant regulations, internal policies and recognised industry best practice.
• Proactively manage operational risks, including security, resilience and availability, escalating where appropriate.
• Work closely with Information Security and Cyber teams to embed secure practices across engineering and operations.
• Develop and manage the IT engineering and operations budget, ensuring cost-effective use of resources and investments.
• Produce regular performance and status reports for senior management, highlighting key metrics, issues and trends.

We are looking for:

• Significant experience in IT operations management, including responsibility for systems, infrastructure and platform uptime.
• Proven track record in planning, deploying and maintaining IT systems and platforms in line with business requirements.
• Strong understanding of emerging technologies, industry trends and best practice in IT operations and engineering.
• Demonstrated experience of leading and managing diverse IT teams in a collaborative, supportive way.
• Ability to develop and communicate a clear vision for IT engineering and operations that aligns with organisational goals.
• Strong conflict resolution and people management skills, with the ability to handle issues promptly and fairly.
• Experience of designing, implementing and improving operational processes and procedures.
• Familiarity with process automation and workflow tools to drive efficiency and reduce manual activity.
• Confident user of analytics and reporting tools, with the ability to interpret data and support evidence-based decisions.
• Good business acumen, with the ability to align IT operations to broader firm strategy and priorities.
• Strong communication and stakeholder management skills, with experience engaging senior leaders and external partners.
• Proven experience in vendor management, including contract and relationship management.
• Knowledge of IT governance frameworks and their application within a complex organisation.
• Logical and critical thinker, with strong problem-solving skills and the ability to manage multiple initiatives concurrently.

Salary and benefits

We offer competitive salaries and generous benefits. We value the health and wellbeing of our people and our wide range of initiatives and benefits support this.

Our recruitment process

Please note that although we include closing dates for our roles as a guide, we review and progress applications on a rolling basis. At Osborne Clarke we do not make any recruitment decisions using automated decision-making.

We are committed to providing an environment where you can perform to the best of your abilities at every stage of your recruitment experience and beyond. If you require any adjustments to be made during the application stage, interview process, or when working with us, please let us know in confidence.

About Us

Osborne Clarke is an international legal practice with over 330 Partners and more than 1,260 talented lawyers in 26 locations*. Our sector-based approach enables us to help our clients tackle the issues they are facing today, and prepare for the ones that they will face tomorrow. Advising them both comprehensively and commercially. We love working closely with our clients on new deals, products and solutions which will transform their businesses, markets and even sectors. And our unique approachable culture is not an added extra, it's fundamental to our success.

At Osborne Clarke we value difference and encourage applicants from all backgrounds. We want everyone to feel that OC is a place where you can be yourself and belong, and our range of interest groups and diversity networks - not to mention our great teams - are a part of making that a reality.

*Services in India are provided by a relationship firm