IT Manager

Join ONI and Explore the Boundaries of Scientific Discovery!

At ONI, we develop advanced imaging technologies that help scientists see and understand life at the molecular level. Our Nanoimager and Aplo Scope support discoveries in biological research and healthcare.

We are seeking a practical, hands-on IT Manager to keep our workplace technology reliable, secure and easy to use. Based in our Oxford office, you will support colleagues locally and work closely with colleagues in the USA and other locations, including our US IT colleagues and external service providers.

This is a hands-on management role focused on delivery, technical judgement and continuous improvement. You will take responsibility for IT operations in the UK, contribute to IT services across our international business, set priorities within your remit, maintain effective standards and tackle difficult problems yourself as required. We are looking for someone curious, resourceful and comfortable working across a broad range of technologies, who challenges unnecessary complexity, gets to the root of problems and makes thoughtful, maintainable improvements.

Location and reporting: This role is based at our Oxford office and reports to the CFO. Some flexibility to work with colleagues across US time zones, including occasional later meetings, is expected. Responsibilities may evolve with business needs.

Your role at ONI:

• Be a trusted, approachable point of contact for employees, resolving hands-on IT issues in Oxford and helping colleagues internationally as needed; coordinate support requests, escalations and practical service standards.

• Oversee the day-to-day performance of IT services within your remit: agree priorities, monitor recurring issues and service quality, and work constructively with internal colleagues, outsourced support and specialist vendors to deliver improvements.

• Administer and improve a mixed Mac and Windows environment, including macOS, Windows and iOS devices, Apple Business Manager (ABM), Mosyle, Microsoft Intune and associated provisioning, patching and device lifecycle processes.

• Support Microsoft 365 and Microsoft Entra ID, including identity, SSO, MFA, permissions, licensing and secure access throughout the employee joiner, mover and leaver lifecycle.

• Maintain office infrastructure and technology, including Wi-Fi, connectivity, meeting rooms, video conferencing and electronic access systems; work with HR and Logistics on equipment procurement, issue, return, reuse and secure disposal.

• Apply practical security controls, including endpoint protection, access reviews, secure configuration and remediation of risks, with appropriate attention to data protection requirements.

• Coordinate backup and recovery arrangements for critical IT services, keep recovery documentation current and arrange periodic restoration tests with relevant system owners and providers.

• Continuously reduce complexity across IT and related business workflows: standardise sensible configurations, consolidate unnecessary tools, eliminate repetitive administration, automate repeatable tasks and fix root causes rather than repeatedly treating symptoms. Look for practical ways to help colleagues work more effectively using the technology we already have.

• Plan and deliver IT projects, changes and service improvements with clear ownership, proportionate testing and usable documentation. Review the balance of internal and externally provided services and develop internal capability where appropriate.

• Provide technical support for internal business applications and SaaS platforms in partnership with departmental owners, contributing to access, integrations, workflow improvements and automation without assuming ownership of business processes.

• Depending on your interests, experience and business priorities, there will also be opportunities to contribute to software deployment, developer tooling, cloud environments, automation and DevOps-related improvements, working alongside our technical teams.

Essential experience and skills:

• Substantial hands-on experience across IT operations, end-user support, systems administration or infrastructure in a small or growing business; comfortable both setting priorities and resolving technical issues personally.

• Confident supporting mixed Windows and macOS environments, device deployment and lifecycle management, and identity and access services such as Microsoft 365 and Entra ID.

• Practical familiarity with endpoint management and security, including MDM concepts; able to learn unfamiliar tools quickly rather than relying on one vendor stack.

• Sound troubleshooting across endpoint devices, applications, networking (including DNS, DHCP and Wi-Fi), authentication and office connectivity.

• Ability to assess risk, manage competing demands, work effectively with service providers and see complex problems through to a reliable resolution.

• Clear, approachable communication, discretion with sensitive information and an instinct for simplifying systems and reducing operational friction.

• Willingness and ability to work in person at our Oxford office as an essential part of the role.

• Flexibility to liaise with US colleagues as required.

Additional desirable experience includes:

• Apple Business Manager and Mosyle; Microsoft Intune; or equivalent Apple and Windows device-management platforms.

• Experience working with managed service providers, service desks, vendor performance measures and evolving IT service delivery models.

• Backup, restoration testing, business continuity, practical security programmes or Cyber Essentials.

• Scripting and automation using PowerShell, Python, shell tools or low-code workflows.

• Technical administration of CRM, ERP, PLM or HR applications; APIs and application integrations.

• Software packaging and deployment, cloud platforms, source control, CI/CD or DevOps tooling; experience in life sciences or another technology-led environment.