IT Operations Lead

• Job Title : IT Operations Lead/ Onsite Cutover Lead
• Duration: 6 months
• Schedule: Mondays-Fridays (Fulltime on-site)
• Site address:UK (Colworth near North Hampton)
• Language: Must be fluent in English
• DOJ: Immediate
• Type of Contract: Freelance

The On-Site Cutover Lead will serve as the operational and delivery backbone ensuring successful execution of R&D technology deployments and transitions on site. The role is primarily accountable for providing hands-on, technically competent local support across environments, covering activities such as integrations, OT implementation, troubleshooting, hardware and network readiness, and hypercare, acting as the critical bridge between central programme teams, partners and on‑site execution.

This is a role requiring a strong balance of hands‑on delivery, on-site understanding, vendor leadership, and trusted business partnership.

Key Accountabilities:

On‑site Network Admin – Key Responsibilities

• Maintain site infrastructure: Ensure server rooms, comms cabinets, power, cooling, and physical security are fully operational and compliant
• Support the management of network equipment in partnership with HCL: Install, monitor, and troubleshoot switches, routers, firewalls, and access points
• Oversee cabling: Maintain structured cabling (copper/fibre), patching, and clear labelling to standards
• Perform site maintenance: Keep racks and cabinets organised, resolve cabling and hardware issues, and ensure safe working conditions
• Support operations: Troubleshoot incidents, assist with deployments, and support remote engineering teams
• Control assets: Track inventory, deliveries, installations, and equipment lifecycle on-site
• Document & report: Maintain accurate records, diagrams and document key decisions for the site
• Ensure compliance: Follow network standards, safety policies, and approved designs

EUC

• Coordinate cutover activities to ensure all users receive their devices with the correct applications installed
• Manage any issues through to resolution in partnership with HCL and Global IT teams

Local OT/IT Systems Support

• Act as the primary on-site point of contact and owner for all OT and lab/factory systems.
• Provide first-line troubleshooting and support for OT and integrated IT/OT systems, escalating to central teams or specialist vendors where required, and managing those escalations through to resolution
• Support integration activities between IT and OT systems — ensuring connectivity is stable, secure, and well-documented

Local Vendor & Supplier Management

• Serve as the primary on-site interface for all local third-party suppliers of OT equipment, industrial software, instrumentation, and specialist engineering services
• Coordinate vendor access to site for installation, commissioning, maintenance, and support activities, ensuring compliance with site safety, cybersecurity, and access control requirements

Change & Project Support

• Support the delivery of technology change projects within the pilot plant environment — including new equipment commissioning, system upgrades, and integration work — acting as the on-site technical authority for OT aspects
• Participate in cutover planning and execution, ensuring operational risk to the pilot plant is understood, communicated, and mitigated

Operational Continuity

• Monitor the health and availability of critical OT and lab systems, proactively identifying and resolving issues before they impact R&D operations or pilot plant runs
• Maintain and test business continuity and recovery procedures for key OT systems, ensuring the site can recover from failures within agreed timescales
• Support the handover of new systems into steady-state operations, including producing runbooks, training local users, and ensuring vendor support arrangements are in place