Elevation Recruitment Group
Head of Infrastructure & Cyber Security
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Elevation Recruitment Group are partnering exclusively with PA Media Group to recruit a Head of Infrastructure & Cyber Security.
PA Media Group is one of the UK’s most trusted content, data and technology businesses, with a heritage spanning more than 160 years. Today, the Group operates a portfolio of leading brands across news, imagery, sports data, streaming and marketing services, delivering business-critical digital products and services to customers in the UK and internationally.
Technology plays a central role in the Group’s continued success. PA Media Group is now entering the next phase of its technology evolution, investing in modern infrastructure, cyber security, cloud technologies, AI and engineering capability to ensure the organisation is well positioned for future growth.
This appointment represents an opportunity to join the Technology Leadership Team at a pivotal point in that journey.
About the role
The current Head of Infrastructure & Cyber Security is leaving the business after many successful years to pursue a long-held personal ambition of opening his own business. Having built a highly respected and stable function, he will remain with the organisation until the end of the year to support a smooth handover.
As PA Media Group continues to invest in its technology strategy, this role presents an exciting opportunity to build on those strong foundations. Alongside leading an experienced Infrastructure, Service Delivery and Cyber function, the successful candidate will play a key role in driving the next phase of the organisation’s technology evolution, with responsibility for infrastructure strategy, cyber security, cloud transformation, operational resilience and technology operations across the Group.
Working closely with the CTO and wider Technology Leadership Team, you’ll help shape the future direction of the technology function while supporting the organisation’s continued growth and transformation.
Key Responsibilities
Reporting to the CTO and working alongside the wider Technology Leadership Team, you will lead Infrastructure, Service Delivery and Cyber Security across the Group. You’ll inherit an experienced leadership team and approximately 40 technical specialists.
Infrastructure & Technology Operations
- Own and deliver the Group Infrastructure roadmap across cloud, on-premise infrastructure, networking, workplace technology and Service Delivery.
- Lead infrastructure modernisation, including cloud adoption, data centre consolidation and removal of end-of-life technology.
- Drive operational excellence across highly available, business-critical digital services.
- Optimise infrastructure performance, resilience and reliability.
- Support technology due diligence and infrastructure integration as the Group continues to grow through acquisition.
Cyber Security & Risk
- Lead the Group’s cyber security strategy and improvement programmes.
- Drive progress towards ISO27001 certification and wider cyber governance initiatives.
- Champion security-by-design principles across technology operations.
- Build a cyber-aware culture through education, engagement and collaboration.
- Ensure effective governance, reporting and risk management at executive level.
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Transformation, Automation & AI
- Whilst maintaining the high levels of reliability the business is known for, you’ll lead the next phase of infrastructure modernisation, helping the organisation embrace cloud technologies, AI-enabled operations and automation.
- Champion automation and AI across Infrastructure and Service Delivery.
- Introduce modern operational tooling, observability and predictive monitoring.
- Reduce manual effort and improve operational efficiency through intelligent automation.
- Embed FinOps principles to optimise infrastructure and cloud expenditure.
- Challenge traditional ways of working, creating a faster, more proactive and efficient infrastructure function.
Leadership & Stakeholder Engagement
- This role is as much about leadership as it is technical capability.
- Lead a multidisciplinary management team across Infrastructure, Networks, Cyber Security and Service Delivery, creating an environment where experienced technical specialists continue to develop whilst embracing new technologies and ways of working.
- As a member of the Technology Leadership Team, contribute to strategic technology decisions and play an active role across the Security Committee, Risk Committee, Architecture Board and Technology Investment Committee.
About you
This role will suit an experienced technology leader who combines strong infrastructure and operational expertise with the ability to lead people through change.
You’ll most likely already be operating in a senior Infrastructure, Technology Operations or Technology Services leadership role within a complex environment, where you’ve balanced operational excellence with strategic transformation.
Technical Experience
- Leading enterprise Infrastructure, Technology Operations or Cyber Security functions.
- Cloud platforms (AWS preferred), hybrid infrastructure and modern workplace technologies.
- Infrastructure strategy, architecture and operational resilience.
- Networking, identity and access management, Active Directory and Microsoft 365.
- Cyber security governance, risk management and remediation programmes.
- ISO27001, Cyber Essentials or similar security and compliance frameworks.
- Infrastructure transformation, cloud migration and data centre consolidation.
- Service Delivery, IT Operations and operational support functions.
- Automation, observability and adoption of AI within infrastructure or technology operations.
- Infrastructure cost optimisation, vendor management and FinOps principles.
- Supporting mergers, acquisitions or large-scale technology integration programmes.
- Executive stakeholder engagement, including Boards, Executive Committees and senior business leaders.
Leadership Style
- Technical expertise alone won’t make someone successful in this role. You’ll also be someone who:
- Builds trust quickly and leads with authenticity.
- Brings experienced technical teams with you through change.
- Balances innovation with operational stability and risk.
- Empowers experienced technical specialists to make decisions.
- Is naturally curious and embraces emerging technologies, particularly AI and automation.
- Challenges traditional ways of working constructively and collaboratively.
- Is commercially minded, pragmatic and outcome-focused.
- Enjoys solving complex business problems through technology.
- Wants to build something for the long term rather than simply maintain the status quo.
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What you can expect
This is an opportunity to take on a highly influential technology leadership role at a pivotal point in our journey. We’re investing significantly in modernisation, cloud, cyber security and AI – and you’ll have the autonomy and executive backing to help shape what comes next.
- Lead at scale: Take responsibility for Infrastructure, Service Delivery and Cyber Security, supported by an experienced leadership team and around 40 technical specialists.
- Operate at senior level: Join the Technology Leadership Team, working directly with the CTO and fellow leaders across Technology, AI & Platform Enablement and Transformation.
- Shape our technology future: Lead infrastructure modernisation, cloud adoption, automation and AI-enabled operations.
- Have a voice where it matters: Contribute to the Security Committee, Risk Committee, Architecture Board and Technology Investment Committee.
- Build your career with us: Genuine scope to broaden your remit and progress from Head of to Director level as the function evolves.
- Join a people-first culture: Work in a collaborative environment where you’ll have the freedom to lead, influence and make a visible impact.
Benefits include:
- Competitive salary + annual bonus
- Car allowance
- Private medical insurance
- Hybrid working, typically 2 days remote, based at West Village on Wellington Street in Leeds city centre.
- 8-minute walk from Leeds train station, with easy access to the inner ring road and an on-site multi-storey car park. The campus also offers a wellness studio, outdoor and communal spaces, cycle storage, showers and changing facilities, alongside coworking and meeting spaces.
PLEASE NOTE
Elevation Recruitment Group is the exclusive recruitment partner to PA Media Group for this appointment and is managing the external selection process.
All external applications and expressions of interest will be managed by Elevation. Candidates who approach PA Media Group directly regarding this opportunity will be referred to Elevation to ensure a consistent and fair assessment process.
PA Media Group will not accept direct candidate submissions from other recruitment agencies. All third-party or agency enquiries should be directed to Elevation Recruitment Group.
Please apply through this advert or contact Helenna Bell at Elevation Recruitment Group directly for a confidential conversation.
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