As the IT and Data Protection Manager at Athena Care Homes, you will be the initial in-house line of contact for IT support enquiries, working to resolve or escalate their technical issues in a prompt and professional manner.
About Athena Care Homes:
Athena Care Homes is an award winning, family-owned business operating seven residential nursing homes in East Anglia where care and compassion runs through to our very core.
At Athena we celebrate everyone as an individual. Whether that's delivering authentic care, supporting our team to make moments for our residents and their loved ones, or whether that's learning and growing together.
About the role:
The IT and Data Protection Manager will provide high-quality IT support across our homes and central support teams. Acting as the first point of contact for IT enquiries, you will play a key role in ensuring colleagues have reliable access to the systems, devices, and technology they need to deliver exceptional care and operational excellence.
This varied and hands-on role combines technical support, systems administration, supplier management, digital transformation, cyber security coordination, and data protection responsibilities. As Athena's Data Protection lead, you will also support the organisation in maintaining compliance with data protection legislation, cyber security standards, and industry certifications.
Salary:
£40,000 to £45,000 per annum.
Shift Pattern:
37.5 hours per week, Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm.
Base Location:
Central Office, Russel House, Basildon, Essex, SS15 6TF - plus travel to all care homes in accordance with your role.
Key Duties & Responsibilities:
Deliver responsive on-site, remote, and telephone IT support, training, and guidance for colleagues across Athena Care Homes, acting as the first point of contact for IT queries and technical issues.
Manage the full lifecycle of IT equipment, systems, and user accounts, including onboarding and offboarding, device management through Miradore MDM and Microsoft Intune, licensing, inventory control, and secure equipment disposal.
Oversee and support Athena's digital infrastructure and systems, including cloud services, SharePoint, communication systems, VOIP, CCTV, call bell systems, and ongoing digital transformation projects.
Lead IT compliance, cyber security, and data protection activities, including policy management, breach reporting, DPIAs, RoPA maintenance, Cyber Essentials, NHS DSPT, PCI DSS, and liaison with external IT providers and cyber insurers.
Maintain awareness of emerging AI technologies and digital innovations, advising the business on opportunities, risks, and practical implementation solutions to support operational efficiency, compliance, and organisational objectives.
Training, Skills & Experience Required:
Previous experience in a similar IT support or IT management role, ideally within a multi-site environment.
Strong knowledge of Microsoft Office applications, Windows operating systems, cloud services, and device management platforms.
Experience managing IT suppliers, projects, systems, or cyber security and compliance activities.
Excellent communication, organisation, and problem-solving skills, with the ability to build positive relationships across all levels.
Full UK driving licence with flexibility to travel between locations and support occasional out-of-hours requirements.
What we can offer:
Fully comprehensive induction.
Competitive salary.
33 days of holiday per year.
Free Blue Light Card & access to the Blue Light discount platform.
Refer a friend scheme.
About Athena:
Athena Care Homes are a family run business with seven homes across East Anglia. We have care homes in Peterborough, Cambridgeshire, Kings Lynn (West Norfolk) & Ipswich (Suffolk).
We want to be the first choice for high quality residential, nursing and dementia care, leaving a positive legacy within our communities.
Our care homes are managed by amazing and passionate people, including strong leadership by our home managers with dedicated care, clinical, hospitality and activities teams to provide exceptional care and experience, achieving brilliant outcomes for people in our care.
We hold our values close to our hearts and ensure that team members throughout each of our residential and nursing homes understand them and what importance they hold. We approach everything we do with thought, and we deliver with passion.
