Head - IT Infrastructure & Security

Head IT Infra & Security

You will lead enterprise-wide technology operations, cybersecurity, cloud workloads, IT support, and infrastructure governance across all business locations. This role is responsible for defining the organization's infrastructure and security strategy, ensuring compliance, driving digital transformation, and maintaining high availability systems across regional locations and corporate offices. The ideal candidate is a seasoned leader with deep expertise in infrastructure, cloud, cybersecurity, SOC operations, audits, and enterprise IT governance.

Key Responsibilities :

Infrastructure Strategy & Governance :

- Define and execute the organisation's IT infrastructure roadmap aligned with business goals.

- Establish IT governance frameworks, policies, SOPs, and compliance standards.

- Drive infrastructure modernization, standardisation, and scalability across HO, stores, and cloud environments.

- Manage budgeting, procurement, vendor governance, and cost optimisation without compromising security or performance.

- Oversee enterprise architecture decisions for hybrid cloud, on Prem, and distributed environments.

Cybersecurity Leadership :

- Lead enterprise cybersecurity operations including SOC, SIEM, XDR, endpoint security, and threat monitoring.

- Oversee continuous security monitoring, alert triage, incident response, and escalation management.

- Conduct and manage VAPT cycles, including Black Box, Gray Box, and authenticated assessments.

- Plan and execute Red Teaming exercises to evaluate organisational resilience.

- Implement and govern DLP, MFA, identity security, endpoint protection, and network security controls.

- Ensure compliance with regulatory, audit, and data security requirements.

- Oversee brand monitoring, digital footprint analysis, and external threat intelligence.

Cloud Infrastructure & Workload Management :

- Manage AWS workloads including AD servers, application servers, storage, backups, and monitoring.

- Coordinate with cloud partners for troubleshooting, performance tuning, and workload scaling.

- Manage cloud resources and optimise cloud costs.

- Ensure cloud workloads adhere to security, compliance, and DR policies.

- Oversee hybrid cloud architecture combining on-premises systems and cloud services.

Network & Security Architecture :

- Oversee enterprise network architecture including firewalls, VPNs, SDWAN, segmentation, and secure connectivity.

- Ensure secure and optimised connectivity across stores, warehouses, and HO.

- Implement network monitoring, anomaly detection, and continuous security validation.

- Govern policies for internet security, email security, and perimeter defence.

IT Support Desk Leadership :

- Lead the IT support desk, ensuring SLAdriven service delivery across all locations.

- Establish escalation matrices, incident workflows, and service quality benchmarks.

- Oversee L1/L2/L3 support operations for infrastructure, cloud, security, and end-user computing.

- Drive continuous improvement through RCA, problem management, and user experience enhancements.

- Ensure timely support for store openings, relocations, and critical retail operations.

Enterprise Applications & Platform Readiness :

- Ensure infrastructure readiness for ERP, POS, WMS, OMS, CRM, and other enterprise applications.

- Coordinate with application teams and partners for upgrades, migrations, and performance optimisation.

- Maintain secure and reliable connectivity between applications, cloud workloads, and user environments.

Business Continuity & Disaster Recovery :

- Own enterprise-wide BCP/DR strategy including DR drills, RTO/RPO definitions, and crisis management.

- Ensure resilience across cloud, on Prem, and hybrid environments.

- Lead major incident management including communication to leadership and post incident reviews.

Compliance, Risk & Audit Management :

- Lead internal and external audits including VAPT, compliance audits, and security posture assessments.

- Maintain risk registers, mitigation plans, and governance dashboards.

- Ensure adherence to ISO 27001, SOC2, PCIDSS, GDPR, or other relevant frameworks.

- Oversee documentation, evidence management, and audit readiness.

Team Leadership & Stakeholder Management :

- Lead infrastructure, cloud, security, and IT support teams with strong mentoring and capability development.

- Collaborate with business leaders, and cross functional managers to align technology with business strategy.

- Present quarterly technology performance, risks, and roadmap updates to leadership.

- Build a high-performance culture with clear KPIs, accountability, and continuous learning.

Qualification And Experience :

- Bachelor's degree in information technology, Computer Science, Cybersecurity, or a related field with 12 - 15+ years in progressive IT infrastructure, DevOps, and enterprise security, with several years in senior leadership.

- Deep knowledge of cloud platforms (AWS, Azure), network diagnostics, Linux internals, zero-downtime CI/CD pipelines, and Infrastructure as Code (Terraform, Ansible).

- Often preferred or required to hold industry credentials such as CISSP, CISM, CRISC, AWS/Azure Solutions Architect, or ISO 27001 Lead Auditor.

- Experience working in a managed services, multi-client, or global IT environment is highly desirable.

- The individual should demonstrate strong ownership, technical depth, leadership capability, and a proactive approach to improving infrastructure resilience and organizational security.

- Excellent verbal and written communication skills.

- Ability to explain complex technical and security issues to both technical and non-technical stakeholders.

- Ability to work effectively under pressure and manage critical incidents.

Technical Expertise :

- Enterprise IT Infrastructure Management

- Cybersecurity, SOC/SIEM, XDR, VAPT, Red Teaming

- AWS Workload Management

- Network Security & Architecture

- ITIL based Service Delivery

- Endpoint Management & Security

- Disaster Recovery & Business Continuity

- SAP/ERP Infrastructure Readiness

Leadership & Management :

- IT Strategy & Governance

- Vendor & Budget Management

- Cross functional Collaboration

- Team Leadership & Mentoring

- Incident & Change Management

- Audit & Compliance Ownership