At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and manage IT systems to empower staff and students with innovative technology.
- Company: Join Astrea Academy Trust, a family of academies dedicated to exceptional education.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, pension scheme, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Flexible interview dates and commitment to diversity and inclusion.
- Why this job: Make a meaningful impact on educational excellence through technology leadership.
- Qualifications: Experience in managing IT systems, strong leadership, and cyber security knowledge.
Astrea Academy Trust is looking for an outstanding IT Systems Manager to lead our IT Systems Team and play a key role in shaping and maintaining the Trust's technology infrastructure. This is an exciting opportunity to combine strategic thinking with technical expertise, ensuring our schools and central teams benefit from high-performing, secure, and resilient IT systems.
As IT Systems Manager, you will lead the design, development, and management of the Trust's core IT systems and infrastructure. Working closely with the Director of IT, you will provide technical leadership, oversee cyber security controls, and ensure consistent standards are maintained across all academies and central services. You will manage a skilled team of IT professionals while driving projects, improving services, and ensuring the Trust's systems remain secure, reliable, and fit for the future.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead, manage, and develop the IT Systems Team, fostering a culture of accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
- Oversee the design, implementation, and ongoing management of IT infrastructure and systems across the Trust.
- Establish and maintain consistent technical standards, configurations, and best practices.
- Deliver IT projects and system improvements in line with organisational priorities and agreed timescales.
- Ensure systems remain available, resilient, secure, and perform effectively across all locations.
- Lead the operational delivery of cyber security controls, including vulnerability management, patching, monitoring, and incident response.
- Oversee network security, endpoint protection, identity management, and cloud-based services.
- Manage backup, disaster recovery, and business continuity arrangements.
- Support compliance with data protection legislation, Digital Standards, and cyber security frameworks.
- Work closely with schools, central teams, and the wider IT function to provide an excellent technology service.
- Provide technical advice, guidance, and assurance to senior stakeholders and the Director of IT.
- Ensure effective use of service management processes and tools to maintain high standards of service delivery.
What We're Looking For
- Significant experience managing enterprise IT systems and infrastructure.
- Experience leading, motivating, and developing technical teams.
- Strong knowledge of cyber security principles, controls, and best practice.
- Experience managing Microsoft technologies, cloud platforms, networking, and infrastructure services.
- A track record of delivering technology projects and service improvements.
- Experience of system monitoring, backup, disaster recovery, and business continuity planning.
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to make informed decisions.
- Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills.
- Knowledge of data protection, compliance, and information security requirements.
- Microsoft, CompTIA, or equivalent technical qualifications, or substantial relevant experience.
Why Join Astrea Academy Trust?
- Competitive salary of £47,159 - £53,000.
- Local Government Pension Scheme.
- A supportive and collaborative working environment.
- Opportunities for professional development and career progression.
- The chance to make a meaningful impact across a growing multi-academy trust.
- A role where your expertise directly supports educational excellence.
Astrea Academy Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. All appointments are subject to satisfactory background checks, including references and an enhanced DBS check. We value diversity and welcome applications from underrepresented groups. As a Disability Confident employer, we provide reasonable adjustments throughout the recruitment process to ensure all candidates can fully demonstrate their abilities.
Flexible Interview Dates: We reserve the right to close this vacancy early, so don't miss out on this exciting opportunity. Please note that interview dates are flexible, and the academy reserves the right to interview shortlisted candidates during the application window.
IT Systems Manager in Sheffield employer: Astrea Academy Trust
High Down Schools is an exceptional employer, offering a supportive and inclusive work environment where every team member is valued. As part of the Lighthouse Schools Partnership, employees benefit from ongoing professional development opportunities and the chance to make a meaningful impact on the lives of children and families in a thriving multi-academy trust. Located in a beautiful setting, our school fosters a positive culture that encourages collaboration and personal growth, making it an ideal place for dedicated professionals seeking rewarding employment.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land IT Systems Manager in Sheffield
✨Join the IT Consultancy Buzz
Get involved in local or virtual IT consultancy meetups and forums. This is where we can rub shoulders with industry professionals, get insights into what Astrea Academy Trust values, and even spot unadvertised opportunities. Don't miss out on these chances to make a name for ourselves in the IT world!
✨Show Off Your Skills
Create a personal project or case study relevant to the challenges Astrea Academy Trust might face. Use platforms like GitHub or Medium to share your findings. This not only demonstrates our consulting skills but shows a proactive attitude, making us stand out from the crowd when applying for that full-time gig.
✨Leverage LinkedIn for Connections
Follow and engage with the relevant thought leaders and influencers in IT consultancy on LinkedIn. Share insightful content and join discussions to gain visibility. A well-placed comment or shared article could catch the attention of someone at Astrea Academy Trust!
✨Direct Apply to Astrea Academy Trust
Let's not forget to apply directly through the Astrea Academy Trust website! Tailor your application to showcase our understanding of their consulting style and how we can contribute to their projects. A personalised approach can make a huge difference in landing that full-time position!
We think you need these skills to ace IT Systems Manager in Sheffield
Some tips for your application 🫡
Showcase Your Problem-Solving Skills:In IT consulting, it's all about problem-solving, so make sure your CV highlights your analytical skills and any relevant projects you've tackled. Mention specific technologies or methodologies you've used to resolve issues or improve processes; this shows you can think critically and deliver results, which is vital for us at Astrea Academy Trust.
Highlight Relevant Certifications:Certifications like ITIL, PMP, or even specific tech stack qualifications can really make you stand out. Make sure to include these in your CV, as they not only demonstrate your expertise but also your commitment to staying current in the field. We love seeing candidates who are proactive about their professional development!
Tailor Your Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to connect personally with us at Astrea Academy Trust. Share stories about your experiences in IT consulting, and how they shaped your desire to join our team. Mention why you’re excited about this particular role, and how you see yourself contributing to our projects.
Keep It Clear and Concise:We're all busy, so make sure your application is easy to read. Use bullet points for key achievements, and don’t overload us with jargon. A clean, professional layout goes a long way. Remember, the clearer your application, the more likely we are to invite you in for an interview!
How to prepare for a job interview at Astrea Academy Trust
✨Brush Up on Your Technical Skills
For an IT consulting role, be ready to demonstrate your technical prowess. You might face questions on systems integration, cloud technologies, or even troubleshooting specific software. If you have experience with tools like AWS, Azure, or even specific programming languages, make sure you can talk about them fluently.
✨Showcase Your Problem-Solving Approach
IT consulting is all about solving problems for clients. Think about how you can illustrate your approach to a past challenge using the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result). It's a great way to show how you tackle complex issues and come up with effective solutions.
✨Know the Business Impact of IT Solutions
When discussing your experiences, focus not just on the tech solutions you implemented, but also on their business impact. Employers want to see that you can connect IT with organisational goals. Prep examples that highlight how your tech contributions improved efficiency or reduced costs for past clients or projects.
✨Prepare for Behavioural Questions
Since IT consulting often involves teamwork and client interactions, expect behavioural questions that assess your interpersonal skills. Be prepared with examples that demonstrate your adaptability, communication skills, and how you handle client feedback. Before the interview, think of situations where you worked closely with clients to create effective IT strategies or changes.
