At a Glance
- Tasks: Provide first and second-line IT support to students and staff at our college.
- Company: Join the friendly team at Cardinal Newman College, a thriving Catholic Sixth Form College.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, generous holidays, gym access, and professional development opportunities.
- Other info: Flexible working hours and a supportive environment await you!
- Why this job: Make a real difference by solving tech issues and supporting your community.
- Qualifications: Experience in IT support and a passion for helping others is essential.
The predicted salary is between 28586 - 34938 £ per year.
We welcome applications for this support post to commence as soon as possible. For an outstanding candidate, the college will consider a 'golden hello' payment of up to 10% of the annual salary.
The Role
The main duties and responsibilities of this role include:
The Service Desk Analyst provides professional, responsive and customer-focused first and second-line technical support across Cardinal Newman College and Lancaster University School of Mathematics. Working within the Service Desk & End-User Support team, the postholder delivers support both through the IT Service Desk and in person across classrooms, offices and shared learning spaces. This is a hands-on technical role. The postholder takes ownership of incidents and service requests from initial contact through diagnosis to resolution, investigating and resolving issues wherever possible rather than passing them on. Support is provided remotely where practical and in person where the fault is physical, urgent, or the teaching space is in use. The role covers end-user devices, classroom and audio-visual technology, printing, user accounts and access, productivity and collaboration applications, connectivity and peripherals. Where an issue requires specialist infrastructure knowledge, elevated technical intervention, or relates to a wider-impact service issue, the postholder escalates it through the agreed IT Service Management process with appropriate ownership, handover and communication.
The Successful Candidate
Cardinal Newman College is a wonderful place to work, and this is an exciting opportunity for a customer focused and enthusiastic candidate to join our friendly and well established team. The IT Services department is looking for someone who is technically capable, customer-focused and a methodical problem solver who communicates clearly, stays calm under pressure and sees work through to resolution. Experience supporting end-user technology is essential; knowledge of Microsoft technologies, endpoint management, IT Service Management, classroom technology or education is advantageous. Reliability, organisation, initiative, teamwork and a commitment to learning are equally important. You should display the values, attitudes, and behaviours consistent with the Catholic Ethos of the College and have a commitment to equality and diversity and the safeguarding of young people and vulnerable adults.
Terms and Conditions
Hours: 37 hours per week, full year. Starting and finishing times will be on a rota basis between the hours of 8.00am and 16.45pm Monday to Friday.
Salary: The post will be paid on the Sixth Form Colleges’ Support Staff Pay Spine at points 14 to 15 - £31,324 to £32,199 per annum. For an outstanding candidate, the college will consider a 'golden hello' payment of up to 10% of the annual salary.
Closing date for receipt of applications: 11.59pm on Wednesday 23rd September 2026 (we reserve the right to close the advert in advance of this date).
Why work at Cardinal Newman College?
We are a happy and thriving Catholic Sixth Form College committed to equality and diversity, welcoming colleagues from all backgrounds into our community irrespective of their religion or belief, ethnicity, age, gender, gender identity, disability, sexual orientation, marital or pregnancy status. We are an outstanding college in every aspect and one of the highest-performing Sixth Form Colleges nationally for Value Added. We recognise the invaluable contribution our dedicated staff make to the success of our students and the College as a whole. As such, we aim to foster a culture where staff feel valued and supported.
We also offer a range of excellent staff benefits, including:
- Generous Pension schemes for both teachers and support staff
- Pro rata to 25 days holidays plus 4 concessionary days and bank holidays for support staff
- Staff are contractually entitled to time off at Christmas in line with the college holidays, usually around 2 weeks.
- A genuine commitment to staff health and wellbeing
- Access to a salary sacrifice electric vehicle scheme
- Access to the Cycle to Work Scheme and Techscheme
- Free use of the on-site gym
- Access to professional development and the opportunity to undertake professional qualifications through apprenticeships
- Flu Vouchers
- Staff savings scheme
More detailed information on further staff benefits can be found within our staff perks document attached. Completed application forms should be submitted by 11.59pm on Wednesday 23rd September 2026. We will confirm receipt of all applications by email within one working day of receipt. Please call the HR team if you have not received a confirmation email by the closing date. We do ask that you accept, in the interests of economy, that if you have not heard from us by mid October that you have not been selected for interview on this occasion.
Further Information
Further details are available at (url removed) or by telephone to the college on (phone number removed) or (phone number removed). All offers of appointment are subject to Disclosure and Barring Service clearance as well as a range of other safer recruitment checks.
Service Desk Analyst (1st & 2nd Line IT Support) in Preston employer: Cardinal Newman College
Cardinal Newman College is an exceptional employer, offering a supportive and inclusive work environment that values diversity and the contributions of its staff. With a strong commitment to employee wellbeing, generous benefits including a pension scheme, professional development opportunities, and a vibrant community atmosphere, this role as a Service Desk Analyst provides a meaningful opportunity to make a difference in the lives of students and colleagues alike.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Service Desk Analyst (1st & 2nd Line IT Support) in Preston
✨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 Cardinal Newman College 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 Cardinal Newman College 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 Cardinal Newman College!
✨Direct Apply to Cardinal Newman College
Let's not forget to apply directly through the Cardinal Newman College 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 Service Desk Analyst (1st & 2nd Line IT Support) in Preston
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 Cardinal Newman College.
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 Cardinal Newman College. 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 Cardinal Newman College
✨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.
