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- Tasks: Lead and manage IT systems across multiple academies, ensuring security and reliability.
- Company: Join a forward-thinking Trust dedicated to education and community wellbeing.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, generous leave, and strong pension schemes.
- Other info: Embrace a people-first culture with excellent professional development opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on educational technology while growing your career.
- Qualifications: Proven experience in IT infrastructure, cybersecurity, and team leadership required.
The predicted salary is between 60440 - 65819 £ per year.
This is a trust wide role with regular travel to our academies required, ideally based near our key hubs in Bristol, London or the Midlands.
We are looking to appoint an experienced Head of IT Systems to own and run the Trust’s core IT systems and infrastructure on an operational basis, ensuring they are secure, reliable, well administered, and consistently supported across all academies.
Pay range: SCP48 - SCP52 (£60,440 - £65,819) Permanent, full-time, all year round Trust-wide, with regular travel to academies.
Key responsibilities:- Lead day-to-day technical delivery across cybersecurity controls, infrastructure and cloud services, networks and broadband, backups and recovery, endpoint protection, core systems administration, and the technical aspects of supplier support.
- Own operational management of the Trust’s core infrastructure and cloud platforms (for example identity services, email, collaboration platforms, endpoint management, network services, servers, storage).
- Maintain secure configuration baselines and standard builds across Trust-managed systems.
- Lead routine administration, upgrades, patching, and capacity planning for core services.
- Maintain technical documentation, runbooks, network diagrams, and standard operating procedures.
- Strong hands-on experience running infrastructure and cloud services at scale, including networks and identity.
- Experience operating cybersecurity controls, including endpoint protection, patching, vulnerability remediation, and incident response support.
- Proven experience leading or supervising technical teams and managing operational delivery priorities.
- Experience in education or another multi-site environment.
- Financial and Lifestyle: We offer a strong financial package including access to defined benefit pension schemes (LGPS or TPS), life cover at three times pensionable pay, and 31 days of annual leave for year-round employees. Staff can also benefit from the Cycle to Work scheme, promoting healthy and sustainable commuting.
- Professional Growth and Development: We invest heavily in staff development through tailored INSET days and high-quality CPD opportunities. Teaching staff benefit from automatic TLR progression, a structured 9-point pay scale (M1 to UPS3), and full TLR payments for part-time colleagues fulfilling full responsibilities.
- Culture and Wellbeing: Our people-first culture values every colleague. We support wellbeing through the Wisdom app and a free Employee Assistance Programme offering counselling and financial advice. Collaboration is at the heart of our Trust, encouraging shared learning and collective success.
E-ACT is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of young people and vulnerable adults, and all appointments are subject to enhanced Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS) checks and satisfactory references. E-ACT is also committed to promoting equality, challenging discrimination and developing community cohesion. We welcome applications from all sections of the community.
Head of IT Systems in Bristol employer: E-ACT
Contact Detail:
E-ACT Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of IT Systems in Bristol
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the IT field, especially those who work in education or multi-site environments. A friendly chat can lead to insider info about job openings or even a referral.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! Prepare a portfolio or a presentation that highlights your experience with IT systems, cybersecurity, and cloud services. This will help you stand out during interviews and showcase your hands-on expertise.
✨Tip Number 3
Stay updated on industry trends! Follow relevant blogs, podcasts, or webinars to keep your knowledge fresh. This not only helps in interviews but also shows your passion for the field.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! We love seeing applications directly from candidates who are genuinely interested in joining our Trust. It shows initiative and enthusiasm, which we value highly.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of IT Systems in Bristol
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV reflects the skills and experiences that match the Head of IT Systems role. Highlight your hands-on experience with infrastructure and cloud services, as well as any leadership roles you've had in technical teams.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're passionate about this role and how your background aligns with our mission at StudySmarter. Don’t forget to mention your experience in multi-site environments!
Showcase Your Technical Skills: In your application, be sure to detail your expertise in cybersecurity controls, network services, and operational management. We want to see how you can lead day-to-day technical delivery effectively across our academies.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website for a smoother process. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and keep track of all the amazing candidates like you!
How to prepare for a job interview at E-ACT
✨Know Your Tech Inside Out
Make sure you’re well-versed in the core IT systems and infrastructure mentioned in the job description. Brush up on your knowledge of cybersecurity controls, cloud services, and network management. Being able to discuss these topics confidently will show that you’re the right fit for the role.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Since this role involves leading technical teams, be prepared to share examples of how you've successfully managed teams in the past. Highlight your experience in operational delivery and how you prioritised tasks to meet deadlines. This will demonstrate your capability to lead effectively.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect questions that ask how you would handle specific situations, like a cybersecurity incident or a system outage. Think through your past experiences and be ready to explain your thought process and actions taken. This will help interviewers see your problem-solving skills in action.
✨Understand the Trust's Culture
Familiarise yourself with the Trust’s values and culture, especially their commitment to safeguarding and community cohesion. Be ready to discuss how your personal values align with theirs and how you can contribute to their people-first approach. This will show that you’re not just a tech expert but also a good cultural fit.