At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and manage the Trust’s IT systems, ensuring security and reliability across all academies.
- Company: Join a people-first Trust dedicated to innovation and collaboration in education.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, generous leave, pension schemes, and professional development opportunities.
- Other info: Dynamic role with travel, fostering collaboration and growth in a supportive environment.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on education by enhancing IT systems that support learning.
- Qualifications: Proven experience in IT infrastructure, cybersecurity, and team leadership required.
The predicted salary is between 60440 - 65819 £ per year.
Location: This is a trust wide role with regular travel to our academies, 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.
Head of IT Systems employer: E-ACT
Contact Detail:
E-ACT Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of IT Systems
✨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 that might not even be advertised yet.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! Prepare a portfolio or a presentation that highlights your experience with IT systems and cybersecurity controls. When you get the chance to meet potential employers, this will help you stand out from the crowd.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice makes perfect! Set up mock interviews with friends or mentors to refine your responses to common questions about operational management and technical delivery. The more comfortable you are, the better you'll perform when it counts.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! We’re always on the lookout for talented individuals like you. Plus, applying directly can sometimes give you an edge over other candidates.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of IT Systems
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Head of IT Systems role. Highlight your experience with IT systems, cybersecurity, and team leadership. We want to see how your skills match what we're looking for!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're the perfect fit for our Trust. Share specific examples of your past achievements in managing IT systems and leading teams.
Showcase Your Technical Skills: Don’t forget to highlight your hands-on experience with infrastructure and cloud services. We’re keen on seeing your familiarity with cybersecurity controls and operational management, so make it clear!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for a smooth application 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
As a Head of IT Systems, you'll need to lead technical teams effectively. Prepare examples from your past experiences where you've successfully managed teams or projects. Highlight how you prioritised operational delivery and resolved challenges, as this will demonstrate your capability to lead in a multi-site environment.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect questions that assess your problem-solving skills in real-world scenarios. Think about potential issues related to IT systems and how you would handle them. Practising these scenarios can help you articulate your thought process clearly during the interview.
✨Understand the Trust's Culture
Familiarise yourself with the Trust’s values and culture, especially their commitment to collaboration and wellbeing. Be ready to discuss how you can contribute to this culture and support the team’s collective success. This shows that you’re not just looking for a job, but a place where you can make a meaningful impact.