At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead IT operations across multiple schools, ensuring top-notch tech support and infrastructure.
- Company: Join the Girls’ Day School Trust, a pioneer in girls' education with a strong ethos.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, professional development, and a chance to impact education positively.
- Other info: Collaborative environment with opportunities for leadership and growth.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in students' learning experiences through innovative technology.
- Qualifications: Proven experience with Google Workspace and Microsoft technologies is essential.
The predicted salary is between 45000 - 55000 € per year.
The Girls’ Day School Trust is seeking to appoint an outstanding IT Operations Manager (Cluster) to play a key technical and operational leadership role across a group of GDST schools in Sheffield, Norwich, Nottingham and Northampton. The IT Operations Manager (Cluster) will be responsible for the delivery, management and continuous improvement of IT infrastructure, cloud platforms, systems and support services across the cluster. Working closely with cluster leadership teams, school stakeholders and Trust Office ITS colleagues, the postholder will ensure that technology services support high-quality teaching, learning, safeguarding and operational collaboration across all schools.
A major focus of the role will be the management and support of cloud-first educational technologies, with particular emphasis on Google Workspace for Education, which is heavily embedded across the Cluster schools. Significant hands-on experience administering and supporting Google Workspace is therefore essential, including user and device management, Google Admin Console, security policies, collaboration tools, data governance and troubleshooting within large multi-site environments. The successful candidate will also provide technical leadership across a broad Microsoft ecosystem, including Microsoft 365, Azure/Entra ID, Windows Server, endpoint management and hybrid infrastructure environments.
They will work closely with school technical teams and digital leads to deliver reliable, secure and scalable IT services aligned to Trust-wide standards and strategic objectives. The IT Operations Manager (Cluster) will take ownership of IT service delivery and operational governance, applying ITIL-aligned best practices across incident, problem, change and asset management processes. The role will involve managing service quality, ensuring compliance with cybersecurity and safeguarding standards, and driving continuous improvement initiatives across the cluster.
The postholder will provide professional leadership and development for school-based technical teams, ensuring consistent technical standards, effective knowledge sharing and strong operational support capability across all schools. They will collaborate closely with EdTech leads, school leadership and Trust ITS teams to support innovation, digital transformation and the effective use of educational technology. The IT Operations Manager (Cluster) will be accountable to the Trust Office ITS School Support Team for the technical management, installation, maintenance, security, availability and integrity of the schools’ IT infrastructure and cloud services. They will quality assure IT operations across the cluster, ensuring GDST standards, policies and procedures are consistently maintained.
We are looking for someone who can demonstrate:
- Strong technical leadership across enterprise IT infrastructure and cloud services
- Extensive experience with Google Workspace for Education administration and support (essential)
- Experience managing Microsoft technologies including Microsoft 365, Azure/Entra ID and Windows environments
- Knowledge and application of ITIL service management principles and operational best practices
- Strategic delivery, digital transformation and change management experience
- Operational effectiveness, technical troubleshooting and service improvement
- Cybersecurity, business continuity, backup and disaster recovery expertise
- Quality assurance, compliance, reporting and governance experience
- Leadership, team development and cross-site collaboration skills
- Excellent stakeholder management and communication across technical and non-technical audiences
Why join GDST? The GDST is a unique family of schools with a long history of excellence and innovation in girls’ education. We are proud of our distinctive ethos, our strong sense of purpose and our commitment to supporting both pupils and colleagues to thrive. This is an opportunity to make a meaningful contribution across multiple schools and to work as part of a values-led organisation with ambition for the future.
IT Operations Manager (Cluster) (Sheffield, Northampton, Norwich and Nottingham) employer: GDST
The Girls’ Day School Trust is an exceptional employer, offering a collaborative and innovative work culture that prioritises the professional growth of its staff. As an IT Operations Manager (Cluster), you will have the opportunity to lead and enhance IT services across multiple schools, ensuring that technology supports high-quality education while benefiting from a supportive environment that values continuous improvement and teamwork. With a commitment to excellence in girls' education, GDST provides a unique platform for making a meaningful impact in the lives of students and colleagues alike.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land IT Operations Manager (Cluster) (Sheffield, Northampton, Norwich and Nottingham)
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to current or former employees at GDST on LinkedIn. A friendly chat can give you insider info and maybe even a referral, which can really boost your chances.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by brushing up on your Google Workspace skills. Since it's a big part of the role, being able to discuss your hands-on experience confidently will show you're the right fit.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your leadership skills! Think of examples where you've led teams or projects, especially in IT operations. This will help you stand out as someone who can drive change and improvement across the cluster.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining the GDST family.
We think you need these skills to ace IT Operations Manager (Cluster) (Sheffield, Northampton, Norwich and Nottingham)
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV is tailored to the IT Operations Manager role. Highlight your experience with Google Workspace and Microsoft technologies, as well as any leadership roles you've had. 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 passionate about this role and how you can contribute to our schools. Be sure to mention your experience with cloud services and ITIL principles, as these are key for us.
Showcase Your Leadership Skills:We’re looking for someone who can lead and develop teams. In your application, share examples of how you've successfully managed teams or projects in the past. This will help us see your potential to drive continuous improvement across our cluster.
Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining our team at GDST!
How to prepare for a job interview at GDST
✨Know Your Tech Inside Out
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of Google Workspace for Education and Microsoft technologies. Be ready to discuss your hands-on experience with user management, security policies, and troubleshooting in multi-site environments. This will show that you’re not just familiar with the tools, but that you can effectively lead their implementation.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples of how you've led technical teams or projects in the past. Highlight your experience in developing team capabilities and ensuring consistent technical standards. The interviewers will want to see that you can inspire and guide others while maintaining high operational standards.
✨Understand ITIL Principles
Familiarise yourself with ITIL service management principles, especially around incident, problem, and change management. Be ready to discuss how you've applied these best practices in previous roles to improve service delivery and operational governance.
✨Communicate Effectively
Practice explaining complex technical concepts in simple terms. You’ll need to communicate with both technical and non-technical stakeholders, so being able to bridge that gap is crucial. Think about how you can demonstrate your stakeholder management skills during the interview.
