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 make a real impact.
- Other info: Opportunity for career growth and collaboration with passionate teams.
- Why this job: Shape the future of education technology while working in a supportive environment.
- Qualifications: Experience with Google Workspace and Microsoft technologies is essential.
The predicted salary is between 40992 - 58569 £ 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
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.
Safeguarding Statement: The Girls' Day School Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, and applicants must be willing to undergo child protection checks appropriate to the post, including online searches and checks with past employers and the Disclosure and Barring Service.
IT Operations Manager (Cluster) (Sheffield, Northampton, Norwich and Nottingham) employer: GDST
The Girls' Day School Trust (GDST) is an exceptional employer, offering a collaborative and innovative work culture that prioritises professional development and employee well-being. As an IT Operations Manager (Cluster), you will play a pivotal role in enhancing educational technology across multiple schools in Sheffield, Northampton, Norwich, and Nottingham, while benefiting from a supportive environment that fosters growth and embraces cutting-edge cloud solutions. Join us to make a meaningful impact in a values-driven organisation dedicated to excellence in girls' education.
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 your connections in the education and IT sectors. Attend local meetups or webinars related to IT operations. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! Create a portfolio that highlights your experience with Google Workspace and Microsoft technologies. Include case studies or examples of how you've improved IT services in previous roles. This will make you stand out when chatting with potential employers.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for interviews by researching the schools in the cluster. Understand their tech needs and challenges. Tailor your responses to show how your experience aligns with their goals, especially around digital transformation and educational technology.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive about their job search. So, get your application in and let’s make it happen!
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 held. 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 ITIL principles and service management.
Showcase Your Technical Skills:In your application, don't forget to showcase your technical skills, especially in cloud services and cybersecurity. We love candidates who can demonstrate their hands-on experience and problem-solving abilities in these areas.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother process. It helps us keep track of applications and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates. Plus, it’s super easy!
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 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. This is crucial as the role involves professional leadership across school-based technical teams.
✨Understand ITIL Principles
Familiarise yourself with ITIL service management principles, especially around incident, problem, change, and asset management processes. 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 will be key. Prepare to demonstrate your stakeholder management skills during the interview.
