At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead IT operations across multiple schools, ensuring top-notch tech support and continuous improvement.
- Company: Join the Girls’ Day School Trust, a pioneer in girls' education with a strong community focus.
- Benefits: Enjoy a supportive work environment, professional development, and the chance to make a real impact.
- Other info: Collaborate with passionate teams and drive innovation in a values-led organisation.
- Why this job: Be at the forefront of educational technology, shaping the future of learning for students.
- Qualifications: Proven experience with Google Workspace and Microsoft technologies, plus strong leadership skills.
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.
For further details and to apply please click the apply button.
Closing date: 8th June 2026 at 11:59 PM. 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) in Conisbrough employer: GIRLS DAY SCHOOL TRUST
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 unique opportunity to lead and enhance IT services across multiple schools, contributing to high-quality education while benefiting from a supportive environment that values your expertise in cloud technologies and IT management. With a commitment to safeguarding and a focus on continuous improvement, GDST provides a meaningful platform for making a positive impact in the educational sector.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land IT Operations Manager (Cluster) in Conisbrough
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to current or former employees of GDST on LinkedIn. A friendly chat can give us insider info about the role and the company culture, plus it shows our genuine interest.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by brushing up on your Google Workspace and Microsoft tech skills. We should be ready to discuss specific examples of how we've used these tools in past roles, especially in a multi-site environment.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase our leadership skills! Think of times when we've led teams or projects, particularly in IT service delivery. We want to highlight our ability to manage and develop technical teams effectively.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure our application gets noticed. Plus, we can tailor our application to match the job description perfectly.
We think you need these skills to ace IT Operations Manager (Cluster) in Conisbrough
Some tips for your application 🫡
Read the Job Description Thoroughly:Before you start writing your application, make sure to read the job description carefully. Understand what the IT Operations Manager role entails and how your skills align with the requirements. This will help us see that you’re a great fit!
Tailor Your CV and Cover Letter:Don’t just send out a generic CV! Tailor your CV and cover letter to highlight your experience with Google Workspace and Microsoft technologies. We want to see how your background matches the specific needs of the GDST schools.
Showcase Your Leadership Skills:Since this role involves technical leadership, make sure to showcase your experience in leading teams and managing IT services. Share examples of how you've driven improvements and collaborated with stakeholders in previous roles.
Apply Through Our Website:Once you’ve polished your application, head over to our website to submit it. Applying directly through our site ensures that your application gets to the right people quickly. We can’t wait to see what you bring to the table!
How to prepare for a job interview at GIRLS DAY SCHOOL TRUST
✨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 team development and cross-site collaboration. The interviewers will want to see that you can inspire and guide others while maintaining high standards across all schools.
✨Understand ITIL Principles
Familiarise yourself with ITIL service management principles and be ready to discuss how you've applied them in previous roles. Think about specific incidents where you improved service delivery or managed change effectively, as this will demonstrate your operational expertise.
✨Communicate Clearly with Stakeholders
Practice explaining complex technical concepts in simple terms. You’ll need to communicate with both technical and non-technical audiences, so being able to bridge that gap is crucial. Prepare scenarios where you successfully managed stakeholder expectations or resolved conflicts.
