At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead digital transformation and innovation across a multi-academy trust.
- Company: Dynamic multi-academy trust focused on high achievement and equal opportunities.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, local government pension, 33 days holiday, and employee wellbeing platforms.
- Other info: Hybrid working with a supportive executive leadership team.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in education through technology and drive positive change.
- Qualifications: Experience in digital transformation and cyber security, ideally in the education sector.
The predicted salary is between 115000 - 125000 € per year.
Your new company is a forward-thinking and rapidly growing multi-academy trust with a strong commitment to ensuring high achievement and equal opportunities for every learner, with academies based in both Staffordshire and Greater Manchester. The trust oversees a diverse family of academies and is driven by the belief that no child's ambitions should be limited by background or ability. Its mission centres on raising aspirations, accelerating progress and enabling ambitious life goals for all pupils, underpinned by a values-led culture and a clear focus on quality, inclusion and consistency across its schools.
As the trust continues to expand, digital leadership plays an increasingly critical role in supporting school improvement, operational excellence and learner outcomes. With a strong emphasis on school support, talent development and continuous improvement, the organisation is well-positioned for a senior digital leader to modernise systems, drive innovation from an AI perspective and shape a trust-wide digital transformation strategy. A Chief Digital Officer will join an ambitious Executive Leadership Team, committed to using technology to remove barriers, strengthen organisational capability and deliver consistently high standards across all academies.
Your new role involves reporting to the CEO and leading the development and delivery of a trust-wide digital and IT strategy, setting clear priorities, investment plans and measurable outcomes. You will maintain oversight of the Trust's digital landscape, establishing a transformation roadmap and driving the transition to a coherent enterprise architecture across platforms, integrations and data flows, working closely with the wider team at head office and in individual academies. The role will champion innovation and modernisation across schools and central services while ensuring all technology decisions support educational priorities and safeguarding expectations.
This includes providing strategic advice to the CEO and Trustees, overseeing core systems and infrastructure to ensure they are secure, resilient and scalable, and driving value for money through effective procurement and vendor management. You will lead the Trust's cyber-security strategy, embedding strong risk management, incident response and digital resilience, while promoting cyber awareness across the organisation. The Chief Digital Officer will also establish and embed a trust-wide data governance framework, ensuring high-quality, consistent and accessible data to support informed decision-making.
They will take a responsible and forward-thinking approach to emerging technologies, with a strong emphasis on AI, identifying opportunities to enhance teaching, learning and organisational effectiveness. Working closely with education leaders, you will ensure digital platforms and tools meet the needs of schools and have a positive impact on teaching and learning, setting high standards trust-wide. As a senior executive leader, you will provide regular updates to the CEO and Board, lead major digital transformation programmes and support the professional development of IT and digital teams across the Trust.
Please note this role does offer hybrid working; however, you will need to have a weekly presence at the Head Office based in Staffordshire.
What you'll need to succeed: In order to be successful in securing this role, you will be working at an executive level in relation to digital transformation, ideally with education sector experience. You will have spearheaded a digital transformation previously, working across multiple sites and closely with a wider executive team to deliver change. Ownership of a digital or technology strategy will be essential, with experience developing and leading on cyber security and managing a team being crucial. From an individual perspective, you will have a passion for working in the education sector and understand the impact of technology on the education sector and on learners individually.
What you'll get in return: In return, you will be joining this executive leadership team where you will become an integral part of the organisation, all working together towards a common goal in this rewarding environment. You will receive a competitive salary of between £115,000 and £125,000 dependent on experience and will also receive a local government pension scheme and an attractive benefits package. This includes 33 days holiday (plus bank holidays) and access to a retail discount scheme, a cycle to work scheme and employee wellbeing platforms.
If you're interested in this role, click 'apply now' to forward an up-to-date copy of your CV, or call us now. If this job isn't quite right for you, but you are looking for a new position, please contact us for a confidential discussion about your career.
Chief Officer - Adult Services in Stoke-on-Trent employer: Hays Specialist Recruitment Limited
Join a dynamic multi-academy trust that prioritises high achievement and equal opportunities for every learner, fostering a values-led culture focused on quality and inclusion. As part of the executive leadership team, you will benefit from a competitive salary, generous holiday allowance, and a supportive work environment that champions professional development and innovation in education technology. With hybrid working options and a commitment to employee wellbeing, this role offers a unique opportunity to make a meaningful impact in the education sector while enjoying a fulfilling career.
Contact Detail:
Hays Specialist Recruitment Limited Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Chief Officer - Adult Services in Stoke-on-Trent
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the education sector and let them know you're on the hunt for a Chief Digital Officer role. You never know who might have the inside scoop on opportunities or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Showcase your digital transformation success stories! When you get the chance to chat with potential employers, highlight specific projects where you've led change. This will demonstrate your capability and passion for using technology to enhance education.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for interviews by researching the trust's current digital landscape. Understand their challenges and think about how you can contribute to their mission of raising aspirations and improving learner outcomes through innovative tech solutions.
✨Tip Number 4
Don't forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we’re always looking for passionate individuals who want to make a difference in the education sector.
We think you need these skills to ace Chief Officer - Adult Services in Stoke-on-Trent
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV reflects the skills and experiences that align with the Chief Digital Officer role. Highlight your previous digital transformation projects and any relevant education sector experience to show us you’re the right fit.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to tell us why you’re passionate about education and technology. Share specific examples of how you've driven innovation and change in previous roles.
Showcase Your Leadership Skills:As a senior executive, we want to see your leadership style. Include examples of how you've led teams through digital transformations and how you’ve fostered collaboration across multiple sites.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website for a smoother application process. It helps us keep track of your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates!
How to prepare for a job interview at Hays Specialist Recruitment Limited
✨Know Your Digital Transformation Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of digital transformation in the education sector. Be ready to discuss specific examples of how you've led similar initiatives, especially across multiple sites. This will show that you understand the unique challenges and opportunities in this field.
✨Show Your Passion for Education
It's crucial to convey your enthusiasm for working in the education sector. Share personal stories or experiences that highlight your commitment to improving learner outcomes through technology. This will resonate with the values of the trust and demonstrate that you're aligned with their mission.
✨Prepare for Cyber Security Questions
Given the emphasis on cyber security in the role, be prepared to discuss your experience in managing cyber security strategies. Think about specific incidents you've handled and how you ensured data resilience and compliance. This will showcase your expertise and readiness for the responsibilities of the position.
✨Understand the Trust's Vision
Familiarise yourself with the trust's goals and values before the interview. Be ready to articulate how your vision for digital transformation aligns with their mission of raising aspirations and ensuring equal opportunities for every learner. This will demonstrate your commitment to their objectives and your potential fit within the team.
