Head of IT

Your new company is a multi-academy trust, currently consisting of 12 primary schools and 4 secondary schools, with exciting growth plans for the next 5 years (increasing to circa 60 schools). It is crucial that the right individuals are appointed to ensure the continued success and growth of the trust. Based in Burnley in East Lancashire, the trust has excellent transport links and is in a beautiful area of the North West, where it plays an integral part in fulfilling the Diocese's vision. The trust's values - Faith, Service, Aspiration & Collaboration - are at the heart of everything they do, providing a high level of support to all academies in the trust.

Your new role involves reporting to the CEO and being responsible for the strategic leadership, development, and management of the Trust's IT infrastructure and service. You will manage a high-performing team of IT specialists to ensure academies and the central team are fully supported. From a strategic perspective, you will develop, maintain, and deliver the IT strategy, working closely with the Senior Leadership Team and stakeholders across the organisation to ensure an IT service that encourages the highest level of teaching and learning in academies.

You will lead on the management of the trust's service desk, consider the implementation of new technologies and software development, and promote and develop the use of IT policies and processes across the trust. You will also have overall responsibility for the network across the trust. Operationally, you will manage an existing team of 2 IT Managers and consider the IT offering to schools as it evolves, with recruitment and training being key parts of your role as the trust's central IT team grows.

Additionally, you will be responsible for cyber-security and IT compliance across the trust, regularly reviewing policies, procedures, and Service Level Agreements to ensure the highest level of service is provided. You will lead on and successfully deliver all IT projects with the support of the wider team and external parties, being fully accountable for timings and budgets. Furthermore, you will manage the IT budget and regularly present and communicate to the senior leadership team regarding upcoming IT projects and costings. Please note this role will be on site 5 days a week in Lancashire, with time spent at both the central head office and the individual academies.

To succeed in this position, you must possess significant IT leadership experience, with specific experience of designing and delivering a strategy, ensuring the successful delivery of projects, and leading a team to provide a high level of IT service. Ideally, you will have experience working in the education sector in a multi-site role, with a strong knowledge of educational technologies and the overall impact that IT has on teaching and learning in schools. A passion for working in the education sector is essential, along with the desire to further develop your own skills and experience as you become an integral part of this growing organisation. As the trust is a Microsoft Trust, a strong working knowledge of Microsoft 365 is essential, with experience working with Arbor being beneficial.

In return, you will join this established organisation during a significant period of growth, receiving further training and development to advance your career. The trust demonstrates its commitment to your development by considering access to appropriate professional bodies and payment of membership fees after 6 months of service. You will become an integral part of the senior leadership team, fully supported upon joining the trust, collaborating with others to achieve the overall vision of the trust and feeling a real sense of reward. You will receive a competitive salary of between £60,000 and £68,000 dependent on experience (with annual pay reviews), as well as an attractive benefits package, including a local government pension scheme, access to an Employee Assistance Programme, free on-site parking, a discounted gym membership, and access to a Blue Light Discount card. Holidays will depend on continuous service in the public sector, offering either 26 days + 2 statutory + bank holidays (36 days) or for those with more than 5 years of service, 32 days + 2 statutory days + bank holidays (42 days).

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.