Head of IT in Colchester

Your new company: This multi-academy trust, currently consisting of 12 primary schools and 4 secondary schools, has exciting growth plans for the next 5 years (increasing to circa 60 schools) and it is therefore 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 the trust proudly plays an integral part in fulfilling the Diocese's vision. As a trust, their values - Faith, service, Aspiration & Collaboration - are at the heart of everything they do and as a central team, they provide a high level of support to all academies in the trust. Due to the recent and further growth planned, this is an incredibly exciting time to join the trust where you can play your own part in the success story, overall positively contributing to the education and lives of children in the area.

Your new role: Reporting to the CEO, the Head of IT will be responsible for the strategic leadership, development and management of the Trust's IT infrastructure and service, whilst managing a high-performing team of IT specialists to ensure academies and the central team are fully supported. From a strategic perspective, you will be responsible for developing, maintaining and delivering the IT strategy, working closely with the Senior Leadership Team and stakeholders across the organisation, to ensure an IT service which encourages the highest level of teaching and learning in academies. You will lead on the management of the trust's service desk, whilst also considering the implementation of new technologies and software development, ensuring that the trust remains at the forefront of the EdTech world. From an infrastructure perspective, you will promote and develop the use of IT policies and processes across the trust, to encourage positive working practices and identifying proactive solutions to potential issues, whilst also having overall responsibility for the network across the trust. Operationally, you will manage an existing team of 2 IT Managers, whilst also considering the IT offering to schools and how this should evolve, therefore you will have recruitment and training as a key part of your role as the trust's central IT team grows. Additionally, you will have responsibility for cyber-security and IT compliance across the trust, therefore regularly reviewing policies, procedures and Service Level Agreements to ensure that the highest level of service is provided. As the Head of IT for this trust, it is also a key part of the role that 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 fully manage the IT budget and therefore be required to 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 being spent at both the central head office, and the individual academies.

What you'll need to succeed: In order to be successful in securing 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. You will ideally have experience working in the education sector in a multi-site role, therefore 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, 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, it is also essential that you have a strong working knowledge of Microsoft 365, with experience working with Arbor being beneficial.

What you'll get in return: In return, you will be joining this established organisation during a significant period of growth, where you will receive further training and development, allowing you to further develop your own career. Further demonstrating the trust's commitment to your development, they also consider access to appropriate professional bodies and payment of membership fees post 6 months service. You will become an integral part of the senior leadership team, where you will be 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 receiving an attractive benefits package. This benefits package includes 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, either offering 26 days + 2 statutory + bank holidays (36 days), or for those with more than 5 years service, 32 days + 2 statutory days + bank holidays (42 days).

What you need to do now: 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.