Head of IT & Digital Strategy

The Head of IT provides strategic leadership and operational oversight of all IT and digital services across St Leonards School. The postholder will lead the School through a period of strategic digital development, ensuring that technology effectively supports teaching and learning, operational efficiency, cyber security resilience and long-term growth. The role combines strategic planning, operational management, cyber security leadership and data protection accountability. The Head of IT will ensure that IT services are robust, secure, innovative and aligned with the School’s wider strategic objectives.

Strategic Leadership & Digital Development

• Design and develop, implement and regularly review the School’s IT and Digital Strategy in alignment with the overall School Strategic Plan.
• Lead digital transformation initiatives that enhance teaching, learning and administrative efficiency.
• Chair or contribute to digital roadmap planning, ensuring clear priorities and measurable outcomes.
• Advise the Executive Team and Governors on emerging technologies, risks, opportunities and sector trends.
• Ensure digital infrastructure supports future growth, resilience and innovation.

IT Operations & Service Delivery

• Oversee the delivery of effective, responsive and high-quality IT support services to staff and pupils.
• Ensure appropriate service levels, performance monitoring and continuous improvement of IT support.
• Maintain robust IT infrastructure including networks, servers, cloud services, devices and telephony (mobile and fixed line).
• Ensure business continuity and disaster recovery plans are in place, tested and regularly reviewed.
• Monitor system performance and uptime to ensure minimal disruption to teaching and operations.

Cyber Security & Risk Management

• Lead the development and continuous improvement of the School’s cyber security framework.
• Work with internal colleagues and external suppliers to strengthen cyber defences and system resilience.
• Ensure compliance with recognised security standards and best practice.
• Oversee risk assessments, penetration testing, patch management and incident response planning.
• Report cyber risks and mitigation strategies to senior leadership and Governors.
• Guide the Executive on incident management planning and lead on SAR requests and IT Cyber breach.

Data Protection & GDPR (DPO Function)

• Act as the School’s Data Protection Officer (DPO).
• Ensure compliance with UK GDPR and Data Protection legislation.
• Maintain oversight of data processing activities and the School’s Data Protection Policy.
• Manage data breaches and report incidents as required.
• Provide training and guidance to staff on data protection responsibilities.
• Oversee Data Protection Impact Assessments (DPIAs).

AI Integration and Oversight

• The Head of IT is responsible for overseeing the strategic implementation, governance, security, and ethical use of AI technologies within the school.
• Ensures that AI systems support educational objectives while protecting data, maintaining compliance with regulations, and promoting responsible AI use among staff and students.

Budget & Financial Management

• Develop and manage the annual IT budget.
• Lead long-term IT financial planning and capital investment proposals.
• Ensure cost-effective procurement of hardware, software and services.
• Monitor contracts and licensing to ensure value for money and compliance.
• Present budget updates and investment proposals to the Finance, IT & Estates Committee.

Supplier & Contract Management

• Manage relationships with external IT support providers (including IO or equivalent).
• Oversee third-party contractors, cyber security providers and website managers.
• Negotiate contracts, service level agreements and renewals.
• Ensure suppliers meet performance, compliance and safeguarding expectations.

Team Leadership & Line Management

• Line manage the IT team, including: Help Desk Technician, Database (MIS) Officer.
• Set clear objectives, performance standards and professional development plans.
• Foster a culture of service excellence, accountability and continuous improvement.
• Ensure appropriate cover arrangements and succession planning.

Teaching & Learning Innovation

• Work closely with academic staff to support digital learning initiatives.
• Promote effective use of educational technology in classrooms.
• Support staff training and digital upskilling.
• Identify opportunities to enhance pupil digital literacy and innovation.

Governance & Reporting

• Member of the Digital Strategy Group.
• Work closely with the Executive Team.
• Provide reports and updates to the Finance, IT & Estates Committee and Board of Governors.
• Contribute to risk registers and compliance reporting.

Cross-School Collaboration

• Collaborate with: Senior Leadership Team, External Relations (CRM, digital marketing, website), Finance (systems integration and compliance), HR (systems, payroll interfaces, staff data), Estates (infrastructure, cabling, physical security), Commercial operations, External website managers & third party contractors.

Person Specification

Essential

• Honours degree (or equivalent professional experience) in IT, Computer Science or related field.
• Recognised IT professional qualifications.
• Significant experience in senior IT leadership.
• Experience managing cyber security frameworks and risk.
• Experience managing budgets and external suppliers.
• Strong team management and leadership capability.
• Demonstrable knowledge of GDPR and data protection compliance.

Desirable

• Experience in the education sector.
• Experience acting as DPO.
• Experience leading digital transformation programmes.
• Cyber security certifications (e.g. CISSP, CISM, CEH).

Personal Attributes

• Strategic thinker with strong operational delivery capability.
• Calm and decisive under pressure.
• Excellent communicator across technical and non-technical audiences.
• Highly organised with strong governance awareness.
• Committed to safeguarding and pupil wellbeing.

About St Leonards

St Leonards is a friendly and forward-looking independent, coeducational, boarding and day school situated on an historic campus at the heart of the university town of St Andrews. The school enjoys an unrivalled location - there are sandy beaches, world-class Links golf courses, and historic sites on its doorstep. St Leonards delivers the inspiring, globally-recognised International Baccalaureate curriculum for pupils aged five to 18, and was the first school to be accredited as an all-through IB school in Scotland. It is one of just two schools in the UK to actively offer all four IB programmes, ensuring a seamless learner journey. The youngest pupils follow the Primary Years Programme, which goes hand-in-hand with the vibrant Outdoor Learning programme at St Leonards. This is followed by the Middle Years Programme and (I)GCSEs. In the Sixth Form, pupils choose between the Career-related Programme and the Diploma Programme. St Leonards enjoys a rich sporting heritage, and continues to boast a strong record of achievement with pupils representing the school nationally in various sports. The leading five-tier Golf Programme continues to go from strength to strength, the Duke of Edinburgh Award is the fastest growing of all Scottish independent schools, and an exciting calendar of trips and activities ensures pupils leave St Leonards equipped with the skills required to succeed in today’s ever-changing world. Truly an education ‘Ad Vitam’ (for life).