At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead IT operations, manage teams, and drive tech strategy across three schools.
- Company: The Perse School, a prestigious independent school in Cambridge with a rich history.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, professional development, and a supportive work environment.
- Other info: Join a dynamic team dedicated to enhancing educational experiences through innovative technology.
- Why this job: Shape the future of technology in education while staying hands-on with IT operations.
- Qualifications: Strong leadership skills and technical expertise in IT services.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 £ per year.
The Perse School, founded in 1615, is one of the country’s leading co-educational independent day schools and a charitable company educating around 1,750 children aged 3-18 with over 450 staff. The school provides an exceptional education which is both traditional and innovative, ambitious and caring, understanding and structured, industrious and fun. Located in Cambridge, it comprises three schools: the Pelican (3-7), the Prep (7-11) and the Upper (11-18), with a partner school in Singapore (The Perse School Singapore), which opened in January 2025 and is independently owned and operated. The school is in the UK top 30 of The Times Independent Schools Exam Results league table for A-level, with over 30 students regularly receiving Oxbridge offers. The school is consistently oversubscribed and in strong financial health with an annual turnover of around £40 million. In addition to the day-to-day curricular and extra-curricular activities of the schools, The Perse provides public benefit to local and international communities, working with over 20 local state schools and Christel House Schools overseas to raise educational attainment.
The IT Department is a key support function within the School, providing reliable, responsive and forward-looking technology services across the Perse. Although the department is based at the Upper School, it supports staff and pupils across the Upper, Prep and Pelican Schools. The department has a broad and varied remit, encompassing traditional IT infrastructure such as networks, servers, devices and Wi-Fi, alongside the continued development of cloud services, digital platforms and cyber security. Safeguarding is central to our work, with filtering and monitoring forming an important part of our day-to-day responsibilities. Artificial intelligence is an exciting and rapidly developing area for both the department and the wider School. We are actively exploring how AI can be used safely, effectively and responsibly to enhance working practices, support teaching and learning, and improve the services we provide.
The Deputy Director of IT is a newly enhanced role, replacing the current IT Manager position, and has been designed to work closely alongside the Director of IT to provide greater strategic focus within the School’s IT function. While the role carries significant leadership and strategic responsibility, it remains a highly hands-on technical position. The successful candidate will be expected to work across all levels of IT service delivery, from contributing to infrastructure, systems and cyber security projects through to supporting end users and assisting with helpdesk activities when required. The ability to communicate clearly and effectively with both IT specialists and non-specialist colleagues, pupils and stakeholders will be essential, ensuring that technical information is understood, issues are resolved efficiently, and technology is seen as an enabling service across the School. This role is well suited to an individual who enjoys remaining closely connected to day-to-day technical operations while helping shape the School’s longer-term technology strategy.
Job Purpose
To support the Director of IT in the strategic leadership, operational management and development of IT services across the Perse School. The Deputy Director of IT’s role will include:
- Lead day-to-day IT operations across the three schools
- Deputise for the Director of IT when required
- Provide senior technical and managerial leadership to the IT team
- Drive service excellence, technical standards, cyber resilience and continuous improvement
The role combines operational leadership, senior technical oversight, hands-on involvement in the delivery and support of IT services, and an increasing strategic contribution to the development of technology across the School. In the absence of the Director of IT, the Deputy Director of IT will assume responsibility for the operational leadership of the department, when required, representation at relevant internal meetings, including the Senior Bursary Team and the Executive Leadership Team meetings and urgent strategic and security decision-making.
Line Management
The Deputy Director of IT will directly line-manage the Systems and Network Engineer, IT Support Engineer, Senior IT Helpdesk Technician and the IT Technician.
Key Responsibilities
Operational Leadership
- Lead the day-to-day operation of IT services
- Ensure service reliability and performance
- Act as operational escalation point for complex technical and service issues.
- Oversee the IT helpdesk
- Ensure IT documentation and asset registers are accurate and maintained
Strategic Delivery
Deputy Director of IT employer: The Perse School, Cambridge
The Perse School is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment that fosters innovation and collaboration within its IT Department. Located in the vibrant city of Cambridge, employees benefit from a supportive culture that prioritises professional growth and development, alongside a commitment to safeguarding and enhancing educational experiences through technology. With a strong focus on strategic leadership and hands-on involvement, the Deputy Director of IT role provides a unique opportunity to shape the future of IT services in a prestigious institution dedicated to academic excellence.
Contact Details:
The Perse School, Cambridge Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Deputy Director of IT
✨Tip Number 1
Network, network, network! Get out there and connect with people in the IT field. Attend industry events, join online forums, and don’t be shy about reaching out to professionals on LinkedIn. You never know who might have a lead on your dream job!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching The Perse School and its IT department. Understand their current projects and challenges, especially around AI and cyber security. This will help you tailor your responses and show that you're genuinely interested in contributing to their mission.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your technical skills and be ready to demonstrate them during interviews. Whether it’s troubleshooting a common IT issue or discussing your experience with cloud services, being hands-on will set you apart from other candidates.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website for the best chance of landing the job. We love seeing candidates who take the initiative to engage directly with us. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining our team at The Perse School!
We think you need these skills to ace Deputy Director of IT
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Education:When writing your application, let us see your enthusiasm for education and technology. Mention how your skills can enhance the learning experience at The Perse School and contribute to our mission of providing exceptional education.
Be Clear and Concise:We appreciate straightforward communication! Make sure your application is easy to read and gets straight to the point. Highlight your relevant experience and skills without unnecessary fluff – we want to know what makes you the right fit for the role.
Tailor Your Application:Don’t just send a generic application! Take the time to tailor your CV and cover letter to the Deputy Director of IT role. Reference specific responsibilities from the job description and explain how your background aligns with them. This shows us you’re genuinely interested.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother process. It helps us keep track of applications and ensures you don’t miss any important updates. Plus, it’s super easy – just follow the prompts and submit your materials!
How to prepare for a job interview at The Perse School, Cambridge
✨Know Your Tech Inside Out
Make sure you’re well-versed in the latest IT trends, especially around cloud services and cyber security. Brush up on your knowledge of AI applications in education, as this is a hot topic for the role.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples of how you've led teams or projects in the past. Highlight your ability to communicate effectively with both technical and non-technical staff, as this will be crucial in your role at The Perse School.
✨Understand the School's Vision
Familiarise yourself with The Perse School’s ethos and educational goals. Be ready to discuss how your IT strategies can support their mission of providing an exceptional education while ensuring safeguarding and service excellence.
✨Prepare Questions for Them
Think of insightful questions to ask during the interview. This shows your genuine interest in the role and helps you gauge if the school’s culture aligns with your values, especially regarding innovation and community engagement.
