ICT Manager

Abbotsholme is a day and boarding school for girls and boys aged 2-18, providing a progressive education for today's world. We develop enquiring minds and independent thinkers through respect, honesty, humility, integrity and courage. We are seeking to appoint an enthusiastic ICT Manager.

The Role

The role is to ensure the streamlined operation of the ICT department is in alignment with the school's objectives. The school currently uses a combination of Windows workstations, tablets, laptops, iPads, etc. The ICT Manager will work closely with decision makers in other departments to identify, recommend, develop, implement and support cost-effective technology solutions for all aspects of the organisation. The ICT Manager will also define and implement ICT policies, procedures and best practices and be responsible for all aspects of the school's training facilities, new business generation and training developments.

The Person

You will be an ICT manager with wide-ranging experience. You will have a good working knowledge of various technologies. Whilst knowledge of the education system is useful, a willingness to learn about this specialist field is important.

Main Purpose:

· To strategically manage the development and maintenance of an efficient data and voice ICT infrastructure, including the deployment of the school ICT resources

· To ensure the school's ICT functions efficiently and effectively to meet the needs of the school and its users

· To promote effective teaching and learning throughout the school by the efficient and effective deployment of ICT resources

· To lead on the whole school development of ICT

· To organise and manage all the ICT, telecoms, printing and CCTV support contracts

· Manage and ensure effectiveness of servers, including e-mail, print, and backup servers, and their associated operating systems and software

· Manage and ensure optimal operation of Servers, including Microsoft and OS Servers, on both physical and virtual levels

· Manage and ensure optimal operation of all network hardware and equipment, including routers, switches, hubs, UPSs etc

· Manage and ensure effectiveness of security solutions, including firewalls, anti-virus solutions, and intrusion detection systems

· Manage and ensure optimal operation of other school IT systems such as Office 365, Google Suite, Showbie, JAMF and SchoolCloud

· Establish and maintain regular written and in-person communications with the organisation's, decision-makers, stakeholders, department heads, and end users regarding pertinent network activities

· Approve and administer user accounts, permissions, and access rights

Main Tasks and Accountabilities

1. To manage and provide an ICT technical support and advice service to administrative and curriculum areas as required across the school

2. To manage the performance and monitor all ICT resources and perform advanced diagnosis and resolution of network infrastructure, software and hardware faults (including peripherals and web servers)

3. To actively manage the support contracts/service level agreements for IT, network infrastructure, telephony, CCTV and printing facility to ensure efficient and effective performance and deployment of appropriate support services.

4. To advise on and manage the monitoring of Health and Safety and audit checks including warranties, licences and risk assessments for all hardware, network infrastructure, telephony and CCTV equipment.

5. To lead on and develop the system recovery processes to minimise the risk and impact of a serious disaster and threats to continuity (including management of the appropriate back up regime and virus protection).

6. To continually test and evaluate continuity management systems effectiveness.

7. To ensure best value is achieved with all hardware and software purchases.

8. To identify, lead, manage and support the development of new ICT systems, networks, equipment and applications for the school to ensure the curricular and management needs of the school will continually be met. To develop and maintain a three and/or five year ICT development plan for the school for approval by the Senior Leadership team.

9. To maintain an inventory of all hardware, software licences, network cabling, telephony and CCTV resources and a register of all borrowed equipment. To undertake an annual check of this inventory and to report on the results of this check to the Senior Leadership team. To ensure the school is appropriately insured for this equipment.

10. To participate fully in the school's performance management process and keep Team Improvement plan up to date. To demonstrate a commitment to continuous development, identify opportunities for professional development and undertake training opportunities where appropriate. To keep abreast of developments in the field of ICT and undertake research as appropriate. To advise the Senior Leadership Team on emerging technologies and their applicability to the school.

11. Oversee the development of the school information management systems (PASS or similar)

12. Oversee internet access and usage across the school.

13. To support staff and students using computers and to help them to resolve difficulties.

14. To keep up-to-date with trends in hardware and software and to support and advise SLT on technical matters.

15. To be able to write and advise on the working of simple programmes to assist with learning.

16. To be able to assist with training sessions for staff in IT use and protocol, (MIS and web-portals).

17. To manage the school reporting software and distribute to parents.

18. Manage and maintain school financial system.

19. To maintain stocks and order stocks as required by teaching staff.

20. To maintain a booking system for ICT suite usage.

21. Manage access to ICT systems for staff, students and parents

22. Manage the telephone system.

29. School wide support for all audio, television and video equipment.

30. Liaise with independent contractors to obtain quotes and oversee implementation of and required ICT related work.

31. Attend Management meetings as required

32. To help with support and maintenance of the school web site.

33. To demonstrate a willingness to work flexibly, sometimes outside of normal core hours, in response to service demands as agreed with the Headmistress or Senior Leadership Team.

34. To contribute to the ethos of the school, in all areas of contact and responsibility, in

relationships with staff and pupils. To work collaboratively with suppliers and external support providers to achieve the agreed aims of the school.

35. To support the school staff policies and procedures.

36. To carry out the above duties in accordance with the schools Equal Opportunities policies.

37. To perform such other tasks as may reasonably be required by the Headmistress or Senior Leadership Team

Pay - competitive, depending on experience

Experience: IT management: 2 years (required)

37. To perform such other tasks as may reasonably be required by the Headmistress or Senior Leadership Team

Pay - competitive, depending on experience

Experience: IT management: 2 years (required)