Cluster IT Technical specialist

Are you passionate about technology and eager to make a significant impact in the education sector? Are you someone currently working in education, similar to a Network Manager position and looking to take the next step in your career?

Why not join our dynamic IT Service team supporting 11 academies as part of the United Learning Trust across the Greater Manchester region.

This is a field-based role which supports schools’ local IT staff with technology projects and problem solving. Some key responsibilities include:

·      Helping support local IT teams with technically challenging issues or medium-scale projects, including their procurement.

·      Working with Service Managers to carry out technical audits of key systems and processes, to identify threats to a school’s effective operations and resolving areas of concern.

·      Providing Level 2 / 3 escalation support to local IT.

·      Supporting and challenging local IT and school management to implement any necessary changes to address identified problems.

·      Providing input to IT estate refresh planning, allowing the school to budget to sustain a highly effective technology infrastructure.

·      Giving advice and training to local IT staff, to develop the school’s capacity.

·      Offering additional short-term expert capacity in times of crisis.

This is more than just a technical position. It is an opportunity to lead, innovate and inspire. You will provide expert-level support and ensure the integrity and security of IT systems across our academies. With a proactive, flexible and facilitative approach, you will uphold high standards of service, develop effective working relationships and contribute to the continuous improvement of the IT service. If you possess detailed knowledge of networking, server systems, Microsoft 365, Azure and InTune, with a strong commitment to professional integrity and a can-do mindset, we invite you to apply and help us continue to drive excellence in education through technology.

United Learning is currently the largest academy sponsor in England. Our ethos is the best in everyone and as a group, we aim to provide a life changing education to children and young people throughout the country. The Greater Manchester IT service is currently made up of 11 academies that provides support to over 8,500 users across wide ranging and diverse communities.

The position is full time (37.5 hours per week), all year round.  Although the role has predominantly fixed working hours, it may involve, where the business requires, both evening and weekend work.  The role holder will therefore need to demonstrate a degree of flexibility and willingness to work unsociable hours if called upon.  It is expected that the post holder will adapt their working hours around the business needs of the academy and IT service. The post comes with 25 days holiday entitlement in addition to Bank Holidays and the successful candidate will be enrolled automatically into the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) run by Greater Manchester Pension Fund (GMPF).

We will offer you:

·       Excellent facilities and resources.

·       A respectful working environment.

·       Supportive, friendly colleagues who are committed to each other’s professional development.

·       A chance to become part of United Learning, one of the largest groups of academies in the country.

·       Opportunities to work collaboratively with colleagues in each academy, across the Cluster and United Learning.

·       Excellent employee benefits which include a highly sought-after pension scheme with high employer contributions.

·       Access to training through the Apprenticeship Levy.

·       Online technical training platform with the opportunity to take industry recognised examinations

·       Perkbox benefits platform.

·       Access to an Employee Assistance Programme (EAP).

·       We encourage open and regular conversations about work-life balance.

For more information or a confidential discussion about this role, please contact Mark Davies (mark.davies@unitedlearning.org.uk), Greater Manchester IT Service Manager

Closing date:    Wednesday 4th September 2024        Interviews:          TBC

Our schools are fully committed to the safeguarding of children and all staff will be subject to an enhanced DBS disclosure and full child protection/safeguarding training. United Learning is an equal opportunities employer.