IT Platform and Support Manager

The Bishop Fraser Trust

IT Platform and Support Manager

Grade I SCP 31– 35

£39,186 - £43,421

(excludes a pending Pay Award TBC - Effective April 2024)

37 Hours Per Week

All Year Round

Permanent

Required ASAP

Applications will only be accepted on completion of a school application form. To apply, please email recruitment@thebishopfrasertrust.co.uk to request an application form – Please do not send CV’s as they will not be considered.

Are you looking for your next challenge? After great experience and career development? Want to make a difference to children and society rather than the profits of a private firm?

Read on!

The Bishop Fraser Trust is a family of four secondary and two primary schools across Bolton and Bury in Greater Manchester. The schools benefit from being very close together, so we all know each other well and enjoy each other’s commonalities and differences.

We are at a really exciting phase in our IT strategy. We want to move our schools onto a central system, so that our staff can more easily, share their resources and communicate even more effectively. In doing this, we also need to make sure the day to day operational IT running of our schools remains steady. Our Headteachers and staff at Bishop Fraser are innovative, they are also keen to trial and explore new technologies – so you could also play a part in developing our approach to teaching and learning through technologies.

We are fortunate to have a team of great IT professionals with a diverse skill set, so in terms of your own training and development, we will have you covered! What we are really looking for is someone who is keen to make a difference, is keen to develop and enjoy their work and to help us achieve our mission to provide ‘Life In All Its Fullness’ for all our communities. If this sounds like you, we’d love for you to get in touch.

The Trust IT Platform and Support Manager is a critical role within the trust, responsible for overseeing the delivery of IT services and support across all school and trust sites. This position focuses on enhancing user satisfaction and operational efficiency through innovative IT service management practices and cloud computing technologies.

Main Duties:

• Cloud Strategy Implementation and Innovation: Lead the transition to a cloud-first approach, developing and executing a cloud migration plan and managing hybrid cloud environments. You'll stay ahead of industry trends, ensuring our cloud solutions align with security policies and operational goals.
• Support Management: Oversee the centralised support team and IT service desk, standardising support processes and utilising IT service management software. You'll handle complex issues, maintain an IT service catalogue, and drive improvements through service level agreements (SLAs) and performance data analysis.
• Stakeholder and User Engagement: Act as the primary liaison with stakeholders, gather feedback, and communicate IT initiatives effectively. You'll build strong relationships with users, organise training sessions, and implement self-service tools to enhance the user experience.
• Technical Leadership and Collaboration: Collaborate with IT leadership to develop and implement digital strategies, manage IT projects across multiple sites, and coordinate with vendors and external partners to achieve strategic objectives.
• Process Improvement: Continuously refine IT service processes using methodologies like ITIL or Lean, implement automation tools, and ensure standardised procedures for consistent and high-quality service delivery.
• Resource and Vendor Management: Lead the IT service team, manage resources, and develop the IT services budget. You'll also oversee vendor relationships, negotiate contracts, and ensure expenditures align with financial goals.
• Documentation and Reporting: Maintain comprehensive documentation for cloud infrastructure and IT services, produce regular performance reports, and develop a knowledge base for IT staff.

We are seeking an individual who:

• Is a great team player, friendly, and professional
• Has knowledge of operating systems, including windows operating systems, networking, hardware and software commonly used in schools
• Enjoys working as part of a team and being able to communicate effectively with pupils, parents and staff
• Is confident in liaising with a variety of staff at all levels
• Has excellent customer service skills
• Demonstrates personal resilience and role models those personal qualities we wish to instil in our young people
• Has the ability and willingness to work flexibly to meet the demands of the role
• Has excellent interpersonal and communication skills, able to form positive, professional and empathetic relationships with colleagues and students

Hours of Work:

8:00 am – 4:00 pm Monday to Thursday and 8:00 am to 3:30 pm Fridays.

In return we can offer:

• A supportive induction programme and have access to high quality CPD.
• Consistent support from a dedicated CEO, Trustees, central trust team and Head Teachers
• A paid premium to a Healthcare Cash Plan to claim back contributions towards dental, optical and other medical costs
• 24/7 access to an Employee Assistance Programme
• Fantastic facilities
• Access to a generous pension scheme

Application information:

For more information, or for an informal chat about the role, please email recruitment@thebishopfrasertrust.co.uk and we will organise this on your behalf.

To apply please complete the application form, ensuring that you show how you meet items on the person specification and explaining why you are applying for this post. Please also include in your application why you want to work in our Trust, why you are the best candidate for this post and what you would contribute to our Trust and schools, with examples from your recent work if possible.

The Bishop Fraser Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. This post is subject to child protection screening including an enhanced disclosure from the Disclosure and Barring Service and also past employment checks. We are an equal opportunities employer. References will be sought prior to interview.

Closing date: Monday 12th August 2024 @ 9.00am

Interviews: Monday 19th August 2024