Job Description

It is an exciting time to be engaged in IT in a school environment! Developing a digital strategy to support learning and prepare young people for a future rooted in technology is a key role in schools. The Network Manager will be responsible for proactively developing and maintaining the school's ICT provision through managing the operational service and developing strategies to ensure the ICT network and infrastructure are stable, maintained, up-to-date, robust, and fit for purpose in an ever changing world. If you have the skills and experience to build constructive relationships and work proactively with all members of our school community, this opportunity could be perfect for you. The successful applicant will join a talented, friendly and hardworking staff team. Our school is located in a diverse area of the city and we are proud of our multi-cultural student and staff body.

Network Manager - supporting Digital Strategy and Infrastructure

Working Time:

7.45am- 3.30pm Monday to Friday - Full Time

Grade: NJC7/8 pt 30-40 (dependent on experience)

Disclosure Level: DBS Enhanced

Line Manager: SLT

The post holder is required to support and encourage the school's Christian ethos and its objectives, policies and procedures as detailed in the current Staff Handbook and Policy File. This also includes commitment to the life of the school and policies integral to the School.

Main Purpose of Role

A leading role, working at the heart of the school, collaboratively and proactively. Leading the full integration of Microsoft 365 so that staff and students are able to fully utilise all available applications. Fulfilling the network management and support role by proactively developing and maintaining the ICT service. The Network Manager will work on ICT projects, developing the use of ICT services and proactively exploring potential new developments. Input into educational plans and strategies for using ICT for teaching and learning. The post holder will manage and maintain an operational service, including the ICT technician, ensuring functionality and security are always maintained. Work professionally and autonomously as required.

Responsibilities - Key tasks and duties

1. Network management, stability, and performance

a) Ensure the ICT network and infrastructure are stable, maintained, up-to-date, robust, and fit for purpose.

b) Work with the Headteacher and senior leadership team to ensure that the network enables all staff to have confidence in technology and to walk into any of the school's classrooms and begin using ICT without hesitation or worry.

c) Ensure servers are maintained and upgraded to high specifications.

d) Maintaining the School Emergency Response plan, strategic plan, change management and records.

2. Support

a) Manage the operational delivery of day-to-day IT processes to ensure a robust and consistent service, troubleshooting service issues when they arise.

b) Participate in training and development activities as discussed with SLT and take responsibility for personal and team training and development

c) Oversee the Help Desk function.

d) Continually review and develop good working practices and service standards of ICT services.

e) Continually review, develop, and deliver improvements to ICT service operations.

f) Ensure all software is correctly licenced and stored securely.

g) Responsible for specific software and annual hardware upgrades, minimising downtime.

h) Oversee ICT inventory management, ensuring the upkeep and maintenance of records.

i) Represent the school at external forums, interacting with other professionals and institutions to share and develop good and outstanding practices.

j) Liaise with external suppliers, etc., as required.

3. Teaching and Learning

a) Embed cloud strategy and the use of the learning platforms.

b) Maximise the use of devices and how they will be used, depending on subjects and learning.

c) Support and foster teacher confidence in utilising device technology in their classrooms,

helping to integrate IT tools into every subject, contributing to staff training, and helping to

make sure that the device strategy vision is sustainable.

4. Project Management

a) Work with SLT to develop and deliver innovative ICT strategies to support the development and growth of the organisation.

b) Continually review, explore, evaluate, and promote operational improvements to providing ICT infrastructure, hardware, software, and services.

c) Responsible for school-based projects, overseeing the work as directed by SLT.

d) User acceptance testing of new systems.

5. Supervision

a) Responsible for overseeing the operational delivery of day-to-day ICT processes to ensure a robust and consistent service.

b) Oversee ICT technical staff CPD, appraisal and training and development.

c) Have a good overview of the support the technical staff provides to pupils and staff using ICT equipment and networks to prioritise people resource allocation and training.

d) Delegate and allocate specific responsibilities and duties to the technical staff to manage and maintain the operational service.

e) Coach colleagues in effective planning, sharing, and developing good practice, and ensuring consistency of approach in delivering against approved objectives.

f) Train others in areas of professional expertise associated with the post holder's substantive role.

6. ICT Budget and Finance

a) Responsibility for a school ICT budget and specific school-based project budgets, dealing with fluctuations and priorities.

b) Oversee a rolling programme of updating resources and determining equipment, hardware and software replacement programmes.

c) Work with SLT to ensure contracts are fit for purpose, financially viable, and value for money. Negotiate with suppliers.

d) Contribute to ICT tender purchases for the purchase of ICT-related equipment and contracts, working with the Business Manager to ensure the correct procedures are followed.

7. Safeguarding

a) Responsible for implementing monitoring systems with the highest standards of web filtering, giving confidence that safeguarding, pupil online safety, and cyber risks to the network are mitigated and reduced as far as possible.

b) Ensuring the ICT team are fully trained in their specific role in safeguarding through ICT in the school.

c) Working with colleagues to ensure that procedures are supported by ICT functions and appropriate software (e.g., CCTV, net support, lockdown processes, site security, including IT).

8. Back-ups and Disaster Recovery, Data Protection

a) Ensure school backup procedures are undertaken and operating effectively, including overseeing business continuity/ disaster recovery tests.

b) Backing up servers (files, folders), maintaining and checking server recovery (in case of failure)

d) Manage security for files and folders for users and groups on-premise and in Microsoft.

e) Support School Data Protection/GDPR processes.

f) Process data retention protocols in line with policy, i.e., delete records/files, and provide reports on data disposal.

g) Cyber essentials - follow school protocols.

h) Phishing Emails - follow school protocols.

9. General Duties

a) Proactively promote and comply with safeguarding / child protection in all areas of responsibility.

b) Understand the importance of inclusion, equality and diversity and promote equal opportunities for all.

c) Uphold and promote the values and ethos of the school.

d) Implement and uphold all school policies, procedures and codes of practice.

e) Follow the health and safety policy and be aware of your responsibility for personal health and safety and that of others. Report any hazards and actively contribute to the security of the school.

f) Participate fully in staff training and development opportunities, including attendance at staff meetings and work to continually improve own and team performance, sharing skills and expertise with others as required.

g) Stay abreast of new technology, make suggestions for improvement and assist in reviewing and improving operational procedures as required.

h) Support school events outside of normal working hours on occasion

i) Undertake any other additional duties commensurate with the grade of the post.

NOTES

Whilst every effort has been made to explain the main duties and responsibilities of the post, each individual task undertaken many not be identified.

Employees will be expected to comply with any reasonable request from a manager to undertake work of a similar level that is not specified in this job description.

Employees are expected to be courteous to colleagues and provide a welcoming environment to visitors and telephone callers.

The school will endeavour to make any necessary reasonable adjustment to the job and the working environment to enable access to employment opportunities for disabled job applicants or continued employment for any employee who develops a disabling condition.

The responsibilities for this post are subject to the general duties and responsibilities contained in The Statement of Conditions of Employment.

This job description allocates duties and responsibilities but does not direct the particular amount of time to be spent on carrying them out and no part of it may be so constructed. In allocating time to the performance of duties and responsibilities, the post holder must use Directed Time in accordance with the school's published Time Budget Policy

This job description is current at the date shown but following consultation with you, may be changed by Leadership to reflect or anticipate changes in the job which are commensurate with the salary and job title.

Network Manager - Person Specification

Person Specification

Qualifications

Professional qualification and

Excellent literacy and numeracy skills

Experience

A minimum of 2 years professional experience in an associated area

Experience in using IT systems, including Windows client/server operating systems

A solid technical background with experience in managing complex IT systems

Experience in managing a team

Experience of working in a fast paced and demanding environment

Experience working in a school or similar environment

Experience in managing projects and change projects

Skills and Abilities

Excellent planning and organisational skills

Excellent analytical skills, attention to detail and a practical approach to problem-solving

Ability to establish and work to agreed priorities, meet deadlines, deal with conflicting demands, and deliver accurate results on time

Ability to communicate with people at all levels on an individual, group and committee basis and play a variety of team and project roles

Ability to give and receive clear instructions, both written and oral

Understanding and ability to manage budgets

Ability to evaluate, assess and formulate improvements to current working practices.

Ability to lead and develop staff in a technical environment

Proactive self-starter capable of instigating and leading change

Implementation and management experience of Microsoft Server environments, Active Directory and Microsoft 365.

Experience with Microsoft Endpoint Configuration Manager

Working knowledge of data management systems - integrations and connections

Ability to assess and utilise software applications in planning, analysing, and manipulating data.

Knowledge of the most current technologies for ICT, including the latest Windows operating systems and Microsoft Office packages

Working knowledge of website hosting

Excellent understanding of GDPR, data protection and ICT implications

Personal

Ability to work with confidential information where discretion is paramount.

Positive, open, and friendly attitude to service improvement and delivery

A commitment to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people.

A commitment to equal opportunities.

A willingness to participate in professional development

Enhanced DBS Disclosure

Flexibility with working hours and ability to cope with a wide range of tasks in a busy and changing environment

Works with honesty and integrity and is committed to maintaining the ethos of the School

Ability to remain calm under pressure with a polite and professional approach

Job Types: Full-time, Permanent

Pay: 39,513.00-49,764.00 per year

Benefits:

Company pension Free parking Health & wellbeing programme On-site parking Sick pay
Schedule:

Monday to Friday
Education:

GCSE or equivalent (required)
Experience:

Technical support: 2 years (required)
Work authorisation:

United Kingdom (required)
Work Location: In person

Application deadline: 15/11/2024
Reference ID: School Network Manager