Join Our Team: Director of IT
Location: Central offices and various trust school sites as required.
Salary: £55-60k dependent upon experience
Contract Type: Full-time, Permanent
Closing Date: 21st October 2025
Start Date: As soon as possible
Overview:
Shires Multi Academy Trust is seeking a dynamic, skilled and strategic Director of IT to lead and shape our IT Vision, provision and strategy across our family of academies. This is a pivotal role that blends strategic IT leadership with hands-on support, ensuring our schools feel supported every step of the way.
This is an exciting new senior role for the Shires MAT, as our Director of IT you will be joining our trust at the commencement of our centralised managed IT service. You will play a lead role in strategically shaping the way in which the new service operates to ensure its effectiveness. Reporting to the Chief Operations Officer, you will work within the central operations team and be the strategic lead for IT, digital, information and infrastructure development. The Trust is growing with 5 new schools joining within the next 3 months, taking our total sites to 11. The successful candidate must be willing to travel as required across the schools. It is essential that the candidate has the relevant qualifications together with previous proven experience of strategically planning, implementing and managing the IT infrastructure across multiple sites. In addition, you must have outstanding interpersonal skills and the experience to successfully monitor performance and ensure continuity of service to support teaching and learning and business continuity. The successful candidate will contribute to the setup of the new structure including recruitment of in house technicians.
There has never been a more exciting time to join Shires MAT, our Trust has an excellent team of talented staff. We are an ambitious Trust with a growth plan that will see significant expansion in the coming years and we are now looking to the future and the next stage of our development. We are looking for an inspirational leader to come on this journey with us and has the drive and determination to take us to the next level.
About the Role
Reporting directly to the COO, you'll be the go-to expert for IT across the Trust. From the creation of our IT support offer to digital strategy and infrastructure development, you'll be instrumental in fostering a positive and collaborative working environment.
Key Responsibilities
* Create, implement and lead the day-to-day It service delivery across the Shires MAT
* Manage and co-ordinate the IT services team
* Ensure compliance with data protection, IT security policies and DfE digital standards
* Ensure the IT service delivers timely, user focused support through effective leadership and monitoring of KPI's
* Plan, develop and deliver the IT Vision and strategy.
About You
You're a confident communicator, a natural relationship-builder, and a trusted advisor. You bring:
* Proven experience in a senior IT Management or leadership role
* Strong understanding of IT Service delivery, helpdesk operations and infrastructure management
* Knowledge of cybersecurity principles, data protection regulations and compliance frameworks
* A collaborative leader who can motivate and support teams while maintaining high standards
* Relevant qualifications in line with the person specification
Why Join Us?
At Shires MAT, we believe in nurturing talent and creating a workplace where everyone thrives. You'll be part of a forward-thinking Trust that values innovation, wellbeing, and professional growth.
Application Process:
If you would like to apply for this position, please read the full recruitment pack along with job description and person spec attached.
To apply, please send your completed application form, along with a two-page covering letter clearly demonstrating how you meet the requirements set out in the Person Specification, to Kirsty Anthony (COO) at Early applications are welcome. Please note we do not accept CV's.
* Closing Date for Applications: 21st October 2025 at 12pm
* Interviews: 6th/7th November
For further information and to download the application form, please visit our website: Vacancies | Shires MAT.
If you would like further information, please email Kirsty Anthony who will be happy to organise a telephone call to discuss the role and the immediate priorities.
Job Types: Full-time, Permanent
Pay: £55,000.00-£60,000.00 per year
Benefits:
* Company pension
* Free parking
* On-site parking
Work Location: In person