The King Edward VI Foundation, Birmingham, is a progressive charitable organisation which has supported excellence in education across the City since 1552. Our schools are diverse in nature but have a common purpose and commitment to achieving our mission of "making Birmingham the best place to be educated in the UK".
The King Edward VI Academy Trust Birmingham ("the Academy Trust") was established in 2017 and currently consists of two independent schools, six selective, and six nonselective academies.
The Foundation Office provides back office central support services, including People & Systems to the Academy Trust.
The Head of Digital Operations plays a pivotal role in ensuring the effective operational delivery of digital systems and services across the organisation. Reporting to the Director of Digital, Data and Transformation, the post holder will lead the operational team, manage day-to-day digital functions, and drive improvements in service delivery standards.
This includes overseeing strategic projects such as the SCEP migration, intranet development, and digital infrastructure enhancements. The role demands strong leadership, compliance oversight, and a commitment to continuous improvement, ensuring alignment with statutory obligations and organisational goals.
The Head of Digital Operations will also contribute to shaping the future of digital operations within the evolving DDaT Central Structure.
As a central support service, our working model must be driven by the needs of our schools. Therefore, please be aware that staff are required to take the majority of annual leave during non-term time.
We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive sufficient applications for the role. Therefore, if you are interested, please submit your application as early as possible.
1. Operational Leadership
* Line manage the Digital and Technology Manager – M365, SCEP Implementation Manager and Microsoft Adoption Lead.
* Oversee day-to-day digital operations, ensuring efficient service delivery and freeing strategic capacity for Director of Digital, Data and Transformation.
* Lead the development and operational management of the Foundation's intranet.
* Manage the operational delivery of digital projects across the organisation, such as the SCEP.
* Ensure consistent adoption of technical policies and procedures across all schools.
* Provide mentoring and coaching to team members to foster professional growth and enhance performance.
* Act as the key contact for operational matters, maintaining strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
* Project Oversight
* Lead the migration of schools to the SCEP, including planning, execution, stakeholder engagement and supplier management.
* Support the finalisation and costing of the relevant strategic priorities including those focused on digital unification (EP5), data (EP6), and AI (EP7).
* Evaluate and improve digital infrastructure across all schools.
* Manage all operational projects using appropriate tools to ensure effective monitoring and reporting.
* Reporting and Communication
* Prepare clear, jargon-free reports and papers to support cases for change, project updates, and proposals for the DDaT Steering Group and People and Systems Advisory Group.
* Communicate technical subject matter effectively to a range of audiences using appropriate language and methods.
* Team Development
* Provide mentoring and coaching to team members to foster professional growth and enhance performance.
* Deploy staff effectively to meet departmental and organisational objectives.
5. Strategic Contribution
* Support the Director of Digital, Data and Transformation in achieving departmental goals.
* Engage in independent research to keep the department at the forefront of digital innovation.
6. Compliance and Risk Management
* Ensure compliance with GDPR, NCSC guidance, and the DfE Academies Trust Handbook.
* Review and update digital policies, control attestations, and risk registers.
* Identify opportunities to standardise and simplify digital operations across the organisation.
7. Stakeholder management and engagement
· Consult and provide advice to headteachers and senior teams as required, listening to views and explaining decisions and courses of action.
The post holder will be required to attend meetings (including evenings) and to travel off-site.
This job description reflects the current requirements of the post. As duties and responsibilities change and develop due to changes in organisational and other circumstances, so the actual duties and responsibilities will vary from the particulars of this job description. Job descriptions will be updated or amended from time to time to reflect such changes.
General responsibilities and duties
* To develop a clear understanding of the Foundation's vision, mission and strategic aims and to actively support these.
* To remain up to date with the Foundation's policies, procedures and code of conduct and always uphold these.
* To remain committed to the safeguarding of all of our students.
* To identify and undertake relevant training to enable continuing professional development, where resources allow.
* To prepare for and proactively engage in the performance review cycle with your line manager.
* To attend appropriate internal and external meetings, as directed by your line manager.
* To undertake such other duties as are agreed as being in keeping with the general nature of the job and its grade.
The post holder may be required to occasionally travel off-site and occasionally work some evenings. The successful candidate will be required to fulfil an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check.
This job description reflects the current requirements of the post. As duties and responsibilities change and develop due to changes in organisational and other circumstances, so the actual duties and responsibilities will vary from the particulars of this job description. Job descriptions will be updated or amended from time to time to reflect such changes.
Person Specification
Knowledge and experience
Essential
* Significant experience delivering strategic digital and technology projects to desired outcomes, on time and to budget from shaping the strategy to programme implementation
* Significant experience working in a fast-paced project management environment
* Knowledge of and experience in successfully applying recognised project management methodologies
* Experience setting strategic objectives and evaluating performance against these
* Experience of leading and managing a diverse team
* Board and Executive level stakeholder management to shape strategy, secure agreement on a programme of work and successful implementation
* Commercial experience in negotiating with and management of third parties to generate best value for money
* MS environment experience
Desirable
* Experience of working in an education environment
Qualifications
Essential
* Qualified to degree level or equivalent with significant post qualification experience and in-depth professional knowledge acquired through experience.
* Evidence of continuing relevant professional and personal development
Desirable
* Prince2 Foundation and/or Practitioner qualification
* Postgraduate or equivalent qualification
Competencies
Leader
* · High expectations for all
* · Collaborative spirit
* · Vision
* · Integrity
* · Openness to learn
*
* Leading
* · Shaping the future
* · Unlocking potential
* · Ensuring impact
* · Creating collective efficacy
* · Contributing to Birmingham and beyond
*
* General
* · Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with experience presenting to senior stakeholders
* · Strong attention to detail and analytical ability, including effective budget management
* · Skilled at building relationships and working collaboratively across teams
* · Influential, credible, and calm under pressure, with strong negotiating skills
* · Self-motivated, able to prioritise and plan effectively, and work methodically under pressure
* · Committed to safeguarding, equality, diversity, and the Foundation's mission and values
The Schools of King Edward VI in Birmingham is an educational charity supporting twelve academies and is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Applicants will be required to undergo child protection screening appropriate to the post, including checks with past employers and the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS).
A full job description and an application pack for this post, can be found at:
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: Up to £58,000.00 per year
Benefits:
* Company pension
* Cycle to work scheme
* Free parking
* On-site gym
* On-site parking
* Work from home
Work Location: Hybrid remote in Birmingham B15 2UD