IT Manager
* Working hours - Full-time or Part-time, specific hours and working pattern to be discussed and agreed.
* Salary - Circa £49,400 Full Time Equivalent, dependent on experience
* Pension scheme - Local Government Pension Scheme
* Start Date - ASAP
* Contract terms - Permanent
* Location - Lilywhite House, adjoining Tottenham Hotspur Stadium (On-site role with some flexibility, particularly during school holiday periods)
Key responsibilities
This is an exciting hands-on role in a high-performing, prestigious and growing school, encompassing both operational and strategic elements.
The IT Manager is responsible for the management, security, and strategic development of the school’s IT infrastructure. They will oversee the maintenance of network systems, servers, and IT services to ensure reliability, security, and efficiency across the school. Working with the Operations Manager, Business Director, Senior IT Technician, and external providers, the Postholder will ensure that the school’s IT provision effectively supports both operational and educational needs.
This is a technical leadership role. The Postholder must possess strong hands-on expertise across core infrastructure, networking, and systems to ensure an IT provision which delivers on, and exceeds, user expectations and needs, alongside robust security and reliability.
Network & Infrastructure Management
- Maintain and develop the school’s IT infrastructure, including servers, networks, and cloud-based systems.
- Ensure network security and data protection compliance, including firewalls, backups, and cybersecurity measures.
- Monitor system performance, troubleshooting issues, and implementing improvements as required.
- Oversee the school’s wired and wireless networks, telephony, print services, and audio-visual/teaching technology systems, ensuring they meet operational needs.
- Develop and maintain IT policies and technical documentation to support effective governance and standardised practice.
- Develop and maintain an IT Risk Register to assist with identifying and mitigating issues before they arise.
Systems Administration & Support
- Manage the administration of key IT systems, including user access, permissions, and integrations. Act as the lead contact for defined systems, overseeing them at a high level to also include the delivery of training and troubleshooting.
- Ensure the effective operation of school-wide platforms such as Google Workspace and the MIS (e.g. Bromcom). Monitor and manage supplier performance to ensure SLA compliance and continuous improvement.
- Ensure systems support statutory safeguarding obligations, enabling timely and accurate escalation of concerns to the Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL).
- Act as the technical lead for filtering and monitoring for safeguarding purposes, ensuring effective systems are in place in-line with industry best practice, Department for Education guidelines and the standard set by the DSL.
- Lead on the procurement and implementation of new IT systems and system upgrades, ensuring minimal disruption to teaching and administration.
- Lead second- and third-line technical escalation, ensuring high-quality first-line support is delivered through the Senior IT Technician and IT & Facilities Assistant. Given the scale of the team, the Postholder will also provide first-line support when needed to maintain excellent service across the school.
Cybersecurity & Compliance
- Ensure IT security policies and procedures are produced, up-to-date and implemented effectively.
- Ensure compliance with DfE Cyber Security Standards and ongoing development of network architecture to meet evolving threats.
- Manage data protection compliance (GDPR), ensuring secure handling and storage of sensitive information.
- Build towards recognition through the most rigorous and sector appropriate Cyber Security certifications.
- Oversee regular security audits, backups, and disaster recovery procedures. Ensure IT business continuity procedures are well tested and refined.
- Conduct regular internal monitoring and phishing awareness campaigns to build a strong cyber-secure culture across staff and students.
Strategic Development & Digital Transformation
- Develop and implement a strategic plan for IT systems, ensuring they support the school’s long-term needs.
- Identify opportunities for digital transformation to improve operational efficiency and teaching effectiveness.
- Work collaboratively with the AI & Digital Skills Lead to support safe, effective adoption of AI tools in the classroom and operations.
- Work closely with department leaders, the Senior Team and providers of Educational Technology to research, propose and implement new solutions which offer improvements geared towards improving outcomes for young people and the customer service experience for users.
- Identify training needs of the IT team and where possible deliver internal training to upskill staff.
- Lead development of a roadmap for potential future growth of the IT function, including capacity planning and team structure.
Budget & Asset Management
- Oversee the IT budgets, ensuring cost-effective procurement and contract management.
- Lead vendor relationships, ensuring clear service level agreements and accountable performance management.
- Maintain an accurate asset register, ensuring effective lifecycle management of IT equipment.
Other responsibilities
- There may be occasions when attendance outside of your normal working hours is necessary to fulfil this role, therefore flexibility is required.
Professional criteria
- Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, or a related field is preferred.
- Relevant professional qualifications, particularly Microsoft (e.g. MCSA), VMWare and Aruba networking certifications, are highly desirable but not essential.
- Demonstrable hands-on technical ability across virtualisation, networking, and systems administration, supported by relevant industry experience and/or qualifications.
- Strong knowledge of cyber security principles and data protection regulations.
- Demonstrable success in leading IT improvements that directly enhance user experience and organisational outcomes.
- Experience in delivering hands-on IT support and systems administration in a high performing environment.
- Ability to lead and develop IT staff, ensuring high-quality service delivery.
- Strong problem-solving skills with a proactive and strategic mindset.
- Familiarity with educational technology tools and software commonly used in schools.
- Experience managing third-party suppliers and contractual SLAs.
LAE Tottenham offers a range of benefits to all directly-employed members of staff, including free breakfast and lunch and access to Benenden Health private healthcare.
We are actively working to close the gap in areas within the school that are currently underrepresented. To better reflect the diversity of Haringey, we especially encourage applications from within the Black community, as well as other members of our diverse community, to further enrich all aspects of our school.
LAE Tottenham is committed to the safeguarding and welfare of children and applicants must be willing to undergo child protection screening appropriate to this post, including checks with past employers and the Disclosure and Barring Service.
Please note that this role is ‘exempt’ from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and therefore, if shortlisted, you will be required to declare any convictions, cautions, reprimands and final warnings that are not ‘protected’ (i.e. filtered out) as defined by the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (as amended in 2013). It is an offence to apply for this role if you are barred from engaging in regulated activity relevant to children. Further information is available on the school's website.
(LAET will invite strong candidates to interview as applications come in throughout the designated advertisement period)