Head of IT
The Good Shepherd Trust, Guildford, GU1 1JY8 days remaining to apply
Start date details
ASAP
Closing date
27 April 2026 at 12:59am
Date listed
30 March 2026
Job details
Job role
- IT support
Visa sponsorship
- Visas cannot be sponsored
Working pattern
- Full time
Contract type
- Permanent
Full-time equivalent salary
- £52,024.00 - £58,025.00 Annually (Actual) GST Grade J
Head of IT job summary
Job Title: Head of IT
Location: Central Trust Office, Guildford (with flexibility for homeworking by agreement)
Grade/Salary: GST Grade J £52,024 - £58,025
Hours: 36 hours per week, all year round
Contract Type: Permanent
Reporting to: Chief Financial Operating Officer (CFOO)
Responsible for: Internal IT staff (2) and External IT provider
Driving licence required
Purpose of the Role
The Head of IT is a senior leadership role within the Trust’s Central Team and plays a key role in advising the Executive Team on digital strategy, cyber security, and technology-related risk.
We are seeking an experienced IT leader with a proven track record of leading, managing and developing IT systems and infrastructure across a Multi-Academy Trust or similar large-scale organisation. This is a strategic leadership role with the opportunity to build, shape and scale a high-quality digital service. We have a mission to operate a forward thinking, modern IT infrastructure to support over 6,000 students and 1,000 staff.
The successful candidate will possess extensive knowledge of IT infrastructure, including system management, cybersecurity, and the delivery of major IT projects. You will be up to date with current and emerging best practices and have the ability to adapt and respond to the changing needs of the business.
As Head of IT, you will be responsible for developing and leading our IT strategy, ensuring that our systems and services support our academies effectively and securely. You will work closely with IT partners and teams across our Trust, providing leadership and direction to ensure that all academies benefit from the highest standards of technology and support.
The postholder will operate at a strategic level, providing assurance, oversight and leadership rather than day‑to‑day operational IT support. The role carries significant responsibility for business continuity, cyber security, data protection and the effective delivery of Trust-wide digital services.
Key Responsibilities
Leadership & Management
Provide strategic leadership for IT across the Trust, ensuring technology supports educational delivery, operational effectiveness and long-term sustainability
Act as the Trust’s senior professional lead for IT, cyber security and digital infrastructure
Provide expert advice to the Executive Team on IT risk, investment, resilience and compliance
Line manage employed IT staff across the Trust, setting clear objectives, performance standards and development plans
Lead and manage relationships with third-party IT providers, holding them to account for service quality, performance and value for money
Establish clear governance, escalation routes and decision-making frameworks for IT-related issues IT Services
Provide strategic oversight and assurance of the Trust’s IT services, ensuring systems are reliable, secure, scalable and aligned to Trust priorities.
Oversee the planning, development and performance of the Trust’s IT services, ensuring they meet agreed standards and service levels
Provide assurance over network, infrastructure and telecommunications resilience, capacity and future planning
Monitor third-party service performance, including ticket resolution, SLA compliance and customer satisfaction, intervening where necessary
Lead the development and delivery of the Trust’s upgrade, maintenance and replacement programmes
Ensure IT provision across schools is consistent, fit for purpose and supports staff onboarding, offboarding and system access control
Act as senior incident lead for major IT incidents, ensuring effective response, communication and post incident review
Support digital approaches to teaching and learning, including remote access, integrated systems and secure data sharing
Finance/Contracts
Manage the Trust’s IT budget, ensuring compliance with Trust policies and Academies Handbook
Undertake appropriate and effective procurement of the provision of supplies and services
Work with external contractors/providers to ensure that the Trust obtains best value for money
Manage all IT related contracts and ensure that a register of software and hardware is maintained
Ensure IT investment decisions align with the Trust’s strategic priorities, risk appetite and long-term digital roadmap
Drive standardisation and rationalisation of systems where appropriate to improve efficiency and reduce technical debt
Cyber Security
Act as the Trust’s senior lead for cyber security and information security
Ensure robust cyber security controls are in place and consistently applied across the Trust
Lead the Trust’s response to cyber incidents, including coordination with external specialists, insurers and regulators where required
Maintain oversight of cyber risk, including contribution to the Trust risk register and business continuity planning
Provide clear guidance and assurance to leaders and staff on cyber security responsibilities and safe working practices
Policy & Trust Development
Lead the development, implementation and regular review of Trust-wide IT and digital policies
Maintain awareness of relevant legislation, statutory guidance and sector best practice, advising the Executive Team accordingly
Contribute to the ongoing development of central Trust services and cross-Trust improvement initiatives
Lead or support strategic projects as directed by the Executive Team
Person Specification (D - Desirable, E - Essential)
Qualifications / Experience
NVQ Level 5 IT based qualification or equivalent professional experience (E)
Professional service management or project management qualification (D)
Evidence of on-going professional leadership development (D)
Experience working in an education or multi academy trust environment (D)
Minimum of 4 years’ experience in managing the IT function in a user centric setting (E)
Experience of leading IT services in a multi-site or complex organisation (E)
Experience of managing outsourced or hybrid IT service models (D)
Knowledge & Skills
In depth knowledge of managing and supporting a Microsoft 365 end user environment (E)
In depth knowledge and experience with supporting SharePoint (E)
Ability to manage a varied workload, prioritise effectively and meet deadlines (E)
Ability to follow established processes while applying professional judgement (E)
Ability to manage the long-term roadmap for WAN/LAN infrastructure in multi-site environments to published Government standards (E)
Ability to undertake strategic planning including prioritisation of different goals to meet budget constraints (E)
Ability to manage budgets, undertake robust procurement and secure good value for money contracts (E)
Ability to foster good working relationships with suppliers and other service providers (E)
Proactive, organised and willing to learn and develop (E)
Strong communication skills, both written and verbal, including the ability to ‘explain and train’ (E)
Ability to translate complex technical issues and risk into clear, practical advice for non-technical stakeholders (E)
Strong strategic planning, change management and stakeholder engagement skills (E)
Personal Attributes
Able to seek out information, advice and guidance when required (E)
High-level interpersonal skills, sense of humour, and ability to communicate effectively with a wide range of stakeholders (E)
Able to operate to the highest standards of personal/professional conduct and integrity (E)
Excellent analytical skills in order to analyse complex data and information and use this to monitor and support activities and promote solutions (E)
The ability to remain calm under pressure and meet deadlines (E)
Think laterally and instigate new ideas and approaches (E)
A willingness, where necessary, to support/coach colleagues (E)
Flexible in terms of working hours and duties (E)
A commitment to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people (E)
Safeguarding
The Good Shepherd Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. We ensure that all our employment practices reflect this commitment. All appointments are made subject to an enhanced DBS clearance (Disclosure and Barring Service), satisfactory references and qualification checks. The postholder will be required to safeguard and promote the welfare of children and young people and follow Trust policies and the staff code of conduct.
Further information about the job
Commitment to safeguarding
The Good Shepherd Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. We ensure that all our employment practices reflect this commitment. All appointments are made subject to an enhanced DBS clearance (Disclosure and Barring Service), satisfactory references and qualification checks.
Applying for the job
This school accepts applications through their own website, where you may also find more information about this job.
CVs will not be accepted for this application.
View advert on external website (opens in new tab)About The Good Shepherd Trust
- Type
- Multi-academy trust
Welcome from the CEO - Paul Kennedy
A very warm welcome to the Good Shepherd Trust (GST) and thank you for taking the time to visit our website. I joined the GST as CEO in February 2020 having spent over twenty-five years in education as a teacher, leader, headteacher and trust CEO. This is an exciting time for the GST as we further develop and strengthen our network of schools.
The GST is a multi-academy trust serving 18 schools within the Diocese of Guildford across Surrey and Hampshire. Our trust comprises both primary and secondary schools, schools affiliated to the Church of England and others who are not. Our purpose is to grow and maintain a strong network of schools within a highly supportive and sharing network: we know that schools are better when they work together sharing common values and goals. Opportunities for staff development are a key priority for us - as a member of support staff, as a teacher, as a head teacher or as a local committee member you will have access to wide and varied professional development.
But at the heart of what we do are the children and young people within our schools. GST schools are first and foremost highly inclusive settings where we strive to see each child flourish and grow, transforming lives and offering breadth and richness in each school’s individual curriculum. We also seek to fulfil the Church of England’s vision for education providing schools for the entire community we serve, for people of all faiths and none.
Our mission is drawn from the words of Jesus in John’s Gospel – ‘I have come that you may have life and have it to the full.’ It is in this context that Jesus reveals to us the wonderful image of himself, The Good Shepherd who shows us how to live, to love and serve others whilst we experience the richness of life in its fullness.
Whether you are a parent, teacher, leader or prospective member of a local committee or a Trustee, please get in touch if you would like to know more about the GST.
With best wishes,
Paul Kennedy
Chief Executive Officer
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