Job vacancy details

The Head of Digital Development will work alongside other members of the Trust’s leadership to shape and implement the Trust’s digital strategy. The strategy, and the way it is implemented, affects how everyone connected with the Trust works and learns. It includes developing the use of IT, building our digital know-how and judiciously integrating developments in artificial intelligence and other new technologies into the ways we teach, learn, and administer within the Trust. This role is aimed at enabling us all better to navigate this rapidly developing area. As such, it offers an exciting opportunity to influence education in one of the country’s leading sixth form Trusts.

 

The person appointed will work for both schools across the Trust and report to the Deputy CEO alongside other leaders whose roles span the Trust. The work will involve maintaining and upgrading systems and processes which are similar for the two schools when they can be, whilst respecting their differing requirements. This comes at a time when two new buildings are under construction, both of which will have IT specifications to oversee.

 

This job description reflects the dynamic nature of the field and the Trust. Even for this temporary post it will be important for the person we appoint and the Trust to provide for its periodic review as our priorities evolve. The postholder will have line management and budgetary responsibility for the IT team and will work particularly closely with the Head of MIS and Data and will have a specific role in mapping our data systems.

 

 

 

• Coordinate delivery of the Digital Development Plan, working with the IT team, the Head of MIS and Data and trust leaders to make sure agreed actions are carried out. Make sure investment in technology is aligned with the Digital Development Plan, prioritising spending where it will have most impact. Line manage the trust IT services manager, working with him to set priorities for ongoing improvements and project work in line with the digital development plan. Hold the IT budget, approving expenditure and reporting on it to the Deputy CEO. Oversee the equipping of the new Maths School and a new Woodhouse building including procurement oversight where needed.

 

• Facilitate stakeholder engagement and informed decision-making on the Trust’s Microsoft tenancy structure and cloud migration. Support the DPO with projects focused on mapping data practices and other matters relating to GDPR compliance within the trust.

 

• Oversee the responsible use of AI across the Trust, keeping practice in line with current guidance and policy, and develop proposals for its future use in teaching, operations and data analysis. Own the Trust’s digital and IT policies, keeping them current and reviewed on schedule, and oversee compliance across both sites. Lead the Trust’s cyber security work on behalf of the CEO, overseeing protective measures, incident response and risk management, and providing strategic reports to senior leaders and trustees. Identify and select opportunities for meaningfully integrating digital innovations in the curriculum, assessment and student support services.

 

• Stay abreast of the latest developments using digital technologies in education – both beneficial and problematic - and share relevant guidance with staff.

 

• Lead the rationalisation of the Trust’s virtual learning environment, consolidating existing platforms and content into a coherent student hub (or hubs) that makes the Trust’s systems easier to navigate. Design and deliver training programmes and ‘how to’ guides for teachers and students to develop their understanding and use of the Trust’s systems including SharePoint, Teams, the wider Microsoft environment and the use of AI.

 

• Design and run short courses to meet any more specific training needs identified for groups of staff.

 

• Work with leaders to continue embedding the Trust’s agreed approach to AI misuse, in line with JCQ guidance. Work with teachers and tutors to build their expertise for creating useful digital content and tools to enhance learning.

 

• Foster collaborations with external organisations, industry experts, and other educational institutions to stay connected with best practices and future developments in the use of IT in education.

 

• Keep up to date on both technological developments and organisational requirements to ensure compliance and risk minimisation in relation to this work.

 

• Undertake any other reasonable duties as directed to support the Trust.