JOB DESCRIPTION

Salary: Competitive
Hours: Full-time, onsite, all year round
Reporting to: Chief Financial and Operating Officer (CFOO)
Based: HLA Head Office in Horsham (with some travel to schools in the Trust)

Job role

This is an exciting opportunity to join a newly formed Trust, currently comprising nearly 4,000 students aged 11-18 and around 450 staff. As a member of the Trust Professional Services Team, the Digital Director is accountable to the CEO through the Chief Financial and Operating Officer (CFOO). The Digital Director will lead on the development of the Trust’s Digital Strategy, providing strategic leadership and technical expertise, alongside leadership and management of the Trust’s IT teams. The Digital Director will ensure that digital technology supports the delivery of the Trust’s vision, values, and strategic objectives, driving continual improvement and enhancing all digital services and infrastructure through an effective and innovative Digital Strategy, enabling the Trust to grow and transform.

Key relationships

The Digital Director will work closely with the CFOO and Trust Professional Services leads, as well as occasional reporting to the Board and local governing bodies.

The Digital Director will lead, shape and manage the IT teams across the Trust, and will work alongside teaching and support colleagues to develop digital innovations.

The Digital Director will act as the Trust Data Protection Officer and be the external contact for the ICO.

• Learn about our Executive Team
• Learn about our Trustees

Accountabilities

Strategic Planning and Implementation

• Develop and promote a culture and vision for technology with a tech-forward Digital Strategy aligned with the Trust’s overall goals and priorities to support transformation and innovation.
• Build strong relationships and engagement mechanisms across the Trust to understand business needs and facilitate effective decision-making / implementation regarding data and technology management.
• Provide strategic direction and oversight for the design, development, operation, and support of systems including application management, security and risk management, and infrastructure and operations support management.
• Oversee the design, development, and deployment of technology solutions and infrastructure, ensuring scalability, reliability, and security.
• Advise academies and the central Trust team on planning and managing ICT budgets, prioritising expenditure and ensuring value for money.
• Collaborate with colleagues to develop and implement plans to enhance services, improve efficiency and encourage innovation through greater use of digital solutions.
• Establish and maintain strong partnerships with technology partners and industry experts to stay abreast of emerging trends and opportunities.
• Provide strategic guidance and leadership to the IT and digital teams, fostering a culture of innovation, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
• Monitor and evaluate the performance of IT systems and digital initiatives, making recommendations for improvements and optimisations.
• Ensure the robust integrity and functionality of systems for learning, teaching, administration and leadership.
• Lead on technology efficiencies to support the Trust Future Working project, identifying ways to reduce workload and support hybrid working.
• Contribute to the Trust’s wider overall strategic planning.

Digital Transformation

• Lead on planning and delivery of digital transformation initiatives and change projects, collaborating with directors and senior leaders to champion the use of digital technology solutions to improve outcomes and experiences for staff and learners, and optimise operational processes.
• Identify and prioritise opportunities for digital innovation, automation, and enhanced data capabilities in both administrative and classroom environments.
• Drive digital transformation projects, championing the adoption and integration of digital technologies in both administrative and classroom environments.
• Develop a structured approach to introducing new technologies that offer demonstrable value.
• Identify opportunities to digitalise the Trust’s educational and operational processes where this would aid efficiency and add value.
• Improve end-user experience through innovation, engagement, and meaningful stakeholder relationships to drive operational efficiency through the adoption of modern digital and automation capabilities.
• Advise on and encourage the harmonisation and renewal of hardware across the Trust.
• Develop the most effective ways of presenting data to key stakeholders.
• Define and execute AI strategies to leverage data analytics, machine learning, and automation supporting operational and curriculum development and innovation.
• Develop and advise on appropriate policies on the safe and effective use of AI.
• Work with the Trust’s Marketing and Communications Manager to develop the most effective use of the Trust’s outward-facing digital footprint, including websites, social media and other digital platforms.

Leadership and Management

• Lead the IT teams across the Trust, leading by example and managing cultural change, motivating the teams to deliver excellence in IT support service delivery.
• Ensure an appropriate management structure for effective delivery, ensuring systems and procedures are in place and followed, including structures for mentoring, training, target setting, performance assessment and ongoing professional development.
• Develop strong working relationships and clear communications with internal and external stakeholders, ensuring appropriate and effective structures are in place for schools to report their IT service needs and escalate as necessary.
• Continuously evaluate the effectiveness and efficiency of the IT support service provision, identifying areas for improvement and driving service enhancements.
• Advise schools and the central Trust team on the design, implementation, and maintenance of a reliable and scalable ICT infrastructure, including networks, servers, hardware, software, and cloud-based services.
• Ensure all Trust sites have appropriate devices, connectivity, and support, either through the direct provision of Trust support services or by reviewing college and schools’ alternative approaches.
• Ensure effective digital asset management, advising schools and the central Trust team on reviewing and assessing the need for new equipment and software.
• Be responsible for all key digital/ICT related supplier relationships, leading all major tenders in these areas.
• Ensure effective communication with the Trust Executive, Directors, Trustees and Governors on strategy, service delivery performance, and risk, reporting to the Board as required.
• Oversee the onboarding of academies joining the Trust, ensuring due diligence in digital matters is undertaken and to design and deliver IT solutions and integrate these with the shared central systems.

Cyber and Data Security

• Act as the Trust Data Protection Officer.
• Oversee the Trust’s strategic approach to data and cyber management.
• Lead on cyber security across the Trust, ensuring that controls are in place and tested to provide a safe IT environment for students and staff.
• Ensure robust data and cyber security measures are in place and that they are implemented, reviewed and updated as necessary,
• Develop, implement and monitor relevant data/cyber security policies and procedures.
• Ensure compliance with relevant regulations and standards, including data governance, GDPR, safeguarding, and privacy laws and cyber security standards.
• Lead college and schools to achieve accredited Cyber Security standards such as Cyber Essential Plus.
• Oversee Threat Analysis, Risk Assessments, Business Continuity, Crisis Management, and IT Disaster Recovery Plans for IT within the Trust.
• Research and evaluate emerging cyber threats and develop solutions to mitigate risk.
• Oversee an information security risk register and support with internal and external audits.
• Develop and deliver a programme of cyber security awareness training and data management training for staff across the Trust.

Additional requirements

In the capacity of data management and risk, the Digital Director will act as the named Data Protection Officer including liaison with individual academy leaders.

Trust expectations of all staff

• Ensure the highest levels of safeguarding are always upheld.
• Support the mission, vision and values of the Trust and demonstrate a collaborative, team working approach to the college, schools, and Trust improvement.
• Be aware of confidential issues and maintain as appropriate.
• Promote and act in accordance with the Staff Code of Conduct and key policies including the Health & Safety Policy, Equality & Diversity Policy and Data Protection Policy.
• Effectively represent the Trust when liaising with contractors and outside agencies/organisations.
• Demonstrate tact and diplomacy in all interpersonal relationships with colleagues, the public and key stakeholders.
• Demonstrate a commitment to continuous professional development.

PERSON SPECIFICATION

All of the following criteria are considered essential unless otherwise noted.

Qualifications –  accessed by application.

• MSc/MA in relevant discipline. Desirable
• Educated to degree level or equivalent in a relevant subject. Desirable
• Competent and confident in using Microsoft Office and Google Suite.

Knowledge and experience – accessed by application/ interview

• Proven experience as IT Director or similar role leading large operational IT teams and services.
• Proven senior leadership experience of IT services, in an educational Trust or comparable environment. Desirable
• Proven leadership skills with the ability to build a shared vision and inspire collaboration across teams.
• Proven management skills with the ability to motivate teams across different sites, delegating tasks appropriately and monitoring the quality of the delivery and outcomes to achieve organisational objectives.
• Proven experience of leading successful digital transformation projects.
• Strong project management skills with the ability to manage multiple complex projects, procurement of contracts, management of large budgets, and management of contractors.
• Strong technical IT grounding, with proven experience of bringing together technology and digital resources to meet organisational needs.
• Solid understanding of relevant legislation, regulatory and best practice requirements underpinning IT service delivery, cybersecurity, data governance and GDPR.
• Sound knowledge of data systems integration and cloud-based technologies.
• Sound knowledge of networking architecture, implementation and troubleshooting.
• Sound knowledge of outward facing digital footprints including websites, social media and other digital platforms, and an understanding of how they can be best used for maximum impact.

Behaviours and Values – accessed by interview unless otherwise noted.

• Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to engage with technical and non-technical stakeholders effectively.
• Ability to use own initiative to make decisions and identify innovative solutions to problems not previously experienced.
• Ability to set and achieve performance targets and to effectively manage any underperformance.
• Ability to considers options, risks and impact to make decisions, solve problems and provide expert advice.
• Ability to engage and influence at the highest level, with excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Self-motivated with the ability to take responsibility for producing accurate results working with diligence, focus and pace.
• A collaborative team player who is highly approachable, with excellent problem-solving abilities and able to make sound judgements.
• Demonstrates flexibility in approach, the ability to adapt to changing workload demands, willing to be as hands-on as needed and able to prioritise appropriately.
• Demonstrates a commitment to maintaining and developing professional knowledge/skills. Application/
  Interview
• Personal commitment to appropriate professional standards, including core policies relating to equality and diversity and child protection. Application/Interview
• A role model for others who is committed to upholding the Trust’s values.