IT Manager and Operations Assistant

OBJECTIVES

The IT Manager and Operations Assistant is responsible for day-to-day IT operations, including managing the IT help desk, network infrastructure, wireless networking, server and storage management, backup and recovery services, print services and other operational activities. The IT Manager and Operations Assistant should support and facilitate the school-wide adoption of technology for teaching and learning, and work closely with the Director of Finance and Operations and Senior Leadership Team (SLT) to ensure this is facilitated correctly. The IT Manager and Operations Assistant will be responsible for leading the IT function to implement processes in accordance with best industry practices. This role will support facilities and operations, ensuring the school’s physical infrastructure runs smoothly.

In the initial phase of school operations, the role is expected to dedicate 50% of time to IT responsibilities and 50% to operations responsibilities. This will change as the school evolves to a more fully dedicated IT role.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Duties/Responsibilities:

IT Strategy, Planning and Budgeting

• Develop and implement an IT strategy that supports the school’s educational technology objectives and priorities, and that is aligned to the overall group IT strategy (under the larger Wellington College China and Hiba Academy group).
• Prepare annual IT development plans defining key initiatives and responsibilities for implementing IT strategy and driving overall technology progress.
• Develop annual IT budget proposals in support of the overall annual non-academic strategic development plan (NASDP) as well as the group IT development plan.
• Advise and support the school’s educational technology leadership in its planning and budgeting process.
• Maintain the school IT budget and monthly expenses, monitoring actual spending is in line with budget.
• Provide technical information, advice and assistance to key ICT stakeholders including SLT.
• Stay abreast of emerging educational technologies, cybersecurity trends, and infrastructure innovations, and proactively provide recommendations to the Senior Leadership Team (SLT) on tools and systems that enhance learning, operational efficiency, and data security. Update the broader school community on developments in IT operations and their impact on staff, students, and parents.
• Lead IT readiness planning for school opening and annual start-of-year transitions, ensuring all school-owned systems, networks, devices, platforms, and classrooms meet defined performance, security, and lifecycle standards prior to the start of each academic year.

IT Leadership

• Lead the development of IT operational goals, objectives and action planning to ensure goals are attained.
• Establish performance metrics that support the accomplishment of the school’s strategic goals. Provide monthly reports on key IT performance metrics.
• Ensure that IT projects are on time, within budget, and achieve the defined objectives.

EdTech Support

• Actively contribute to strengthening technology adoption to enhance teaching and learning by supporting and closely collaborating with leadership and academic staff.
• Liaise with department heads in an effective and efficient manner, to define and manage technology projects in accordance with the annual Strategic Development Plan.
• Collaborate with the academic team to ensure all IT infrastructure and services properly support teaching and learning and meet end-user requirements.

IT Services and Support

• Manage IT operations ensuring prompt, high quality service and leading to a continuous high user satisfaction of staff, students and parents with the IT provisioning of the school. Optimize IT services for continuous improvement in IT functionality and learner or staff experience.
• Implement ITIL/ITSM processes as appropriate to our environment, focusing on development of change, configuration and change management procedures.
• Ensure appropriate monitoring and reporting of service delivery, systems control and preventative maintenance, and staff development, organizing regular technical trainings for new and existing staff members.
• Foster a culture of proactivity, responsiveness and service orientation, directly assisting team members and students as needed with technology-related needs, such as onboarding and AV support.
• Ensure that Service Desk escalation mechanisms are in place and working, participating in problem definition and resolution for escalated issues.
• Establish transparent monitoring and reporting of IT systems’ health status providing management with a concise, insightful summary of IT infrastructure in the school.

IT Infrastructure Support and Development

• Maintain, support and continuously develop the school’s network and communications infrastructure, working with external vendors as needed.
• Ensure uptime and availability of all school systems and technology infrastructure meets the service level expectations set by SLT and Group IT leadership.
• Manage inventory and take ownership of all school-based servers and other general computing devices. Take ownership of school's IT asset management system, ensuring the complete and accurate tracking of all school-owned IT equipment. Advise on IT hardware procurement, liaising with vendors and key stakeholders, and take ownership of the school’s IT device leasing program.
• Work together with the Central Office IT team to maintain and manage any cloud-based technology resources (server, applications, databases, etc.) of the school.
• Implement best practices to optimize Internet access performance and connectivity utilising QOS techniques, bandwidth optimisation and caching services.
• Develop best practices for the configuration and utilisation of network authentication, Internet access control and content filtering technology to ensure staff’s and students’ safeguarding.
• Ensure consistent and compliant deployment of IT devices for staff and students.
• Liaise with the IT services vendors on the support and development of the IT infrastructure, documenting and maintaining visibility of vendors meeting their Service Level Agreements (SLAs). Coordinate vendor service, insurance, and warranty items and associated documentation and approval processes.

IT Application Support and Development

• Manage the support and development of IT applications, including school management, admissions, library, and co-curricular activity systems.
• Provide guidance and leadership on projects to improve IT applications within the school.

IT Policies and Compliance

• Develop school IT policies, ensure implementation and monitor compliance.
• Work with Central Office IT team to implement group wide IT policies and other technology standards and management processes.
• Support annual IT audit, reporting on the school’s overall compliance with group or school IT policies.
• Ensure that users follow safe operating procedures.
• Current and continuing commitment to Equal Opportunity and Occupational Safety and Health/ Workplace Health & Safety in all aspects of employment and service delivery.

Facilities and Operations Support

• Assist with overall management of the facility, including but not limited to ensuring classrooms, common areas, and outdoor spaces are safe and functional.
• Assist with event logistics, including AV, seating, security coordination, and visitor interaction.
• Support day-to-day school operations to increase the school’s administrative capacity.
• Provide operational support in procurement and inventory management as necessary. Help coordinate external relationships with vendors and contractors.
• Other duties as assigned by the Director of Finance and Operations or other school leadership

Pay: $115,000.00 - $125,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Flexible spending account
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Parental leave
• Professional development assistance
• Vision insurance

Work Location: In person

Salary : $115,000 - $125,000