Director Digital

New Yesterday

Job Overview The King Edward VI Foundation, Birmingham, is a progressive charitable organisation which has supported excellence in education across the City since 1552. Our schools are diverse in nature but have a common purpose and commitment to achieving our mission of making Birmingham the best place to be educated in the UK. The King Edward VI Academy Trust Birmingham (the Academy Trust) was established in 2017 and currently consists of two independent schools, six selective, and six nonselective academies. At King Edward VI Foundation, we transform lives. We do this by providing excellent educational opportunities that are accessible to the communities we serve across Birmingham. Digital technology is a key enabler for us to continue to deliver a high-quality learning environment and a high performing, collaborative community. We are looking to appoint a Director of Digital who will be responsible for shaping and delivering a digital transformation programme and creating a culture of digital capability across our organisation. With over 13,000 pupils and more than 2,000 staff, this pivotal role represents an exciting leadership opportunity to lead a broad portfolio to deliver strategic benefit and a high-quality learning and working environment. The potential impact this role can have on our pupils, staff and partners should not be underestimated. The continuation of our transformational journey is embedded in our recently approved Strategic Plan 2026-31, which contains a number of substantial and challenging digital, data and technology priorities, which will be led by the appointee. We are seeking an outstanding individual who will shape and lead an ambitious roadmap of digital change across a large organisation and who can demonstrate a commitment to the values and strategic direction of the Foundation. As well as being an experienced, senior digital professional, you will be an inclusive people leader with a proven track record of delivering complex digital transformation at scale. You will demonstrate your ability to drive innovation to meet our future needs, whilst balancing this against the need for day to day secure, resilient and cost-efficient systems and infrastructure. Exceptional stakeholder management skills are essential, with an empathy for the digital challenges and opportunities faced by schools. You will have considerable experience from leading a successful digital/IT function and a natural desire to work with others to create a shared vision. Closing date: Tuesday 7th October 2025 at 12pm. Candidates should submit a statement of suitability outlining how their experiences and skills demonstrate their suitability for the role. Candidates should structure their statement using the six key deliverables listed in the pack. This should not exceed two sides of A4. A competitive salary is on offer. The Director of Digital will oversee a broad portfolio of activity comprising of six key deliverables. Key Deliverable: Digital Leadership Leads on digital strategy, shaping a digital strategic plan of activity and roadmap. Identifies impactful opportunities, systems and tools to support teaching, learning and collaboration. Provides direction on what emerging technologies should be introduced and integrated to ensure digital capabilities respond to the Foundations needs. Develops clear investment plans for digital systems and infrastructure required to deliver strategic and operational priorities. Key Deliverable: Operational Effectiveness Oversees the provision of high quality, reliable systems and services to support the Foundations community, with high quality user devices, accessible tools and applications operating within a reliable, sustainable, secure infrastructure and a cost effective model. Drives initiatives to improve the efficiency and efficacy of digital technologies focusing on optimising processes and improving service quality. Ensures critical services are robust and delivered in line with recognised service standards. Develops and controls annual operating and capital expenditure budgets to ensure investment in technologies aligns with the strategic objectives, is within plan and is procurement compliant. Key Deliverable: Stakeholder Partnerships Inspires stakeholders at all levels about the potential that technology can offer in enabling their goals. Develops networks and contacts within the sector to facilitate an understanding of best practice, and build awareness of future trends and opportunities, artificial intelligence and the latest developments in educational technology. Builds positive, collaborative relationships with the Executive and colleagues in schools, clusters and the central team to create synergies to deliver cost effective and innovative shared solutions. Leads the development of strategic and collaborative technology partnerships where these provide value for money, reduce risk and enhance service quality. Key Deliverable: Governance, Risk and Compliance Ensures that technology and systems are fit for purpose and robust enough to head-off existing and emerging digital risks, working with schools to control access, install protection systems and have monitoring systems in place. Ensures that digital risks are identified and managed, with effective business continuity arrangements documented and in place. Areas of non-compliance should be escalated to the appropriate committee/board for action. Supports schools to ensure that all relevant internal stakeholders are trained in cyber security and digital safeguarding within a culture of vigilance. Develops policies and ensures their application for the safe and effective use of digital technology and systems. Key Deliverable: Change Management and Adoption Ensure seamless implementation, user adoption, and ongoing optimisation of digital platforms, systems and tools. Drives organisational change by promoting digital literacy and advocating for digital transformation. Supports schools to develop a unified approach to using Microsoft applications for teaching, learning and collaboration. Produces business cases and clear change plans and benefits, carefully considering the human impact of technological change. Key Deliverable: Resource and Talent Development Develops the central digital team by providing empowering, motivating and inspiring leadership. Fosters a high performance, customer focused culture with clearly understood outputs and KPIs. Ensures the team structure, roles and accountabilities are aligned to strategic priorities, projects and Business As Usual (BAU) activity, flexing plans to meet changing needs. Mentors, coaches and sets stretching objectives for team members in an inclusive and supportive environment. Leadership Behaviours A leadership style that encourages commitment from others and promotes a positive and motivated organisational culture aligned to the Foundations values. An excellent track record of building and maintaining relationships that deliver effective working and collaboration across teams and settings. Effective communication and influencing skills, with an ability to inspire and encourage engagement on strategic issues with all stakeholders. A well developed coaching and empowering leadership style, adept at developing individuals, yet remains focused on high quality delivery, performance and accountability. A confident decision-maker, open to seeking advice and opinions. Essential Criteria Relevant degree and/or significant equivalent experience in a senior IT/Digital leadership post. Proven experience in leading a 24/7 IT service within a large, complex and business critical environment. Significant management experience in multidisciplinary IT/Digital services provision, including people and team leadership. Consistent achievement at senior management level, delivering transformational change which involves significant organisational impact, budgetary, human resource and timescale considerations. A strategic thinker not afraid to challenge the status quo. Evidence of negotiating and successfully managing complex relationships with internal and external customers and third party supplier relationship management. Ability to effectively communicate and instill confidence with peers and all key stakeholders including the ability to convey complex IT concepts to the lay person. Effective influencing and negotiation skills in a decentralised environment where resources may not be in the direct control of this role. Excellent analytical, strategic conceptual thinking, strategic planning, and execution/delivery skills. Deep understanding of current and emerging technologies in the education sector and how they may be applied to drive enhancement and help the Foundation achieve its educational mission. A competitive salary will be offered commensurate with senior level experience. Membership of an attractive pension scheme. 40 days annual leave (inclusive of public holidays). Hours of work are 35 hours per week. The post holder will be required to attend meetings (including evening meetings) and to travel off-site. A hybrid approach to working is in place. As this is a senior role, you will be expected to spend at least three days in the office/in schools. Funded CPD and apprenticeship programmes. Employee Assistance Programme (EAP). Cycle to work scheme. Free lunch. Free onsite parking. How to apply: The Foundation is an inclusive organisation, building a culture where differences are valued and believing that diversity drives continual improvement and success. We welcome applications for all posts from appropriately qualified persons regardless of age, disability, ethnicity, gender, marital status, sexual orientation, religion or belief. The Foundation is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, and applicants must be willing to undergo child protection screening appropriate to the post, including checks with past employers and the enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service. Interested candidates must complete the application form in this pack. In addition, candidates should submit a statement of suitability outlining how their experiences and skills demonstrate their suitability for the role. Candidates should structure their statement using the six key deliverables listed in the pack. This should not exceed two sides of A4.

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Location:
Gb
Job Type:
FullTime
Category:
Marketing

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