Head of IT

Learning Curve Group are a national training and education specialist we work with further education providers, employers, and learners to help them achieve success. We have strong values which are all centred around our learners - and that is how we believe it should be, as we impact on over 100,000 of them every year. Our ‘Purple People’, the dedicated and passionate people of LCG, help us to deliver success no matter what, to achieve our vision to ‘transform lives through learning’. Role Information Overview

As the Head of IT, you will create and drive a clearly defined and robust technology strategy to support LCG’s IT Service users.

Working with our MSP, you will be responsible for ensuring the technology infrastructure is in place to support a wide range of customers whilst driving the technical and digital innovation across the business.

You will be responsible for all large-scale IT projects across LCG, including any merger and acquisition activity, as well as adhering to the IT Security governance framework and processes to ensure we remain compliant with external and internal requirements.

This role will work closely with the Head of IT Security and as such may at times be required to support and input into security activities.

Main Duties

• Responsible for supervising and directing the activities of relevant IT department personnel to ensure the availability of systems, including cloud services, applications, data services and analytics systems, network connectivity and other key systems.
• Set SMART objectives for direct reports, ensuring regular 1-1s are held and documented on our Purple People System
• Oversee the management and maintenance of networking and telecommunication systems, monitoring system performance to help to identify system and service improvements, minimising the number of repeat incidents resulting from problems.
• Develop, implement and review SLAs for the internal IT department and provide monthly reporting on KPIs.
• Plan and manage the implementation, updating and upgrading of IT business systems and applications.
• Oversee the management and licensing of computer/mobile device software applications.
• Liaise with and manage external IT Suppliers with regard to the procurement of computer hardware, licenses and services to support setting and managing budgets.
• Lead and manage IT projects, including M&A activity, end-to-end, working with teams across LCG; this includes setting and managing budgets, ensuring projects remain on track.
• Working closely with the IT Security Officer, implement disaster recovery and back-up solutions to ensure we protect our assets.
• Create a great IT onboarding experience for our users, ensuring this is reviewed periodically.
• Conduct your role in line with the company values and expected behaviours
• Promote equal opportunities and recognition of diversity throughout the company
• Comply with the Safeguarding, Prevent and Health and Safety Policies and be vigilant to potential concerns and risks at all times
• Ensure confidentiality and professionalism at all times.
• Provide learners, customers and colleagues with support, advice and guidance as part of your everyday role, We wish we could provide these to all, but as a national company its not always possible. However, these perks are available to all staff when they attend our incredible Head Office space.
• Electric Car charging points
• Free fruit, Coffee and Tea
• Onsite Shower
• Prayer room on request or list of nearest available places of worship

We love to develop our people, so even if you don’t meet 100% of the essential criteria, we strongly encourage you to apply.

• Excellent leadership skills with experience managing a team
• An understanding of the IT requirements for a national company with experience of implementing a technology strategy to support this.
• Knowledge and experience of working with Azure and AD
• Experience of successfully managing and completing large-scale transformational projects utilising Agile Project Management methodology
• Brilliant interpersonal skills with the ability to convey technical requirements to non-technical users.
• Experience of all standard Microsoft applications
• Ability to work and manage responsibilities independently and collaborate with cross-functional teams, ensuring project deadlines are met
• Understanding of Cyber Essentials Plus and ISO27001 Certification and the requirements associated with both.
• Experience of working with suppliers/MSPs to achieve best value, ensuring they provide an excellent service and holding them to account when they do not.
• Able to manage own workload and work to deadlines.
• Excellent problem-solving skills and solutions-focused.
• An ability to quickly adapt to new situations and make decisions.
• Understanding of current Cyber Security risks in Education and experience implementing solutions to minimise these risks for a dispersed workforce.

Desirable Skills

• Experience of working on Merger and Acquisition activity
• Knowledge of ITIL best practice

• 36-hour working week for all full-time employees. For many colleagues, this means an early finish at 3:30 pm on a Friday!
• 26 days annual leave plus bank holidays
• Option to buy or sell up to 5 days annual leave each year
• Additional annual leave entitlement linked to length of service from 2 years
• Westfield Health cashback healthcare scheme
• Enhanced family leave
• Tech Scheme
• IKEA Benefit Scheme
• Cycle to Work Scheme
• One paid volunteering day per year
• Exclusive retail, lifestyle, and education discounts
• Uniform provided
• Access to a range of learning and development opportunities
• Employee recognition initiatives and wellbeing support, Don’t just take our word for it though! Our commitment to a number of covenants and pledges will show you just how serious we are about equal opportunities for all.

Halo Code Learning Curve Group stand against hair discrimination in the workplace and champion the right for our Purple People to embrace Afro-Hairstyles including including, but not limited to, afros, locs, twists, braids, cornrows, fades, hair straightened through the application of heat or chemicals, weaves, wigs, headscarves, and wraps.

Disability Confident Leader Disability Confident Leader status is the highest level of the scheme. It is awarded to organisations that act as champions for the rights of disabled people within their networks and who lead the way to help other businesses to become disability confident. At LCG we understand the need to remove barriers to create a level playing field. That’s why if you require any reasonable adjustments to the interview and/or workplace, we welcome a discussion.

Armed Forces Covenant Gold 12% of our entire workforce are veterans of the armed forces and as such as its only right we show our support by pledging to the Armed Forces Covenant. It is a promise to those who serve or who have served, and their families, which says we will do all we can to ensure they are treated fairly and not disadvantaged in their day-to-day lives. As part of this promise, Reservists will receive an additional 10 days paid leave to attend training.

• Domestic Abuse Covenant
• Care Leaver Covenant
• Working Chance
• Ban the box

There are many reasons that make Learning Curve Group a fantastic place to work!

Although we have some great benefits, we know that one of our biggest perks is the incredible people & culture we have been lucky enough to create. Don’t just take our word for it though, you can hear from some of our Purple People here:

Alongside meaningful work and opportunities to develop your career, you’ll have access to a fantastic range of benefits, including