Director of Digital and Technology

ARK SCHOOLS

Director of Digital and Technology

Reports to: Chief Operating Officer

Location: West London – currently operating an agile working policy with two core days (Mon and Weds) in the office

Contract: Permanent

Pattern: Full Time (standard hours 9am – 5.30pm)

Closing date: 12/03/2024 at 10am

Interviews: First round – Monday 8 th April, Second round – Monday 15 th April

Salary: Up to £150,000 (depending on experience)

Start date: June 2024 or as soon as possible, depending on availability.

About the role:

This is an exciting opportunity to join us as Director of Digital and Technology, leading on all technology aspects for the trust. This includes strategy, systems, cyber security, school-based technology including the in-house provision of the IT services for all our 39 schools, (serving 30,000 children with over 4,000 staff) as well as supporting the Ark Central team and its ventures, providing data and insights to all key stakeholders and IT project transformation across the organisation.

The Director of Digital and Technology will lead a high-performing team of technology, data, information, and service specialists. They will have a passion for technology and a belief in the difference it can make to education and operations.

This role will support the creation of our new education hub in White City where Ark will relocate in the summer of 2024.

The Director of Digital and Technology will also oversee:

• Formation and delivery of an effective and efficient technology and data strategy that supports our schools and ventures.
• Develop sector leading innovative technologies.
• Provide the tools, support, and expertise to enable the Trust to constantly leverage data to improve decision making.
• Deliver technology foundations (infrastructure, support, and service).

About Ark

We’re an international charity, transforming lives through education. We exist to give every young person, regardless of their background, a great education and real choices in life. In the UK, we’re a network of 39 schools, educating around 30,000 pupils in areas where we can make the biggest difference and we’re recognised as one of the highest achieving academy groups in the country. We want to change the lives of children everywhere, not just in our own schools. So, we create and incubate Ventures designed not only to help pupils in Ark schools, but also to improve education systems.

You’ll be joining a group of like-minded, ambitious individuals who work collaboratively and are all committed to our core mission, that every child has the potential to succeed. Having just celebrated our 20 th anniversary, we are shaping our goals for the next 20 and there has never been a more exciting time to join us.

Benefits

• 27 days annual leave plus bank holidays, rising with each year of service up to 30 days after 3-years’ service.
• This entitlement is pro-rata for part time employees.
• This entitlement excludes bank holidays.
• Full office closure between Christmas and New Year Hybrid working, with currently two days a week in our state-of-the-art office in West London working alongside colleagues.
• Regular social events, monthly free breakfast, and daily fruit.
• A flexible approach to working with understanding and consideration for work life balance and personal commitments.
• As an Ark employee, you will have the opportunity to be part of the TPT (The Pension Trust) scheme, our workplace pension scheme where we make an 11% contribution; you are not required to contribute towards this scheme unless you choose to.
• Depending on your role you may also be entitled to LGPS which is a defined benefit scheme where you contribute a percentage based on how much you earn (as do we) in exchange for a guaranteed amount in your pension pot every year.
• Access to high-quality professional learning throughout your career, offering both face-to-face sessions and a bespoke online learning platform.
• Access to Ark Rewards scheme offering savings from over 3,000 major retailers, interest-free loans available for season tickets or a bike, gym discounts offering up to 40% off your local gym and free eye tests.

How to Apply:

Anderson Quigley is acting as an advisor to Ark, an executive search process is being carried out by Anderson Quigley in addition to the public advertisement. To apply, please visit our dedicated microsite . Applications should consist of:

• A full CV.
• A covering letter (maximum of two pages) outlining how you meet the essential experience criteria of the person specification.
• Please include details of two referees in either your CV or covering letter, though please note that we will not approach your referees without your prior consent and only should you be shortlisted.

Should you wish to discuss the role in strict confidence, please contact Grace Tattersall at or (0) or Carolyn Coates at or (0).

Ark is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people in its academies. In order to meet this responsibility, its academies follow a rigorous selection process to discourage and screen out unsuitable applicants.

Ark requires all employees to undertake an enhanced DBS check. You are required, before appointment, to disclose any unspent conviction, cautions, reprimands or warnings under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975. Non-disclosure may lead to termination of employment. However, disclosure of a criminal background will not necessarily debar you from employment – this will depend upon the nature of the offence(s) and when they occurred. To read more about Ark’s safer recruitment process, please click this link .

We aim to build a diverse and inclusive organisation where everyone – staff and students – can do their best work and achieve their full potential. We want to reflect and represent diverse perspectives across our organisation because we know that doing so will make us stronger and more effective. To know more about Ark’s diversity and inclusion commitments, please click on this link.