Director of IT at Haileybury Astana School

Haileybury Astana is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and those connected to the school to share this commitment. Applicants must be willing to undergo child protection screening including reference checks with previous employers and police checks. Online searches will be done as part of due diligence checks for shortlisted candidates.

Haileybury Astana School is Equal Opportunity Employer.

As part of our safer recruitment process, we will be conducting thorough online searches, extensive background checks, and collecting references.

We are seeking an experienced and proactive Director of IT to lead and oversee the school’s IT infrastructure, systems, and digital strategy. The successful candidate will play a key role in ensuring the effective, secure, and innovative use of technology across the school while supporting both academic and operational excellence.

Work schedule: Monday – Friday, 08:00 – 17:00

We offer:

• Competitive Salary
• Annual Paid Leave: 30 calendar days
• Free and Healthy Breakfast & Lunches at school
• Free Transportation to school
• Additional Medical Insurance coverage for staff and family members
• Professional Development Opportunities
• Wellbeing Program (access to gym and swimming pool at school)
• International & Friendly Environment

Main Responsibilities:

• Lead and manage all IT department resources, including personnel, systems, and budget planning.
• Oversee the management, development, maintenance, and effective use of all school IT systems and infrastructure.
• Work closely with the Senior Management Team to further develop and implement the school’s IT strategy.
• Maintain strong professional relationships between the IT department and all other school departments.
• Ensure the integrity, reliability, and security of the school’s network and systems.
• Implement, maintain, and monitor IT security policies and procedures.
• Advise on IT-related policies and manage all IT projects across the school.
• Ensure compliance with school policies, statutory regulations, and legislative requirements.
• Provide technical advice and support regarding IT requirements for all areas of the school.
• Ensure efficient operation of management software, backup systems, and disaster recovery processes, including regular testing.
• Oversee the maintenance and replacement of hardware, software, and network infrastructure in accordance with agreed policies.
• Ensure effective anti-virus and cybersecurity protection for all network and standalone systems.
• Analyze technical requirements, prepare specifications for IT equipment, and oversee procurement processes.
• Maintain a central database of hardware and software assets and ensure compliance with software licensing regulations.
• Monitor and report internet, email, and network breaches in line with school policy.
• Stay up to date with developments in the IT industry and introduce new technologies appropriate to the school environment.
• Undertake additional duties as reasonably required by the Head of Digital Learning, Principal, or Senior Management Team to support the effective operation of the school.

Requirements:

• Higher professional education in Information Technology or a related field.
• Minimum 5 years of experience in a relevant leadership or managerial IT position.
• Fluency in English (high proficiency required).

Skills and Knowledge:

• Strong knowledge of IT infrastructure, networking, cybersecurity, and systems administration.
• Experience working with cloud-based systems such as iSAMS, Google Workspace for Education, Microsoft Azure, Apple School Manager, and school calendar systems.
• Ability to research, analyze, troubleshoot, and resolve technical issues effectively.
• Excellent team management, communication, analytical, and decision-making skills.
• Understanding of data integrity, confidentiality, and information security principles.
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to prioritize tasks and meet deadlines in a dynamic environment.
• Ability to work independently while knowing when to escalate or delegate issues appropriately.
• Strong personal efficiency and time management skills.