IT Manager
A seasoned 10+ year IT leader with a proven track record in enterprise resource planning (ERP), student information systems (SIS), learning management systems (LMS), data center/server-room builds, DevOps engineering, and disaster recovery/business continuity (DR/BC). Oversees hybrid IT infrastructure, distributed campuses, software/product delivery, vendor management, and governance across the education group.
Role and Responsibilities of IT Manager
1. IT Infrastructure Management
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Network and System Administration: Oversee the management of the school’s IT infrastructure, including local area networks (LAN), wide area networks (WAN), servers, storage solutions, and cloud-based environments.
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Execute at least two data center/server-room builds, covering full lifecycle design, implementation, operation, upgrades/replacements, hardware/software refresh planning, and sunsetting.
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Hardware and Software Management: Ensure the proper selection, installation, configuration, and maintenance of hardware and software systems. This includes ensuring all IT systems are up to date and fully operational.
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Oversee lifecycle planning for servers, network, databases, and software: procurements, patch policies, asset tracking, budgeting and decommissioning schedules.
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Backup and DR / BC: Design and implement backup solutions and disaster recovery plans to ensure data integrity and system availability in case of an emergency or disaster.
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Deliver at least one successful DR/BC implementation, covering both Disaster Recovery (reactive restoration) and Business Continuity (proactive planning).
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Build formal DR/BC processes including risk assessment, business impact analysis (BIA), RTO/RPO, resilience, redundancy, and periodic testing.
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Implement automated failover and redundancy strategies (multi-region, VM replication, IaC provisioning).
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Schedule regular DR drills (annual full simulation plus quarterly tabletop sessions).
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Network Security: Work closely with the Cybersecurity Specialist to ensure that the network is protected using firewalls, VPNs, and other security measures.
2. ERP / SIS / LMS / HRM Implementations
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Lead at least three successful ERP, HRM, SIS, and/or LMS projects—from requirements gathering and vendor evaluation to go-live and support.
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Manage complex stakeholder communications across academic, finance, operations, marketing, HR, and IT teams; ensure on-time and within-budget delivery; drive user adoption and training.
3. DevOps Engineering Leadership (≥5 years)
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Oversee DevOps practices: CI/CD, IaC, automated testing, version control, and monitoring.
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Use tools like Terraform or CloudFormation for infrastructure provisioning and automated deploys.
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Align teams around DORA metrics: deployment frequency, lead time, change failure rate, MTTR, and reliability.
4. Team Leadership and Management
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Manage and lead the IT team; mentor members to enhance technical skills and advance careers.
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Mentor campus-based teams: helpdesk, infrastructure, ERP/SIS admins, application developers, and DevOps engineers.
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Oversee daily IT operations, assign duties, prioritize tasks, and monitor progress.
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Set performance goals and KPIs, conduct reviews, and organize team-building activities.
5. Project Management
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Lead RFP processes: define requirements, evaluate vendors, negotiate contracts.
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Oversee hardware/software upgrades and system implementations within time and budget.
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Manage vendor relations, contracts, SLAs, and issue resolution.
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Continuously assess and optimise IT processes for efficiency and alignment with strategy.
6. Technical Support and Troubleshooting
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Provide high-level support to staff and students; ensure prompt helpdesk resolution.
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Oversee troubleshooting of network, hardware, and system issues.
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Continuously improve IT support and helpdesk services.
7. KPIs & Operational Monitoring
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Design dashboards tracking ERP/LMS uptime, DR test success rates, SLAs, DORA metrics, cloud spend, and infrastructure utilisation.
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Present monthly reports to leadership for data-driven decisions.
8. Budgeting and Cost Management
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Develop and manage IT budgets, monitor costs, and identify cost-saving initiatives.
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Maintain IT asset inventory and ensure timely upgrades within budget constraints.
9. Strategic IT Planning
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Develop long-term IT strategy and roadmap aligned with institutional goals.
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Assess and recommend emerging technologies.
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Identify opportunities for innovation, efficiency, and cost reduction.
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Evaluate and mitigate IT and cybersecurity risks.
10. IT Governance, Policies & SOPs
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Author and maintain IT policies, frameworks, and SOPs for infrastructure, security, DR/BC, change/configuration, and software operations.
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Enforce governance for ERP/SIS/LMS/HRM implementations.
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Standardise CI/CD pipelines, IaC frameworks, and monitoring practices.
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Maintain configuration baselines, change advisory boards, and audit traceability.
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Ensure system availability and BCDR integration.
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Collaborate with cybersecurity for compliance with FERPA, GDPR, and HIPAA.
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Maintain patch management, incident response, cost efficiency, and KPI dashboards.
11. Collaboration with Stakeholders
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Collaborate with departments to align technology with operational needs.
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Report performance, uptime, and budget status to senior leadership.
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Ensure adherence to IT policies and standards.
Optional but Valuable Experience
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Facility Design & Build: Knowledge of server room layout, cabling, HVAC, and security integration.
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Premise Security & Access Controls: Policies for CCTV, badge access, sensors, and incident response.