Server Infrastructure Manager

Our central IT team is looking for a Server Infrastructure Manager to take responsibility for for the delivery and day to day operations of all server, storage and related services.

This will include delivering continual improvement of infrastructure services and automation along with building and maintaining effective cross departmental and academy relationships and working practices to ensure the long-term strategic planning and delivery aligned with the business requirements.

About Us

The Harris Federation mission is to transform education in London so that every student in a Harris Academy receives an outstanding education. Closing the gap between children from disadvantaged backgrounds and their peers has always been a core mission. 

The founder, Chairman and sponsor of the Harris Federation, Lord Harris of Peckham, opened our first school in 1990. We now have 51 primary and secondary academies across London and Essex, employing over 5,000 staff and educating some 40,000 young people.

Main Areas of Responsibility

You will be responsible for developing and maintaining the following services:

• On Premise Server Infrastructure (including new physical and virtual servers) across the Federation
• Monitoring and capacity planning of the server infrastructure
• Server backups
• Active Directory user provisioning
• Web filtering
• The security and on-going patch management of all servers

Additional responsibilities will include:

• Reviewing and analysing current technology infrastructure and its ability to support strategic corporate objectives
• Identifying and proposing specific strategies, initiatives, and remedies to align technology infrastructure with corporate objectives
• Supporting development of business drivers, business case and high level program implementation plan
• Continually researching new technologies to ensure systems are as efficient, effective, resilient and secure as possible
• Promoting awareness of new technologies, maintaining up to date knowledge of leading-edge technology and associated vendors, and liaising with vendors, partners and service providers as appropriate.
• Disseminating information about new systems to the immediate and remote IT Team
• Designing, building and maintaining the systems to ensure that they:

1. are secure;
2. are resilient;
3. are appropriate for needs;
4. have sufficient capacity;
5. have perform as required;
6. are available when required;
7. provide value for money;
8. are documented appropriately.

• Promoting shared and common infrastructure
• Developing and maintaining standard processes and procedures
• Developing and maintaining a consistent operational monitoring and reporting platform
• Ensuring that all ICT solutions are fit for purpose, scalable, adaptable and compliant
• Developing and maintaining standard migration processes
• Identifying training requirements for ICT support staff
• Ensuring that deployed solutions and underlying documentation are regularly reviewed and refreshed
• Maintaining strong lines of communication with all relevant areas of the organisation and with relevant external entities

This is not a full job description, and should be read in conjunction with the Job Pack.

Qualifications & Experience

The successful candidate will have:

• Demonstrable experience of balancing priorities and successful delivery of objectives, in a fast paced, constantly changing environment
• Ability to troubleshoot, investigate and resolve technical issues
• Ability to react quickly and effectively to issues and opportunities
• Substantial experience of carrying out a similar role
• Proven track record in working to strict timescales and of working with staff at all levels
• Experience of working in an on-site IT based Customer Service
• Understanding of Storage Devices (SAN, NAS, DAS)
• Detailed knowledge of :

1. Microsoft server (Server 2012, 2016, 2019 and 2022) and desktop products (Windows 10,11 and Apple MAC)
2. Microsoft Hyper-V 2019, Microsoft Failover Cluster and VMWare vSphere
3. Powershell and automation tools
4. Active Directory
5. Azure SSO authentication
6. Hybrid environments (AD and Exchange)
7. Managing Microsoft SCCM products (inc Data Protection Manager)
8. HPE Server Hardware
9. Server Monitoring platforms (such as PRTG or Solarwinds)
10. Web Filtering platforms
11. Different cyber technologies across Infrastructure protection, Application Security & Information Protection.

Next Steps

If you have any questions about this opportunity, please contact us via e-mail, or call to arrange a conversation.

Before applying, please download the Job Pack for full details on the job responsibilities and person specification. You will need this when completing your application.

Please note: we may hold interviews as and when applications are received and we reserve the right to offer to a candidate prior to the closing date. We only accept applications submitted online via our careers website and which are completed before the closing deadline. With this in mind, we encourage you to apply as soon as possible and advise you check the job information as per the listing on our careers site.

Professional Development & Benefits

Our people are at the heart of our success. We have developed a strong culture of collaboration and best practice, with professional development and career planning at its centre. We invest in our staff with support, coaching, mentoring, and a wide range of top-quality training programmes delivered at every level to senior leadership.

We look for talented individuals who share our vision for creating exceptional places of learning, and are committed to ensuring that every child in London has access to the best possible education.

In addition to the opportunities for career progression, training and development, we also offer a competitive rewards and benefits package which includes our Harris Allowance, a Performance and Loyalty Bonus, Pension Scheme, a Wellbeing Cash Plan and many other benefits. Our head office staff also benefit from flexible working on a core hours basis, offering the opportunity to choose the working hours that suit you, as well as hybrid working, details of which can be discussed at interview.

Safeguarding Notice

The Harris Federation and all our academies are committed to ensuring the highest levels of safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, and we expect all our staff and volunteers to share in this commitment. All offers of employment are subject to an Enhanced DBS check, references, and where applicable, a prohibition from teaching check will be completed for all applicants. Before applying, please review our Policy Statement on the Recruitment of Ex-Offenders.

Equal Opportunities

The Harris Federation is an equal opportunities employer and welcomes applications from all suitably qualified candidates.

As a provider of employment and education, we value the diversity of our staff and students, and all our staff are equally valued and respected. We are committed to providing a fair, equitable and mutually supportive learning and working environment for our students and staff.