Description:
The Halifax Grammar School (Grammar) is seeking an experienced, full-time Associate Director, IT. The Associate Director of IT supports Grammar with IT Operations and Strategy; planning, implementing, and maintaining IT systems, including hardware, software, security, policies and usage for current and future environments.
With the assistance of an IT Support Specialist, the Associate Director of IT is responsible for providing IT support to the school, including students, faculty, and staff. This support encompasses IT infrastructure, curriculum application software installation, training, and assistance for staff, faculty, and students.
They support Grammar by helping to ensure that students learn in a technologically rich environment for instruction and student learning that is adaptive, dynamic, digital, student-centred, and authentic. They ensure Grammar is supported with smooth and efficient operation of technology resources for the maximum positive impact on the education of our youth.
Duties:
IT Management
- Ensure that all Grammar technology is appropriate, usable and reliable by translating business needs into technical solutions, and identifying and mitigating operational and strategic risks.
- Manage ongoing network architecture design, maintenance, troubleshooting, and upgrading with external support as necessary.
- Manage IT vendor relationships, schedule service calls and repairs/maintenance.
- Manage hardware & software and their inventory; control software, including virus protection, external backup software, and email security.
- Prepare annual capital budget requests for hardware and software purchases.
- Provide counsel and work with Senior Management to maintain and update best-practice usage for all staff and students.
IT Support
- Deliver hands-on and oversight-level Tier 2 support for system and application software, as well as hardware installation, testing, troubleshooting, and updates—translating end-user needs into continuous improvements for IT service delivery.
- Supervise, support and mentor the IT Support Specialist in providing system setup, support, orientation, troubleshooting and training, while following industry best practices.
- Ensure application software implementations, including installation, training and support for staff and students, are planned, managed and completed collaboratively on time/on budget, such as computer labs, computers on wheels, Smart Classrooms, Projector Classrooms, LCD Classrooms, and computers in learning spaces.
- Ensure that the theatre/auditorium/meeting rooms presentation and audio/video setup is optimal and ready as required.
- Support Apple and PC devices; Google, Asana, Toddle and Blackbaud (MyGrammar) platforms; and other third-party systems.
IT Integration
- Provide counsel and support an environment that encourages the use of instructional technology based on research-based evidence of good practice.
- Promote the use of school-supported software in collaboration with the Heads of School.
- Ensure all staff and faculty are trained and supported.
- Researches, recommends and facilitates the use of existing and emerging technologies by staff and students.
- Keeps informed of the latest research, trends, and developments in education technology.
Other
- After-hours/on-call emergency support for administration.
Qualifications:
- A diploma in Information Technology or a degree in Computer Science.
- Progressive experience and a minimum of five (5) years’ experience in an IT department at a supervisory or management level with previous experience in a Support/Helpdesk role.
- Strong computer skills, including experience with Blackbaud, social media platforms, smart technology, Fortinet, Google Workspace, Microsoft Office suite, Apple Device Management, and monitoring Chromebooks and Windows devices.
- Experience supervising other IT staff is required.