Sign up with GoogleJob Title: Technology Officer
Reports To: Director of Technology
Please us the link below to submit your application:
http://sparkschools.workable.com
Position Purpose:
The Technology Officer will lead the IT operations at SPARK Schools. They will be responsible for fulfilling the delivery of IT services for a company that is experiencing exponential growth. This is a position for a person who understands what it means to own their portfolio, who has a mature, realistic understanding of their capabilities, and has the confidence in their ability to deliver against demanding expectations. The successful applicant will have the opportunity to accelerate their career and work with world-class individuals.
The Technology Officer will ensure that all SPARK Schools have the technology infrastructure, uplink connectivity, wireless access, end-user devices and support services to enable students to learn, and staff to be effective in their work. The successful candidate will work closely with school leaders, support office staff and the academic team, to understand their needs and identify, recommend, develop, implement, and support cost-effective technology solutions for our growing network. The Technology Officer will have a crucial voice in shaping the SPARK Schools IT strategy and contribute to its ultimate success.
The ideal candidate believes strongly in customer service, is an excellent project manager and effective communicator, possesses solid technical skills and knowledge, and is known for meticulously completing tasks that are of a high standard. The candidate will hold themselves and external service providers to the highest of standards.
This position will report to the Director of Technology and will be based at our Head Office (Central Johannesburg).
The Technology Officer will be required to travel between all of the SPARK Schools sites.
Responsibilities
Managing technology strategy and projects
• Collaborate with the leadership team to set the vision for integrating technology into our classrooms and operations.
• Develop into an expert on the technology needs and strategy for SPARK Schools.
• Set goals and metrics for successful technology performance across our network and drive toward excellence in achieving those goals.
• Provide input on decisions related to strategic technology decisions at tech strategy meetings (comprised of the CEO, COO, Director of Technology, Director of School Design and technology experts)
• Manage the deployment of major, network-wide initiatives such as:
o Deployment of student and staff devices.
o Launching new technology enabled learning tools
o Wireless infrastructure upgrades
o Online student assessments
• Total ownership of existing network infrastructure and all future network projects and rollout.
• Manage users and organizational units, as well as the group permissions to manage resource accessibility.
• Engaging in business process engineering to promote operational efficiencies.
• Have experience designing administering and operating a support ticketing system as well as a related knowledge base.
• Have a sound understanding of enterprise business applications and how they support the business functions.
Optimising student learning and regional support
• Partner with our School Design Team team to ensure that our IT infrastructure supports technology enabled learning tools and to influence strategic decisions about integrating technology into student learning.
• Maintain a customer-service oriented mind-set and commit themselves, often in ill-defined scenarios, to directly support schools and staff on tech-related challenges.
• Implementing and managing blended learning software and integration platforms.
Managing vendor relationships and performance
• Manage and develop technology based relationships.
• Independently manage the implementation of service provider services at all sites.
• Negotiate with vendors on major technology projects.
• Actively ensure that SPARK is maximising its resource spend with suppliers.
• Constantly seeking innovative solutions to making use of service providers.
Technical Skills
• Applicant must have solid understanding of network topologies and technology, and be comfortable with designing and implementing IT networks. Certifications a must.
• Applicant must have a grasp of scripting languages such as python, to perform intermediate level integrations between isolated data-sources, as per businesses’ requirements.
• Ensure a good knowledge of SaaS and cloud integration strategies. Experience with messaging systems and workflow systems advantageous.
• Applicant must have experience with integrating peer systems using RESTful APIs and XML / JSON.
• Knowledge of programming languages are essential. Web-centric languages such as Ruby and PHP, and scripting languages such as Python preferable.
• Applicant must have a solid grasp of Google’s Apps for Education/Business.
• The applicant must have proven experience in managing a large IT asset inventory (1500+), including the movement of assets between their various states, as well as ensuring minimal unused or unusable assets on hand.
Qualifications and Characteristics
• Passion for SPARK Schools’ mission and a focus on what is best for students.
• At least 2 years of project management experience, ideally in an IT or related role, preferable.
• Outstanding project management skills.
• A keen eye for detail and be exhaustive in the administration of information systems, which will ensure accurate and prompt access to information.
• Must be prepared to take on the responsibility of total ownership of the IT department and all its related systems and processes, and be prepared to report to management when required.
• Strong foundational technical skills and knowledge.
• Strong interest in technology in general and have a personal passion for side projects and experimentation, and channel this to enhance learning.
• Speaks and writes clearly and persuasively one-on-one and in groups; interacts well with people from all backgrounds and in all roles.
• Demonstrated customer-service mind-set and desire to support school staff and students.
• Team player who enjoys collaboration.
• Resourceful and resilient in the face of roadblocks.
Experience
• At least 2 years experience in a senior IT administration role.
Compensation: Commensurate with experience.
Position Type: Full Time
Location: Johannesburg, South Africa
Please us the link below to submit your application:
http://sparkschools.workable.com
Reports To: Director of Technology
Please us the link below to submit your application:
http://sparkschools.workable.com
Position Purpose:
The Technology Officer will lead the IT operations at SPARK Schools. They will be responsible for fulfilling the delivery of IT services for a company that is experiencing exponential growth. This is a position for a person who understands what it means to own their portfolio, who has a mature, realistic understanding of their capabilities, and has the confidence in their ability to deliver against demanding expectations. The successful applicant will have the opportunity to accelerate their career and work with world-class individuals.
The Technology Officer will ensure that all SPARK Schools have the technology infrastructure, uplink connectivity, wireless access, end-user devices and support services to enable students to learn, and staff to be effective in their work. The successful candidate will work closely with school leaders, support office staff and the academic team, to understand their needs and identify, recommend, develop, implement, and support cost-effective technology solutions for our growing network. The Technology Officer will have a crucial voice in shaping the SPARK Schools IT strategy and contribute to its ultimate success.
The ideal candidate believes strongly in customer service, is an excellent project manager and effective communicator, possesses solid technical skills and knowledge, and is known for meticulously completing tasks that are of a high standard. The candidate will hold themselves and external service providers to the highest of standards.
This position will report to the Director of Technology and will be based at our Head Office (Central Johannesburg).
The Technology Officer will be required to travel between all of the SPARK Schools sites.
Responsibilities
Managing technology strategy and projects
• Collaborate with the leadership team to set the vision for integrating technology into our classrooms and operations.
• Develop into an expert on the technology needs and strategy for SPARK Schools.
• Set goals and metrics for successful technology performance across our network and drive toward excellence in achieving those goals.
• Provide input on decisions related to strategic technology decisions at tech strategy meetings (comprised of the CEO, COO, Director of Technology, Director of School Design and technology experts)
• Manage the deployment of major, network-wide initiatives such as:
o Deployment of student and staff devices.
o Launching new technology enabled learning tools
o Wireless infrastructure upgrades
o Online student assessments
• Total ownership of existing network infrastructure and all future network projects and rollout.
• Manage users and organizational units, as well as the group permissions to manage resource accessibility.
• Engaging in business process engineering to promote operational efficiencies.
• Have experience designing administering and operating a support ticketing system as well as a related knowledge base.
• Have a sound understanding of enterprise business applications and how they support the business functions.
Optimising student learning and regional support
• Partner with our School Design Team team to ensure that our IT infrastructure supports technology enabled learning tools and to influence strategic decisions about integrating technology into student learning.
• Maintain a customer-service oriented mind-set and commit themselves, often in ill-defined scenarios, to directly support schools and staff on tech-related challenges.
• Implementing and managing blended learning software and integration platforms.
Managing vendor relationships and performance
• Manage and develop technology based relationships.
• Independently manage the implementation of service provider services at all sites.
• Negotiate with vendors on major technology projects.
• Actively ensure that SPARK is maximising its resource spend with suppliers.
• Constantly seeking innovative solutions to making use of service providers.
Technical Skills
• Applicant must have solid understanding of network topologies and technology, and be comfortable with designing and implementing IT networks. Certifications a must.
• Applicant must have a grasp of scripting languages such as python, to perform intermediate level integrations between isolated data-sources, as per businesses’ requirements.
• Ensure a good knowledge of SaaS and cloud integration strategies. Experience with messaging systems and workflow systems advantageous.
• Applicant must have experience with integrating peer systems using RESTful APIs and XML / JSON.
• Knowledge of programming languages are essential. Web-centric languages such as Ruby and PHP, and scripting languages such as Python preferable.
• Applicant must have a solid grasp of Google’s Apps for Education/Business.
• The applicant must have proven experience in managing a large IT asset inventory (1500+), including the movement of assets between their various states, as well as ensuring minimal unused or unusable assets on hand.
Qualifications and Characteristics
• Passion for SPARK Schools’ mission and a focus on what is best for students.
• At least 2 years of project management experience, ideally in an IT or related role, preferable.
• Outstanding project management skills.
• A keen eye for detail and be exhaustive in the administration of information systems, which will ensure accurate and prompt access to information.
• Must be prepared to take on the responsibility of total ownership of the IT department and all its related systems and processes, and be prepared to report to management when required.
• Strong foundational technical skills and knowledge.
• Strong interest in technology in general and have a personal passion for side projects and experimentation, and channel this to enhance learning.
• Speaks and writes clearly and persuasively one-on-one and in groups; interacts well with people from all backgrounds and in all roles.
• Demonstrated customer-service mind-set and desire to support school staff and students.
• Team player who enjoys collaboration.
• Resourceful and resilient in the face of roadblocks.
Experience
• At least 2 years experience in a senior IT administration role.
Compensation: Commensurate with experience.
Position Type: Full Time
Location: Johannesburg, South Africa
Please us the link below to submit your application:
http://sparkschools.workable.com
Last edited: