ICT Operations Manager

If you are an ICT leader who thrives in environments where relationships matter, where your work has real meaning and where you can visibly improve the experience of hundreds of staff and students every day, keep reading. Maybe you have outgrown your current role, or you are looking for a place where your leadership is valued, your ideas are heard and you can lift a function’s maturity with clarity and purpose. Perhaps you want to be closer to end users, build a strong team around you and step into a role that blends operational discipline, coaching, cybersecurity uplift and service excellence. This is your chance to do exactly that. A leading independent school in the Eastern Suburbs is entering a new phase of digital uplift. They are strengthening operational foundations, modernising their Microsoft environment, transitioning from Google to Microsoft 365, reducing key person risk and building a more structured, resilient and service oriented ICT function. They are now seeking an ICT Operations Manager to lead that evolution. The Role In this newly created role, you will lead day to day ICT operations for a values driven, community focused independent school. Reporting to the Director of ICT, you will guide a team of six across service delivery, escalations, infrastructure, platforms and cybersecurity. Around 60 to 70 percent of the role is leadership, planning, prioritisation, coaching and stakeholder engagement. The remaining 30 to 40 percent is hands on technical oversight, Level 3 escalation guidance and supporting strong technical decision making. You will have broad visibility across the school’s digital environment. From service desk performance to cyber readiness, from improving processes to leading the Google to Microsoft 365 transition, your work shapes the rhythm and reliability of the school’s technology experience. This is an environment with strong foundations, a highly respected Director of ICT and a well tenured and collaborative team that is ready for structure, uplift and clear leadership. What You’ll Lead Strengthen ITIL aligned processes across incidents, requests, problems and changes. Lead, coach and develop a team of six ICT professionals, building capability and reducing key person risk. Oversee daily ICT operations across service desk, support, infrastructure and platforms. Drive the transition from Google Docs to Microsoft 365 across staff and students. Lift cybersecurity maturity through monitoring, identity hardening, awareness and incident readiness. Improve infrastructure reliability, disaster recovery, backups and documentation. Lead or support ICT projects including system upgrades, migrations and cyber uplift initiatives; and Build strong relationships with teachers, staff and leadership, ensuring ICT is a trusted, responsive partner. What You’ll Bring Experience leading ICT operations and service delivery teams in complex environments. Background working in schools or education is desirable but not essential, candidates from corporate environments welcome to apply. Strong grounding in infrastructure, networking, systems administration and Microsoft 365. Knowledge of identity management, cybersecurity fundamentals and operational technology. Proven ability to improve processes, mature service delivery and uplift team capability. Calm, steady leadership style with strong organisation, prioritisation and communication skills; and ITIL experience or certification highly regarded. Why This Role This is a role with meaning. Your work directly supports learning, teaching and community every day. You will be part of a warm, inclusive and values aligned environment that balances high expectations with genuine care. It is also a rare opportunity to step into a technology function with strong foundations but clear runway for improvement. You will be shaping structures, uplifting maturity and influencing the future digital environment at a pivotal moment. You will work side by side with an experienced Director of ICT who provides support, guidance and a genuine mentoring relationship. As the role evolves, there is potential for longer term leadership growth and succession pathways. Next Steps For a confidential conversation about the role, please contact Steven Fulop  ***) or Matthew Downey  ***) at xceltium. Every applicant will receive a prompt and respectful response. Please note: any direct or third-party applications will be forwarded to xceltium as the retained search partner on this role. #J-18808-Ljbffr