Information Technology Officer (IT Governance and Risk)

Salary details: £ - £

Grade 10 | Digital Traded Services, Education Data Hub | Field-based with travel

Education Data Hub is looking for a confident, approachable and school-focused adviser to join our Technical Team and help schools strengthen their digital resilience in a fast-changing technological landscape.

This role is not about being the most technical person in the room. It is about being able to listen well, ask the right questions, build trust with school staff and translate digital, cyber and governance expectations into clear, practical advice that schools can act on.

About the role

Schools are managing increasing expectations around cyber security, safeguarding, digital leadership, procurement, filtering and monitoring, data protection and the Department for Education Digital and Technology Standards. Many school leaders and operational staff know what they want to achieve, but need support to understand the risks, prioritise next steps and work confidently with their IT providers and internal teams.

As Information Technology Officer – IT Governance and Risk, you will work directly with schools, academies and Multi Academy Trusts, helping them make sense of digital resilience, cyber maturity and governance requirements. You will provide advice, support reviews and assurance activity, help schools understand where they are now, and guide them towards practical improvements.

You will be part of a growing traded service that brings together IT support, cyber security, governance, data protection and education-sector knowledge to provide joined-up support for schools. The role will involve visiting schools and trusts, attending events and conferences, and working closely with colleagues to develop services that meet the real needs of education settings.

What you will be doing

· Building positive, trusted relationships with schools, academies and Multi Academy Trusts.

· Providing clear, practical advice on digital resilience, cyber awareness, governance, risk and relevant Department for Education digital expectations.

· Helping school leaders and operational staff understand where improvements may be needed and what practical next steps could look like.

· Supporting reviews, assurance activity and risk discussions in a way that feels accessible and useful to non-technical audiences.

· Working with colleagues across IT support, cyber security, data protection and education services to provide joined-up advice.

· Helping schools understand when an issue should be handled locally, by their IT provider, by specialist support, or through leadership decision-making.

· Contributing to the development of guidance, resources and service improvements that help schools become more confident and resilient.

· Representing the service at school visits, promotional events and education conferences.

About you

We are interested in people who understand schools and can communicate well with the people who work in them. You may have worked in a school, academy trust, local authority, advisory role, consultancy role, education service, safeguarding support role, business management role, school operations role or similar environment.

You do not need to be an IT specialist. Technical knowledge can be developed with support from the wider team. What matters most is that you are confident talking to people, able to explain unfamiliar information clearly, and comfortable helping schools move from uncertainty to practical action.

You will bring strong interpersonal skills, sound judgement, curiosity and the ability to build credibility with a wide range of people. You will be able to listen carefully, spot patterns, ask thoughtful questions and help translate risks, standards and recommendations into something meaningful for school leaders and staff.

We are looking for someone who can

· Communicate clearly with school staff, leaders, governors, suppliers and colleagues.

· Build trust quickly and maintain positive working relationships.

· Advise, guide, coach and influence others without relying on jargon.

· Understand the pressures schools are under and tailor advice to their context.

· Work collaboratively with technical colleagues and draw on their expertise when needed.

· Organise information, follow up actions and keep a clear focus on service quality.

· Stay curious about emerging technology, cyber risk and digital change in education.

· Represent the service professionally and confidently in school-facing settings.

Why join us?

This is an opportunity to work at the point where education, technology, safeguarding, cyber resilience and service development meet. You will help shape a growing service that supports schools to make informed decisions, meet changing expectations and become more confident in managing digital risk.

You will join a supportive team with a mix of technical, cyber, governance and education-sector experience. You will not be expected to know everything on day one. We are looking for someone who can connect with schools, learn quickly, work collaboratively and bring a practical, customer-focused approach to helping education settings become more resilient.

This is a field-based role and will involve travel to schools, Multi Academy Trusts, promotional events and education conferences.

Provisional Interview Date: Week commencing 3rd August 2026

Due to this post having access to children and/or vulnerable adults, the successful candidate will be required to undertake a Disclosure and Barring Service check. The possession of a criminal record will not necessarily prevent an applicant from obtaining this post, as all cases are judged individually according to the nature of the role and information provided. Click here to see our policy on criminal background checks.

Apply now and take the first step towards a fulfilling career with us! By joining Derbyshire County Council you will have access to a range of amazing rewards and employee benefits, including our generous annual leave scheme, excellent local government pension and fantastic employee discounts. To discover more detail about the rewards and benefits available to you, click here

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This role currently offers hybrid working options which will be to subject service needs, there'll be an opportunity to discuss working arrangements for this position at interview.

Important: Derbyshire County Council holds a sponsorship licence, but this role does not offer visa sponsorship. Please apply only if you already have the right to work in the UK without sponsorship, as applications that do not meet this requirement will be rejected.

We welcome applications from individuals who share our values — being Collaborative, Innovative, Empowered and Accountable. These values describe who we are and what we stand for as a council. They help shape our culture, encourage consistent behaviour and guide how we work together to make a positive difference for both our employees and the residents we serve.