ICT Manager - Victorian School of Languages

The Victorian School of Languages (VSL) is a government school and state-wide service of the Department of Education and Training which provides language programs from Foundation to Year 12 (VCE) to students from all three sectors (Government, Independent, and Catholic). The school offers Languages in face-to-face and distance education classes to students who cannot study the language at their home school. The key directions are the DET Language policies and the 2015 The Education State document. 

Values 

The values that underpin the development and delivery of the VSL's Languages provision are: 

• Respect - understanding that languages are a way to increase lifelong opportunities for learners; 
• Commitment 
  • to students from all communities and socio-economic backgrounds to study a language of their choice;
  • to enhancing student well-being
  • to improving outcomes for every student, in every class, at every VSL centre and in all communities
• Courage - to continue to ensure the VSL remains a leader in languages as its specialised field of endeavour; 
• Teamwork - to support our communities to embrace diversity and strength.

Environmental Context 

• The school teaches 49 languages in 39 Centres (campuses) across Victoria. Students come from both Government and non-Government schools. Classes are held outside school hours usually on Saturdays throughout the Melbourne metropolitan area, country and regional Victoria. The VSL Centres are organised in twelve areas, each under the administration of a Leading Teacher (Area Manager) and Centre classes range from Foundation to Year 12.
• The school teaches 13 languages via distance education (Arabic, Chinese, French, German, Greek, Hindi, Indonesian, Italian, Japanese, Latin, Punjabi, Spanish and Vietnamese). The levels range from Year 5 to Year 12 (VCE). The teaching is carried out through workbooks, video-conferencing, online courses and regular seminars. 
• The VSL School Council, which comprises elected and nominated members, provides expert and broadly based guidance and leadership to the school.
• The school responds to Language needs of new and emerging communities and changing demands/demographics.

KSC 1: Demonstrated experience in providing strategic ICT leadership within a complex educational or organisational environment, including the capacity to develop and implement long-term technology strategies and roadmaps aligned with organisational priorities, strategic plans and aligned with Department of Education policy.

KSC 2: Demonstrated ability to establish and maintain effective ICT governance frameworks, manage technology projects through structured planning and delivery processes, and strengthen business continuity, cyber security and operational risk management across ICT functions aligned with Department of Education policy.

KSC 3: High-level knowledge of ICT infrastructure, enterprise systems, software development environments, cloud-based services and network operations, together with the capacity to provide effective oversight of technical operations and external service providers.

KSC 4: Demonstrated understanding of contemporary educational technologies and e-learning environments, including the ability to support and enhance online, blended and distance education delivery through scalable and innovative ICT solutions.

KSC 5 : Highly developed people leadership, communication and interpersonal skills, including the ability to lead organisational change, build collaborative relationships with executive leadership, technical staff, teachers and external stakeholders, and promote a culture of continuous improvement and responsive service delivery.

This position includes 20 days annual leave taken during school vacation breaks.  Superannuation is paid in addition to the annual salary.  This position requires15 days attendance during school vacation breaks.

An education support class position supports the educational services being provided to students but must not include duties of teaching as defined in clause 2.6.1 of the Education and Training Reform Act 2006 (Vic) or its successor.  Supervision of students cannot be required except where it is an integral part of the employee's position or involves supervision of students individually or in small groups, in controlled circumstances, where the responsibility for students remains clearly with a teacher.

The Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Manager provides strategic leadership, governance and operational oversight of ICT services across the Victorian School of Languages (VSL), ensuring alignment with Department of Education policies and the School Strategic Plan.

The ICT Manager will work with the school leadership team to guide how technology supports teaching, learning, collaboration and organisational effectiveness across VSL's diverse face-to-face, online and distance education programs.

The role is responsible for developing and implementing a long-term ICT strategy that delivers secure, reliable and innovative technology services while supporting the evolving needs of students, teachers and administrative staff. This includes leadership of digital learning initiatives, cyber security, business continuity planning, infrastructure development and ICT service delivery.

Working closely with school leaders, teachers, technical staff and external service providers, the ICT Manager will identify emerging technologies including AI and translate them into practical, sustainable solutions that enhance educational outcomes and operational efficiency.

The ideal candidate will combine strong leadership and stakeholder management skills with strategic thinking, technical expertise and a commitment to continuous improvement. They will view technology as an enabler of excellence helping teachers teach, students learn and the organisation thrive.

Operating Environment

The Victorian School of Languages operates within a Microsoft 365 enterprise environment, including: 

• Microsoft Entra ID with hybrid Active Directory
• Microsoft Intune for Apple iPad device management
• Microsoft Teams and Teams Phone for collaboration and communications
• SharePoint Online for document management and collaboration
• Hyper-V virtual server infrastructure
• Department of Education standard Cisco network infrastructure

Key Responsibilities

The IT Manager will:

Strategic Leadership & Governance

• Develop and implement an ICT Strategy and Roadmap aligned with the VSL Strategic Plan.
• Provide expert advice to the Principal and Leadership Team on ICT strategy, investment and emerging technologies.
• Establish governance frameworks for ICT projects, systems and service delivery.

ICT Operations & Infrastructure
 

• Oversee the performance, security and reliability of all ICT infrastructure, systems and cloud services.
• Lead infrastructure planning to ensure scalability and sustainability for future organisational growth.
• Manage software implementation, system upgrades and technology lifecycle planning.

Cyber Security & Risk Management
 

• Lead cyber security initiatives in accordance with Department of Education requirements.
• Develop and maintain business continuity and disaster recovery plans.
• Identify, assess and mitigate operational and organisational ICT risks.

Project & People Leadership
 

• Lead and coordinate ICT staff, contractors and external service providers.
• Ensure ICT projects are delivered using effective planning, governance and project management methodologies.
• Build productive relationships with school leaders, teachers and support staff to ensure technology meets educational and operational needs.

Digital Learning & Innovation
 

• Support and enhance the VSL Distance Education platform and Virtual New Arrivals Program.
• Evaluate and implement innovative digital learning technologies that strengthen blended and online learning.
• Promote continuous improvement and a culture of innovation across ICT services.
   

Individuals with the aptitude, experience and/or qualifications to fulfill the specific requirements of the position.

The department is committed to diversity and inclusion and developing a workforce that is representative of the community we service. We value diversity and inclusion in all forms - culture, gender, religion, ethnicity, LGBTIQA+, disability and neurodiversity. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander candidates are strongly encouraged to apply for roles within the Department. The Department recognises that the provision of safe, respectful and inclusive workplaces is essential to high performance and promotes flexible work and diversity across all schools and Department workplaces. It is our policy to provide reasonable adjustments for staff with disability (see Workplace adjustment guidelines).

Additional support and advice on the recruitment process is available to Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander candidates from the Koorie Outcomes Division (KOD) via *******@education.vic.gov.au

Applicants seeking part-time employment are encouraged to apply for any teaching service position and, if they are the successful candidate, request a reduced time fraction. Such requests will be negotiated on a case-by-case basis and will be subject to the operational requirements of the school.

Victorian government schools are child safe environments. Our schools actively promote the safety and wellbeing of all students, and all school staff are committed to protecting students from abuse or harm in the school environment, in accordance with their legal obligations including child safe standards. All schools have a Child Safety Code of Conduct consistent with the department's exemplar available at:

 https://www2.education.vic.gov.au/pal/child-safe-standards/policy

The department's employees commit to upholding the department's Values: Responsiveness, Integrity, Impartiality, Accountability, Respect, Leadership and Human Rights. The department's Values complement each school's own values and underpin the behaviours the community expects of Victorian public sector employees, including those who work in Victorian Government Schools. Information on the department values is available at:

 https://www2.education.vic.gov.au/pal/values-department-vps-school-employees/overview

Applicants are required to submit their application online and must address the key selection criteria as well as providing a cover letter and cv.  Details of employment referees should also be included in the application.

Applicants should visit the website www.vsl.vic.edu.au for additional information on the Victorian School of Languages.

The incumbent will generally be working at the Victorian School of Languages Head Office located at L20 Otter Street Collingwood 3066.

• All staff employed by the Department and schools have access to a broad range of employment conditions and working arrangements.
• Appointment of successful applicants will be made subject to a satisfactory pre-employment conditions check.
• A probationary period may apply during the first year of employment and induction and support programs provided.
• Detailed information on all terms and conditions of employment is available on the Department's Human Resources website at http://www.education.vic.gov.au/hrweb/Pages/default.aspx