Executive Summary
Technology executive with 26+ years of experience leading enterprise-scale technology strategy, platform transformation, and operational excellence across education and government. I lead at the intersection of strategy, operational rigour, and human-centred design — building AI governance frameworks, directing large-scale infrastructure programs, and transforming team culture. My work is anchored in outcomes that matter: for learners, for organisations, and for the people who depend on technology to do their best work.
Key Capabilities
ICT strategy authorship & execution
AI governance & responsible technology
PMO establishment & portfolio management
Board & ELT-level risk advisory
Large-scale infrastructure program delivery
Service model transformation & ITSM design
Automation-first platform design
HR technology strategy & AI roadmaps
High-performing team transformation
Mentoring, coaching & capability uplift
Community & stakeholder engagement
Vendor & procurement management
Signature Achievements
🎯
True North ICT Strategy — Hills Grammar School
Authored a multi-year ICT strategy transforming technology from a maintenance function into a strategic partner in the school's educational vision. Three pillars, multi-year investment plan, embedded in school governance.
🚨
COVID-19 ICT Response — NSW Department of Education
Led the statewide ICT incident coordination response enabling learning continuity for 800,000+ students. 40,000+ emergency devices deployed. Trusted community relationships built under pressure.
🏗️
ICTOR Program — NSW Department of Education
Established and led a multi-million-dollar ICT operational readiness program for new NSW public schools under a $7.9B government infrastructure commitment.
🤖
AI Governance & Automation — Hills Grammar School
Deployed MS Copilot, ChatGPT governance frameworks, chatbot service desk, and automated device lifecycle management. Parents actively commended the AI policy and communication approach.
🎓
$16M+ SaaS Transformation — University of Sydney
Directed the education portfolio: Canvas LMS migration, learning analytics, curriculum mapping platform, and AWS integrations. Standardised the PMO methodology for the institution.
Career History
ELT Member · Sydney NSW · 8 direct reports
Hills Grammar is an independent K–12 school in Sydney's Hills District. As Director of IT and Executive Leadership Team member, I own the school's technology direction across infrastructure, AI, data governance, and community platforms.
- True North ICT Strategy 2025–2030 — three-pillar roadmap (Educational Excellence, Operational Efficiency, Community Engagement) with multi-year investment plans and governance structures
- Education Application Review Board — values-embedded governance process filtering every technology adoption through educational and pastoral criteria
- AI capability program — MS Copilot deployment, ChatGPT governance framework, chatbot service desk, device lifecycle automation via MS AutoPilot/Intune
- Team transformation — restructured roles, introduced DevOps and Agile, built service catalogue and PMO; team shifted from reactive to trusted strategic partner within 12 months
- Cyber security uplift — MFA, phishing simulation, external audit program, Cyber Security Response Protocol, and board-level risk reporting
ANZ and Japan
A vendor-side role deepening commercial perspective on how technology platforms are built, sold, and adopted at scale across education.
- Co-defined, developed, and launched EdVision — a holistic Microsoft + Lenovo digital ecosystem for K–12, university, and government education across ANZ
- Delivered ICT maturity assessment tools, hybrid learning platforms, and professional learning programs for educators and executives
- Provided strategic ICT advisory and thought leadership to educational organisations across Australia and Japan
ELT Member · Sydney NSW · 6 direct, 170+ indirect reports
The largest education IT department in the Southern Hemisphere — 2,200+ schools, 800,000 students, 65,000 teachers across NSW.
- COVID-19 ICT Incident Coordination Response — formed and led the ICR Team; enabled learning continuity for 800,000+ students through emergency device deployment (40,000+ units) and rapid digital transformation
- ICTOR Program — multi-million-dollar ICT operational readiness initiative for new and refurbished NSW public schools under the government's $7.9B infrastructure commitment
- Delivered ICT policy, governance frameworks, and technical standards; advised NSW Parliament and senior government officials on digital education strategy
- Managed concurrent capital works and ICT programs including $26M annual device rollout, server refresh across 2,000+ sites, and ICT operational readiness uplift
- Directed $16M+ SaaS transformation portfolio: Canvas LMS migration, enterprise curriculum mapping, learning analytics, and survey platform renewal; delivered AWS integrations and standardised PMO methodology
- Managed the Learning Space Development Program — AV/ICT infrastructure upgrades across teaching spaces; established BAU cyclical rollout model
- ICT Service Relationship Manager, NSW DoE (2014–2015) — led Level 2/3 ICT support across 511 school sites; created the NSW Schools Software Catalogue (still in active use)
- ICT Relationship Manager, TAFE NSW (2013–2014) — delivered ICT uplift projects and operational support across 300+ campuses
- TAFE Hunter roles (2005–2013) — available on request
Qualifications & Certifications
Formal
- Advanced Diploma of Management (Distinction)
- Diploma of IT: Network Engineering (Distinction)
- Certificate IV in Training & Assessment
- Certificate IV in Business (Frontline Management)
Professional Certifications
- MSP (Managing Successful Programs) Practitioner
- PRINCE2 Practitioner
- ITIL OSA v3 & Foundation v3
- Kepner & Fourie: Problem Root Cause Analysis
References available on request.
I'm happy to connect you directly with executive leaders from Hills Grammar, NSW Department of Education, or the University of Sydney.
adamwollins@me.com