Head of IT

Job Description

Job Category :IT
Location : Preston Campus, University of Central Lancashire
Hours Per Week : 37.00
Start Date : Immediate Start
Start Time :08:45
End Time :17:15
Salary: £567.49

This role is a critical member of the IT Senior Management Team, providing senior responsibility for the delivery of core IT capabilities through the effective management of multiple service functions, and acting as an effective ambassador for IT in liaison with other areas of the University. Working with the Executive Director, other IT Heads, and Senior Stakeholders in the business, the role holder will be key to ensuring the successful implementation of the University strategy for information and technology, enabling, and providing modern, scalable, and secure integrated platforms to support University business, including blended on-campus and online learning and teaching, research, administration, estate operations and commercial activity.

1. Lead and manage the enabling IT to the University, including direct management of service management, end user services, infrastructure, and security teams, ensuring services and products are delivered to agreed service levels.
2. Make a leading contribution to the development and delivery of the University strategy for digital, information and technology, by identifying and delivering new capabilities and solutions to enhance IT services to students, staff and other key stakeholders.
3. Support the organisation’s transition to a product-based target operating model, advocating and championing the benefits of agile and continuous improvement approaches to stakeholders.
4. Ensure the development and maintenance of the IT service catalogue and knowledge library on behalf of the University, through effective delegation and liaison with product owners and groups, architecture and governance leaders, and other senior stakeholders.
5. Define and manage service level agreements for all relevant internal and externally provided IT functions, and provide visibility and transparency of IT service performance through the provision of measures and metrics that relate to quality, business outputs and outcomes.
6. Provide highly effective supplier management practices, leveraging maximum benefits from a diverse range of suppliers and partners to drive value for money and exploit opportunities for innovation.
7. Ensure the effective management, governance, communication and oversight of critical ITSM practices including Major Incident, Change Enablement, Service Configuration Management, Service Continuity Management and Problem Management.
8. Provide leadership for the consistent and effective adoption of IT service management practices and approaches across all teams and the wider organisation.
9. Proactively measure and monitor risks and issues related to IT delivery and its dependencies, liaising with and reporting to senior stakeholders within and outside of IT ensuring a transparent and collaborative approach to mitigation and resolution.

Education/ Qualifications
Master’s or bachelor’s degree in business, computer science, computer engineering, electrical engineering, system analysis or a related field of study, or equivalent experience.

Work Experience

Extensive demonstrable leadership skills and experience in building and managing successful, high- performing individuals and teams.

Experience in leading the successful implementation and
adoption of ITIL aligned Service Management within a Service Delivery operation

Experience of working with external suppliers, managing large scale contracts and performance management

A long history of building strong working relationships with a diverse range of customers, using these relationships to deliver products and services valued by these customers.

Experience of communicating, influencing and representing technical leadership in both external and internal meetings and forums.

Experience of managing ITSM tools and approaches across multiple teams and organisational levels