Director of IT

University of the West of Scotland – IT Department

Paisley Campus (with other travel to different campuses when required)

Full time: 35 hours a week

We have an excellent opportunity within our IT department for an experienced Director of IT to join the team on a permanent basis. This role is pivotal in setting and leading the strategic direction of the digital capability of the University to ensure that students and colleagues are appropriately equipped to achieve their academic and operational goals across a complex multi-campus delivery model. The Director will implement a framework to ensure the operational team develop their objectives. They will also develop strong relationships with both internal and external stakeholders.

The director will build strong networks across all academic and professional services functions and be an effective influencer with stakeholder groups to support achievement the University’s strategic aims. They will be a trusted advisor to the Executive and committees of Court providing strategic insight and assurance of effective risk mitigation.

The director of IT will develop and continually enhance strong networks and become a trusted advisor to the Vice Chancellor’s Executive and the wider leadership team (including Deans of School and Directors/Heads of professional services departments) to gain support for and facilitate the delivery of the IT plan. They will also have a significant role in chairing university-wide fora and in playing a leading role in cross-university projects.

The successful candidate should have the following:

• Bachelor's or Master’s degree in information technology, Computer Science, or a related field.
• Proven experience and track record of significant achievement in senior IT leadership roles, preferably in a similar industry or organisational setting.
• Experience of leading and managing resources, challenging workloads and changing priorities.
• Extensive knowledge and understanding of current and emerging digital trends.
• Leadership skills and capable of establishing high-level effective networks across the University and with a range of external organisations & stakeholders.
• Excellent communication skills.
• Strong negotiating skills to execute procurement projects that demonstrate high levels of value for money.

About us

The University of the West of Scotland is one of Scotland’s largest and most dynamic modern universities. Our reach across the country, together with our London campus, means that UWS is a significant force in global knowledge creation, innovation, and a leading provider of undergraduate, postgraduate and research degree education. Our degrees provide students with a transformational experience; equipping them with highly sought-after graduate skills that set them up for global success in world-leading sectors, industries and businesses.

With cutting-edge courses, modern pedagogy and practical knowledge, we enable our students and staff to experience the joy of learning, teaching, research and innovation, and apply their knowledge for the benefit of others.

UWS is officially ranked by Times Higher Education in the top 200 universities worldwide under 50 years old (2023 Young University Rankings).

Our professional services teams are the backbone of UWS, providing robust and innovative solutions to support the vast range of work across learning and teaching, and research and innovation. You will join a supportive and dedicated team, playing a key role in a range of work that will help drive forward our ambition to deliver world-leading research, and graduates who will design, shape and build a new future.

We offer our staff a caring and supportive environment, across five campuses, and a competitive benefits package which includes:

• 31 days of annual leave, plus a further 12 days for public/university holidays
• An additional days leave on your birthday
• Defined benefit contribution pension scheme (currently 19.3%), including death in service benefits upon joining the scheme.
• A flexible approach to working pattern and work-life balance
• Employee discount scheme across 3,500 retailers
• Fitness facilities across our campuses
• Access to a range of health and wellbeing resources, including occupational health, physiotherapy and access to our Employee Assistance Programme
• Professional, career and research development opportunities.

Interview date: TBC

The University reserves the right to shorten/extend the closing date of any position where a high/low volume of suitable applications are received. Therefore, if you are interested in this role, an early application would be encouraged.

You can find out more about how the University uses your personal data as part of the recruitment process by looking at the UWS HR Applicant Privacy Notice at www.uws.ac.uk

UWS is committed to equality and diversity and welcomes applications from underrepresented groups.

UWS is a “Disability Confident” employer.

University of the West of Scotland is a registered Scottish charity, no. SC002520.