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Head of IT

Cheltenham

Full-time

Business Unit: Customer Operations

Salary: Circa £80,000 (dependent on experience)

Overview:

To provide vision and leadership for delivering, developing and implementing Information Technology within UCAS. The Head of IT directs the planning and implementation of Enterprise IT systems in support of business operations in order to improve cost effectiveness, service quality, and business development. The Head of IT is accountable for all aspects of the UCAS' Information Technology and Systems.

Role responsibilities:

Strategy and planning

  • Develop, maintain and review UCAS' IT strategy by working collaboratively with business units, external partners and suppliers and technology colleagues and ensure strategic alignment between the IT strategy and business needs.
  • Lead IT strategic and operational planning to enable the achievement of business goals by fostering innovation, prioritising IT initiatives, and coordinating the evaluation, deployment, and management of current and future IT systems across the organisation.
  • Develop and maintain an appropriate IT organisational structure that supports the needs of UCAS and regularly assess and recommend where improvements or re-engineering of systems and/or processes needs to take place.
  • Identify opportunities for the appropriate and cost-effective investment of financial resources in IT systems and resources, including staffing, sourcing, purchasing, and in-house development.
  • Establish and maintain prioritisation of systems investment that aligns to business priorities; ensuring that technology-enabled change is tracked and measured and that technology-related business risks for the business unit are identified, monitored and appropriately mitigated.
  • Work collaboratively with other IT colleagues to take advantage of new technologies to use as a catalyst for change and innovation, actively driving that change with key business sponsors.
  • Develop, track, and manage the information technology annual operating and capital budgets.
  • Develop business case justifications and cost/benefit analyses for IT spending and initiatives.
  • Lead the development and execution of an enterprise-wide disaster recovery plan.
  • Participate in strategic and operational governance processes as a member of the senior management team.

Acquisition and deployment

  • Provide the technical expertise and leadership to ensure effective contract management of external partners and outsourced business processes.
  • Coordinate and facilitate consultation with stakeholders to define business and systems requirements for new technology implementations.
  • Approve, prioritise, and lead projects and the project portfolio where they relate to the selection, acquisition, development, and installation of technology.
  • Review hardware and software acquisition and maintenance contracts and pursue master agreements to capitalise on economies of scale.
  • Define and communicate corporate plans, policies, and standards for the organisation for acquiring, implementing, and operating IT systems.

Operational management

  • Ensure continuous delivery of IT services through oversight of service level agreements with end users and monitoring of IT systems performance.
  • Lead, motivate and manage a team of IT managers and IT professionals who themselves will manage staff and/or work in cross-functional project environments.
  • Ensure IT system operation adheres to applicable laws and regulations and processes/procedures are full documented.
  • To be the expert and adviser on all technology matters, bringing the most up to date and tested thinking to the table ensuring that technology is used as a driver for change and innovation. Advise, counsel, and educate leadership teams on their competitive or financial impact.
  • Promote and oversee strategic relationships between internal IT resources and external entities, including government, vendors, and partner organisations.
  • Supervise recruitment, development, retention, and organisation of all IT staff in accordance with corporate budgetary objectives and personnel policies.

Primary customers and stakeholders:

  • Chief Operating Officer
  • Head of Admissions Services
  • Contact Centre Manager
  • UCAS Executive

To apply, please send your CV and a covering letter (clearly stating your salary expectations) to jobs@ucas.ac.uk

UCAS values diversity and is committed to equality of opportunity

UCAS does not discriminate on grounds of age, nationality, race, ethnic origin, religion, gender, sexual orientation or disability