DIRECTOR OF IT SERVICES
CANDIDATE INFORMATION PACK
Welcome
From Mark Gee, Chief Information Officer The University of Birmingham Director of IT Services proposition
Secondly the role has three direct reports, Head of Research Computing, Head of Infrastructure and Head of Service Delivery, accounting for 60% of the IT function at the University (with the rest reporting to the CIO). There is a hybrid delivery model encompassing 3rd party providers who will need to be managed alongside the internal teams.
Thank you for taking an interest in this important and exciting role with the University of Birmingham senior leadership team. The Director of IT Services, reporting to the CIO, Mark Gee is a replacement for the incumbent who has moved on to a CIO position at Liverpool University. This is a key time for the University with investment in the main Edgbaston Campus in the UK and in their new overseas operation in Dubai. This investment includes substantial technology investment over a 6 year timeframe, to support the core areas of teaching, research and University operations (finance and HR). There is also investment into digital technology to improve and enhance the student journey for the 38,000 students. Transition to Cloud is underway and approximately a third complete and will enhance the current mixed infrastructure, including modern & legacy systems and the Oracle HR & Finance function. The Director of IT Services role holds two key functions at the University, firstly to support the CIO in Strategy and Planning for the investment into key digital services. Working as an evangelist for new technologies, building key stakeholder relationships and promoting the digital technologies that will enhance services across the University Estate.
There are three main areas of responsibility;
• Education service - A good suite of existing tools, however demand has sky rocketed and new and amended services are planned. • Research - 40% of UoBs income is driven through research and with constant innovation in High Performance Computing and Digital Research capability, there is a requirement for continuous improvement in this area. • University Operations - Including the movement to cloud, replacement of legacy systems, data flow, video conferencing, network refresh and day to day infrastructure. The Director of IT Services role is an exciting and rewarding position helping the University of Birmingham to shape and deliver their business strategy into 2026. The higher education sector in the UK is a competitive and quickly evolving sector and with the addition of the new Dubai campus this is sure to be an interesting and challenging role.
The University of Birmingham
The
University was established in 1900, and has a pioneering history including being the country’s first civic University, the first Medical
School and the first Faculty of Commerce. The University offered the first ever sport degree in 1946 and became the first University to open a secondary school in 2015. In 2018, we also opened a new campus in Dubai, the first Russell Group University to do so. Today, the University of Birmingham is ranked in the top 100 globally and in the top 20 of all domestic league tables. The quality of what we do at Birmingham is widely recognised. The University’s prolific research portfolio has produced 2 Prime Ministers and 11 Nobel Prize winners, including 3 in 2016 for Physics and Chemistry. The University’s School of Sport, Exercise and Rehabilitation Sciences is ranked 6th in the world for its research.
The University of Birmingham is the largest of 5 Higher Education institutions in Birmingham with 38,000 students and 8,000 staff. Our heritage as the original ‘redbrick’ is combined with one of the most compelling and ambitious agendas in Higher Education. Quite simply, at Birmingham we make things happen. The University is a founding member of the Russell Group (UK) and Universitas 21 (global) groups of research-intensive universities and its alumni population exceeds 300,000, spread far and wide across the globe. The University’s campus spans over 250 acres, nestled in leafy green Edgbaston, just three miles from Birmingham city centre. The University is home to the Barber Institute of Fine Arts, housing works by Van Gogh, Picasso and Monet; and the 100 metre high Joseph Chamberlain Clock Tower (affectionately known as ‘Old Joe’) a prominent landmark visible from many parts of the city. We have been integral to some of the greatest scientific discoveries of recent times, such as the Higgs Boson and Gravitational Waves, and are pioneering new approaches to tackling some of the biggest global challenges facing society; from antibiotic resistance and maternal health to conflict resolution and access to education.
Values and Behaviours
Working effectively with others, using guidance, support and advice as appropriate. Understanding the broader context and how your own work impacts the local team and University.
COLLABORATIVE
Continuously reflecting on individual and team practices, recommending and adopting creative approaches to make improvements. Actively seeking and participating in learning and development opportunities.
INNOVATIVE
Reliable and highly motivated. Providing consistently high levels of customer service.
EXCELLENT
Self-aware and empathetic to the impact of your behaviour on others and how others behaviour impacts you. An ability to embrace different perspectives.
INCLUSIVE
Flexible and adaptable in approach and taking responsibility for achieving individual and team goals. Seeking advice when needed, and possessing a willingness to take calculated risks when appropriate whilst learning from mistakes.
CONFIDENT
IT Services is responsible for...
• Development of strategies, policies and standards covering the future development and usage of IT within the University • Implementation of effective quality processes based on the ITIL framework of best practice • Data centres and the ongoing operation of the University systems and network • The University’s network infrastructure across campus and links to the national JANET network and the Internet • Large central systems infrastructure (such as identity management services and email hubs) • Business systems that are essential to the ongoing management of the University • University website, intranet, portal and mobile apps • Services in support of teaching, learning and research (such as digital library services and the institutional virtual learning environment) • High performance computing facilities and the Grid, in support of research • Student computer clusters located in learning centres and hubs across campus • IT Service Desk services to assist staff and students with the use of these services and resolve queries • • Desktop IT support for staff
IT Services
About IT Services IT Services is responsible for sustainable provision of core IT infrastructure and application services across the University that support academic research and learning and teaching Central and College-based teams in IT Services work to deliver new applications and services, or enhancements to existing capabilities. Together, IT Services teams strive to provide up-to-date, effective and customer-focused services to students, staff, researchers, visitors and partners.
Target Organisation
Chief Information Officer (CIO)
Head of Information Security
Director of IT Services
Security Operations Centre (SOC)
Head Of Products
Head of Research Computing
Head of Customer Engagement
Head of Architecture & Design
Head of Service Management
Head of Digital Portfolio & Projects
Head of Infrastructure
Focus Teams
Research Computing
Customer Engagement
Architecture & Design
Service Management
Digital Portfolio & Projects
Infrastructure
• Teaching and Learning • Collaboration & Communication
• Engagement
• Business Partnering
• Principles & Governance
• Service Delivery
• Portfolio
• Network & Data Centres • On Premise & Cloud Infrastructure • Device And User Support
Management
• Architecture,
• Service
infrastructure and systems
• Engagement &
• Data Architecture
Management
• Project
Communications
Management
• Blueprint for IT
• Service Support
• University
• Research Software
• Customer
• Resource
Administration
Experience (CX)
• Common reusable designs
• Supplier
Management
Relationship Management
• Intelligent Campus
• Business Analysis (BA)
• Finance and Procurement
• Automation
• Data Mgmt, Integrations
• Quality Assurance ( QA )
• Change
and Business Intelligence
Management
Increased use of third parties: resource, consultancy, cloud services, managed services, sector research and insights, data processing and modelling.
The Director of IT Services role is an exciting and rewarding position helping the University of Birmingham to shape and deliver their business strategy into 2026. The higher education sector in the UK is a competitive and quickly evolving sector and with the addition of the new Dubai campus this is sure to be an interesting and challenging role. Main Duties 1. Lead the day to day delivery of operational IT services • Responsible for the efficient and cost-effective operational delivery of ICT services. • Build and maintain a highly committed and motivated team, with strong customer focus and highly effective team working. • Manage, update and agree service agreements and key metrics reporting for core IT services – striving for high customer satisfaction levels. • Create a culture of continuous improvement across the range of IT services and their effective provision. • Lead the service management group, including the helpdesk, following ITIL based process in the delivery of all support and end user services. 2. Ensure effective management of application and infrastructure IT projects, delivering on time, to budget and to quality, working closely with the projects team to ensure that standards and policies are followed. 3. Create and maintain a high performance, collaborative and open culture within and across teams. 4. Manage effective and transparent demand management for IT services and IT development, looking after the balance required between operational support and new projects. 5. Ensure teams maintain a view on current trends and new opportunities in IT, evaluate these and take these forward or make recommendations in in support of IT and University goals and aspirations. 6. Ensure teams adopt good practices and effective productivity tools to assist in the delivery of high quality and efficient services. 7. Ensure that systems and infrastructure are maintained and updated to maintain high levels of reliability and support from suppliers and third parties.
Job Description
Job Summary The Director of IT Services is a key role within ITS and the University as there is growing reliance and investment in digital technologies , enabling new ways of teaching, collaborating and researching. The role will be instrumental in achieving these enhancements, by supporting existing services and shaping and delivering new services, this will involve working closely with key stakeholders across the university, ITS colleagues and professional services and academic areas, focusing on the delivery of services and key change projects. The Director of IT Services will work closely with the CIO on strategy and planning and will directly manage the service delivery and development of applications and infrastructure elements of the IT service. The role holder will be pivotal in ensuring effective and coherent delivery and evolution of all the mainstream IT services and as the senior line manager for key IT services, the role will entail significant people and organisational management and will require service review and adjustment on a continuous basis in response to changing University needs, evolving technological capabilities, and other economic and environmental factors.
8. Work closely with the CIO, and other senior stakeholders across the university, in the ongoing shaping and delivery of the university’s digital strategy, as well as taking on ownership of the delivery of certain application and infrastructure elements. 9. Ensure that new and amended services are introduced smoothly and that all ongoing support and operational activities and costs are factored in correctly. 10. Coach and mentor staff, developing the managers and leaders of the future. Develop skills, support and successions plans for each area. 11.Manage IT operational budgets, including both internal and supplier costs, hardware and software, as well as cloud services. 12.Working closely with CIO and finance, support longer term budget planning for bother operational and investment budgets. 13.Work closely with key stakeholders across the university to understand their needs, and provide a conduit into IT for service support, improvement and various project activities. 14. Deputise for the CIO as required in meetings, presentations, committees and otherwise as required. 15. Other duties as may be required in support of IT or the wider university.
• Capable of working with and earning the respect of senior stakeholders. • Ability to communicate effectively with people at all levels – both inside IT and across the wider university. • Ability to prepare high quality outputs such as papers for senior committees, reports and presentations. • Experience in managing budgets – both operational and investment. • Ability to build relationships at different levels of the organisation, as well as within the local team by fostering an inclusive approach. • Ability to deal with situations that require compromises, whether technical, financial or personnel. • Experience of working with technology suppliers, both in procurement and delivery of services. • Excellent presentation skills and the ability to create persuasive and accessible presentations to non-specialist staff at many levels of the organisation.
Person Specification
Required Knowledge, Skills, Qualifications, Experience
Desirable:
Essential:
• Experience of building and running strong technology teams within a large and diverse organisation.
• A good understanding of the range of IT services covered, including infrastructure, applications and service management in a large IT function.
• Experience of acting as chair of governance committees or boards.
• Track record of IT operational delivery, across multiple IT disciplines.
• Demonstrable high-level strategic thinking and planning skills.
• Broad knowledge of IT, including networks, infrastructure, end user computing and cloud. • Ability to lead, manage and motivate a large team, through both personal interaction and the setting of tone and culture. • Ability to identify and acknowledge the need for inclusivity within teams as well as through the services being offered.
• Demonstrable commitment to leadership development of self and others. • Experience in migrating to and supporting cloud-based services. Knowledge of the Higher Education sector.
• Experience of service delivery methods, including ITIL.
• Ability to take high level requirements and translate these into lower level delivery activities.
Further information & Application process
For
a confidential discussion to learn more about the role and opportunity please contact the University’s appointed recruitment partner, Sian Gardiner of The Management Recruitment Group.
Closing date for applications is Sunday 3rd April 2022. Preliminary interviews will be carried out by MRG w/c Monday 21st March 2022. You can view the university’s website here;
Sian Gardiner T: 02039 629 900 M: 07972 579 938 E: sian.gardiner@mrgpeople.co.uk
http://www.birmingham.ac.uk/
Applications should consist of a comprehensive CV (of not more than 4 pages) and supporting cover letter (of not more than 2 pages) outlining key matching experience and rationale for applying for the post. (Applications should be sent to sian.gardiner@mrgpeople.co.uk)
mrgpeople.co.uk
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