Director of IT Services in Aberystwyth

As the first University College in Wales, Aberystwyth has a long and distinguished tradition of teaching excellence and world-leading research. Now a university with a strong community of over 6,500 students and 1,800 staff, Aberystwyth is consistently ranked amongst the best universities in the UK for teaching quality and student satisfaction.

There is nowhere quite like Aberystwyth: no other University offers the unique combination of long academic tradition, a stunning location with spectacular views over the historic market town of Aberystwyth and the Cardigan Bay coastline, and a campus that brings together state-of-the-art facilities with access to one of the six copyright libraries in Britain.

As an anchor institution, we are a source of inspiration to our communities and stakeholders and are proud of our civic commitment and significant contribution to our region and Wales. With a new strategic plan and focus, a transformed senior leadership team and new academic structure, this is an exciting time to be joining us and our vibrant community.

Reporting to the Chief Financial Officer, you will be a key member of the senior leadership team and pivotal in helping the University to achieve its ambitions as a digitally enabled modern university for all its stakeholders. Following a recent review, you will lead an innovative and customer-centric service towards greater digital maturity and operational efficiency.

Leading a number of mission-critical technology projects, you will also be responsible for creating and leading a long-term digital investment strategy working closely with senior academic and professional services colleagues. To apply, you will have substantial leadership experience of digital services gained in similarly large and complex organisations and with responsibility for large multi-disciplinary teams of professional staff.

Critically, you will be able to balance both strategic and operational imperatives in the role and able to combine latest technology thinking with on the ground technical requirements, governance, and service efficiency. As service leader, you will also need to have proven success in developing high-performing teams and a service that is fully engaged with all internal and external stakeholders.

A technical expert with either a relevant degree or professional qualification, you will also possess excellent interpersonal and leadership qualities and the ability to be a collegiate influencer at a strategic level. Higher education experience is not essential, but you will also need to demonstrate awareness of the issues facing the sector and be able to demonstrate commitment to the University’s mission, vision and values to ensure an inclusive workplace and student experience.

For further information about this exceptional opportunity please contact Alan Walter at Dixon Walter at alan@dixonwalter.co.uk or on 07876 766972.

To apply, please submit:

• a letter of application setting out your interest in the role and details of how you match the person specification
• a comprehensive curriculum vitae (CV)
• details of three referees and notice period (referees will not be contacted without your permission)
• a completed Personal Details Form (available above)

Closing date for applications is Sunday 4th January 2026. Longlist interviews will be held with Dixon Walter via Microsoft Teams week commencing 5th January 2026. Final interviews will take place on campus on a date to be confirmed.

Aberystwyth University is a bilingual institution which complies with the Welsh Language Standards and is committed to Equal Opportunities. We welcome applications in Welsh or English and these will be treated equally. Please indicate your preferred language for correspondence.

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