Senior IT Service Asset Manager in Durham

The University At Durham University we are proud of our people. A globally outstanding centre of educational excellence, a collegiate community of extraordinary people, a unique and historic setting - Durham is a university like no other. We believe that inspiring our people to do outstanding things at Durham enables Durham people to do outstanding things professionally and personally. Across the University we have a huge variety of roles and career opportunities, which together make us a large and successful community, which is a key hub of activity within our region and nationally. We would be thrilled if you would consider joining our thriving University.

The Role and the Department The Computing and Information Services (CIS) has an annual operational budget in excess of £12m, multi-million pound programmes of change within year, and approximately 185 staff. The Senior Leadership Team report directly to the Chief Information Officer (CIO) with the following portfolios: Strategy and Change; Operations; Information Systems, and Cyber Security. CIS work with departments across the university to provide academic, teaching and administrative services that underpin the day-to-day activities of the whole organisation. CIS is a friendly, but demanding department, where much is expected and can be achieved by competent, self-motivated individuals who work well in teams. The department works in a hybrid capacity depending on the job role and individual personal requirements with its physical base at Boldon House - Durham University.

This role has responsibility for IT Asset Management, specifically, the post holder will:

• Maintain and develop IT asset management processes, tracking IT assets accordingly.
• Manage the lifecycle of software assets from planning, requests, procurement, approval, deployment, operation/licences and retirement.
• Oversee the University's software licence management processes and procedures.
• Maintain accurate records of IT assets and their renewals; including overseeing hardware asset management policy working with End User Compute and Platforms.
• Maintain software standards and a University-wide software catalogue.
• Maintain a forward outlook of the software budget.

Working at Durham A competitive salary is only one part of the many fantastic benefits you will receive if you join the University:

• You’ll receive 30 days annual leave per year in addition to 8 public holidays and 4 customary days per year - a total of 42 days per year. The University closes between Christmas and New Year.
• We offer a generous pension scheme, and as a new member of staff you will be automatically enrolled into the University Superannuation Scheme (USS).
• No matter how you travel to work, we have you covered. We have ample parking across campus, a cycle to work scheme which helps you to buy a bike and discount with local bus and train companies. You can also take advantage of our cost-effective and environmentally friendly Tusker Car Benefit Scheme, allowing you to lease a brand-new electric or hybrid vehicle with savings on tax and National Insurance.
• We have a genuine commitment to developing our colleagues professionally and personally. There is a comprehensive range of development courses, apprenticeships and access to qualifications and routes to develop your career in the University. All staff have dedicated annual time to concentrate on their personal development opportunities.
• We provide wide-ranging health and wellbeing support including discounted membership for our state-of-the-art sport and gym facilities and access to a 24-7 Employee Assistance Programme.
• Our on-site nursery is rated Outstanding by Ofsted, and you can access holiday camps for children aged 5-16.
• Our family-friendly policies, including maternity and adoption leave, are among the most generous in the higher education sector (and likely above and beyond many employers).
• We offer all staff the opportunity to take part in volunteering activities to make a difference in the local community.
• You can access exclusive discounts via our benefits portal including money off at supermarkets, high street retailers, IT products such as Apple, eating out and days out at various attractions.
• Various salary sacrifice schemes are also available to help you take advantage of tax savings on benefits.
• If you are moving to Durham, you may be eligible for help with removal costs, and we have a dedicated team who can help you with the practicalities such as house hunting and schools. If you need a visa, we cover most visa costs and offer an interest-free loan scheme to pay for dependant visas.

Durham University is committed to equality, diversity and inclusion Our collective aim is to create an open and inclusive environment where everyone can reach their full potential and we believe our staff should reflect the diversity of the global community in which we work. As a University equality, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) are a key part of the University’s Strategy and a central part of everything we do. We also live by our values and our Staff Code of Conduct. At Durham we actively work towards providing an environment where our staff and students can study, work and live in a community which is supportive and inclusive. We welcome and encourage applications from members of groups who are under-represented in our work force including people with disabilities, women and black, Asian and minority ethnic communities. If you have taken time out of your career, and you feel it relevant, let us know about it in your application. If you are a candidate with a disability, we are committed to ensuring fair treatment throughout the recruitment process. We will make adjustments to support the interview process wherever it is reasonable to do so and, where successful, reasonable adjustments will be made to support people within their role.

What you need to demonstrate when you apply/Person Specification When you apply it is important that you let us know what skills/experience you have from a similar role and/or what skills/experience you have which would make you right for this role. Your application should cover the following criteria:

• Educated to degree level (or equivalent experience).
• Professional practitioner with specialist knowledge and expertise in IT asset management including - software asset management, hardware asset management, software procurement and software licencing aligned to industry standards such as ISO/IEC 19770-1; in order to influence service delivery, events and activities within the organisation.
• Track record of line management and staff development experience, and/or an enhanced management qualification, applied across a large service team or teams.
• Experience of providing specialist advice and guidance on a broad variety of software, hardware, cloud services, and their corresponding licence/consumption arrangements to a range of customers and colleagues, including more senior colleagues.
• Experience of designing, championing and implementing IT asset management policies and procedures and supporting service improvements.

• Excellent spoken and written communication skills including the ability to develop effective working relationships, both internally and externally. Specifically, previous experience of managing and negotiating supplier contracts, along with demonstrable experience of writing reports for various stakeholders and/or organisational boards.
• Ability to consult widely, solve problems and decide on and plan appropriate solutions including proven analysis skills to undertake market analysis of software and hardware assets to determine the best value propositions and to analyse and understand legal contracts, working with legal services as appropriate, to highlight and raise areas of concern.
• Extensive knowledge and experience of ensuring licence compliance and tracking assets within compliance with regulatory and organisational policy and guidelines.
• Experience of operating within budgets, providing monthly updates, working within agreed principles and tolerances along with an ability to contribute to planning and forecasting at operational and strategic levels.
• Strong digital competence across a range of digital devices and apps including digital communication tools, Microsoft 365 applications, IT asset management software such as XenSam or SNOW.
• Committed to continuing professional development to maintain professional recognition.

• Achievement of recognised industry and professional standards supported by relevant courses or certifications [e.g. ITIL Foundation, IAITAM CITAM - Certified Asset Manager, CHAMP Certified Hardware Asset Professional, PITAM - Practical IT Asset Manager).
• Experience of conducting audits and ensure compliance with ITAM policies.
• Ability to play a key role in the delivery of infrastructure projects.
• Experience of managing software/hardware assets in a higher education environment.

How to apply To progress to the assessment stage, candidates must evidence each of the essential criteria required for the role in the person specification above. It will be at the discretion of the recruiting panel as to whether they will also consider any desirable criteria, but we would urge candidates to provide evidence for all criteria. While some criteria will be considered at the shortlisting stage, other criteria may be considered later in the assessment process, such as questions at interview.

Submitting your application We prefer to receive applications online. We will update you about your application at various points throughout the selection process, via automated emails from our e-recruitment system. Please check your spam/junk folder periodically to make sure you have not missed any of our updates.

What you need to submit • A supporting statement which outlines how you meet all of the criteria within the Person Specification.

Contact details For a chat about the role or any further information please contact simon.brownsell@durham.ac.uk, CIS Director of Strategy and Change.

• Show a commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion, and the University’s values.
• Develop and apply an in-depth understanding of university policy and external developments when carrying out your role.
• Ensure that policy and regulatory standards are met by activities, processes and transactions that are carried out in services you are responsible for.
• Use your professional knowledge and experience as an IT Asset Manager to resolve problems, shape processes and provide subject matter expertise and advice.
• Use your managerial and leadership expertise to identify priorities and shape the IT Asset Management service to achieve the required outcomes.
• Look for ways to continually improve services and take a lead role in the development and implementation of assigned policies, processes and standards.
• Initiate and manage business process reviews to improve the service in your area.
• Ensure data (commercially sensitive and/or personal) is appropriately stored and managed.
• Manage quality and regulatory audits of systems and procedures.
• Support the welfare, wellbeing and employment of your staff by providing professional guidance.

• Contribute to the development of operational plans relevant to your area.
• Oversee the analysis of data about the service levels provided by your area and make recommendations for improvement in reports to senior managers and committees.
• Allocate and monitor designated budgets, expenditure and resources.

• Manage and develop the people, performance and resources of the IT Asset Management team to ensure that a customer-focused service is provided.
• Help shape the skills and expertise needed to deliver a professional service by recruiting, inducting and training team members and structuring the team in a way that will best meet operational and strategic priorities.
• Ensure that your team can deliver the required services by devolving and delegating responsibilities to appropriate team members.
• Carry out regular performance reviews to provide feedback on objectives and expectations and identify any development needs.
• Handle most HR issues and support the welfare and wellbeing of your team, referring more complex issues to specialist services or more senior managers.

• Use your professional knowledge to identify and recommend priorities for long-term business plans.
• Provide professional guidance and advice when managing complaints, referrals and specialist service requests.
• Design creative and innovative communications to promote and increase engagement relating to the IT Asset Management service.
• Influence University policy, standards and governance by leading operational business meetings, working groups and sub-committees.
• Create strong working relationships, including internal and external networks, using your networks to increase your knowledge and skills, swap information with peers and positively influence the University’s reputation.
• Represent the IT Asset Management service and the University at promotional events.
• Identify opportunities to develop and increase participation in special interest groups.
• Any other reasonable duties.

Please note that in submitting your application Durham University will be processing your data. We would ask you to consider the relevant University Privacy Statement which provides information on the collation, storing and use of data. When appointing to this role the University must ensure that it meets any applicable immigration requirements, including salary thresholds which are applicable to some visas.