At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead technology transformation and shape the digital future of Edinburgh Napier University.
- Company: Join a forward-thinking university at the heart of digital innovation.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, generous pension scheme, and 41 days of paid holidays.
- Other info: Collaborative environment with opportunities for professional growth and influence.
- Why this job: Make a lasting impact on the experience of staff and students through strategic technology leadership.
- Qualifications: Proven experience in leading IT services and developing technology strategies.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 77368 £ per year.
Edinburgh Napier University is seeking an exceptional technology leader to join our Information Services Directorate as Head of Technical Services, within the Information Services department. Information Services is at the heart of the University's digital future. This role offers a unique opportunity to influence strategic decision-making, lead significant technology transformation and make a lasting impact on the experience of our staff, students and partners.
About the Role
Reporting to the Director of Information Services, the Head of IS Technical Services is a pivotal senior leadership role with responsibility for providing strategic direction, leadership and governance across the University's technology landscape. As a key member of the Information Services Senior Leadership Team, you will shape and deliver the University's technology strategy, ensuring that digital services, infrastructure and platforms enable the successful delivery of institutional priorities and an outstanding experience for staff and students.
Leading a high-performing team of managers and technical experts across infrastructure, networks, cyber security, enterprise applications, architecture, cloud platforms and client services, you will be at the forefront of the University's digital future. You will champion innovation, modernisation and operational excellence, ensuring the University's technology ecosystem is secure, resilient, scalable and capable of supporting ambitious strategic growth.
Working with the Head of IS Business Services on our enterprise architecture, you will be responsible for defining technology roadmaps and accelerating cloud adoption and digital transformation and you will provide visionary leadership across the full technology lifecycle. From strategy, design and investment decisions through to implementation, service delivery, optimisation and continuous improvement—driving impactful change that enhances the experience of staff, students and stakeholders while positioning the University to thrive in an increasingly digital world.
As a trusted partner to senior stakeholders across the University, you will provide strategic leadership for technology investment, risk management and service delivery, fostering strong partnerships, overseeing major programmes and supplier relationships, and ensuring technology services deliver measurable value in support of the University's strategic objectives.
Who You Are
We are seeking an inspiring and collaborative technology leader with substantial experience leading enterprise-scale IT services within a large and complex organisation. You will bring:
- A proven track record of leading infrastructure, engineering or technical services teams.
- Experience developing and delivering technology strategies aligned to organisational objectives.
- Strong expertise in technical architecture, infrastructure, applications, cloud technologies and cyber security.
- Experience delivering large-scale technology transformation and modernisation programmes.
- A successful track record of building and leading high-performing multidisciplinary teams.
- Strong financial management, business planning and commercial acumen.
- Experience developing and presenting business cases to executive-level stakeholders.
- Excellent communication, stakeholder engagement and influencing skills.
Benefits We offer Salary: Grade 8, competitive salary per annum Pension Scheme: 17.6% employer contribution, 41 days of paid holidays per annum Closing date: 7th of August Interviews (preferably face to face): 19th and 20th of August On this occasion, the University will not consider applicants requiring sponsorship or visa support for this role. International applicants will therefore only be able to take up this role if they can demonstrate an alternative ongoing right to work in the UK.
Head of Technical Services employer: Edinburgh Napier University
Join a forward-thinking organisation at the forefront of digital construction and skills innovation, where your expertise will directly contribute to transforming the built environment. With a strong commitment to employee development, you will benefit from extensive learning opportunities, generous annual leave, and a supportive work culture that values collaboration and innovation. Located at the BE-ST campus in Hamilton, this role offers a unique chance to make a meaningful impact while enjoying a hybrid working model and access to a range of employee benefits.
Contact Details:
Edinburgh Napier University Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Technical Services
✨Join the IT Consultancy Buzz
Get involved in local or virtual IT consultancy meetups and forums. This is where we can rub shoulders with industry professionals, get insights into what Edinburgh Napier University values, and even spot unadvertised opportunities. Don't miss out on these chances to make a name for ourselves in the IT world!
✨Show Off Your Skills
Create a personal project or case study relevant to the challenges Edinburgh Napier University might face. Use platforms like GitHub or Medium to share your findings. This not only demonstrates our consulting skills but shows a proactive attitude, making us stand out from the crowd when applying for that full-time gig.
✨Leverage LinkedIn for Connections
Follow and engage with the relevant thought leaders and influencers in IT consultancy on LinkedIn. Share insightful content and join discussions to gain visibility. A well-placed comment or shared article could catch the attention of someone at Edinburgh Napier University!
✨Direct Apply to Edinburgh Napier University
Let's not forget to apply directly through the Edinburgh Napier University website! Tailor your application to showcase our understanding of their consulting style and how we can contribute to their projects. A personalised approach can make a huge difference in landing that full-time position!
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Technical Services
Some tips for your application 🫡
Showcase Your Problem-Solving Skills:In IT consulting, it's all about problem-solving, so make sure your CV highlights your analytical skills and any relevant projects you've tackled. Mention specific technologies or methodologies you've used to resolve issues or improve processes; this shows you can think critically and deliver results, which is vital for us at Edinburgh Napier University.
Highlight Relevant Certifications:Certifications like ITIL, PMP, or even specific tech stack qualifications can really make you stand out. Make sure to include these in your CV, as they not only demonstrate your expertise but also your commitment to staying current in the field. We love seeing candidates who are proactive about their professional development!
Tailor Your Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to connect personally with us at Edinburgh Napier University. Share stories about your experiences in IT consulting, and how they shaped your desire to join our team. Mention why you’re excited about this particular role, and how you see yourself contributing to our projects.
Keep It Clear and Concise:We're all busy, so make sure your application is easy to read. Use bullet points for key achievements, and don’t overload us with jargon. A clean, professional layout goes a long way. Remember, the clearer your application, the more likely we are to invite you in for an interview!
How to prepare for a job interview at Edinburgh Napier University
✨Brush Up on Your Technical Skills
For an IT consulting role, be ready to demonstrate your technical prowess. You might face questions on systems integration, cloud technologies, or even troubleshooting specific software. If you have experience with tools like AWS, Azure, or even specific programming languages, make sure you can talk about them fluently.
✨Showcase Your Problem-Solving Approach
IT consulting is all about solving problems for clients. Think about how you can illustrate your approach to a past challenge using the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result). It's a great way to show how you tackle complex issues and come up with effective solutions.
✨Know the Business Impact of IT Solutions
When discussing your experiences, focus not just on the tech solutions you implemented, but also on their business impact. Employers want to see that you can connect IT with organisational goals. Prep examples that highlight how your tech contributions improved efficiency or reduced costs for past clients or projects.
✨Prepare for Behavioural Questions
Since IT consulting often involves teamwork and client interactions, expect behavioural questions that assess your interpersonal skills. Be prepared with examples that demonstrate your adaptability, communication skills, and how you handle client feedback. Before the interview, think of situations where you worked closely with clients to create effective IT strategies or changes.
