Director of Digital in Gloucester

The University of Gloucestershire is a vibrant, modern institution spanning campuses in Cheltenham and Gloucester, serving over 11,000 students with 900 dedicated staff. Building on a proud heritage dating back to 1847, the University combines academic excellence with a strong focus on innovation, community partnership and practical, real-world learning. We are entering a new phase of ambition and transformation, strengthening our digital foundations and deepening our role within a growing regional ecosystem shaped by cyber innovation, research partnerships and the Golden Valley development.

Digital is a core strategic priority for the University. It underpins how students learn, how our academics teach and conduct research, how our services operate and how we contribute to the wider business and cyber community across Gloucestershire, if not nationally. Our ambition is to become a truly digitally connected university - one where technology enables excellence across every part of our mission and that is why we are seeking a Director of Digital to help drive this ambition.

As a member of the University’s senior leadership team, the Director of Digital will shape and deliver a clear digital strategy that complements the University’s wider ambitions to become a truly digitally connected institution. Reporting to the Chief Operating Officer and Pro Vice-Chancellor, the role leads a multidisciplinary team of over 40 colleagues across Digital Services and IT Operations & Security, with two direct reports. The Director will oversee the successful delivery of key transformation priorities, including cloud migration of core corporate systems such as Finance, HR and student platforms, while embedding modern, secure and resilient technology foundations.

In this role you will also champion the effective use of data and insight to inform decision-making, service improvement and performance across the University. With a strong focus on best practice, modern ways of working, emerging technologies and AI, the role works closely with academic and professional services leaders - including in support of digitally enabled and cyber focused academic programmes - as well as external suppliers and regional partners (including local businesses and the cyber community) to ensure digital capability enables excellent student experience, effective services and long-term institutional impact.

This is a rare opportunity to join the University at a pivotal moment with a clear mandate, senior sponsorship and the scale to make a lasting difference to how digital shapes education, services and the wider region.

What you will bring/Essential Criteria

• Digital Strategy, Transformation & Delivery: Proven experience setting and delivering an organisation-wide digital strategy aligned to corporate objectives, leading multi-year transformation programmes (including new ways of working) and operating confidently with executive teams and governing bodies to translate vision into sustained measurable outcomes.
• Core Technology Platforms, Infrastructure & Modernisation: A strong track record of modernising complex technology landscapes, including cloud migration, SaaS adoption, legacy renewal and the effective application of emerging technologies and AI to improve service quality, resilience and efficiency.
• People Leadership & Capability Uplift: Experience leading multidisciplinary digital and IT functions with clear accountability for performance, KPIs and outcomes whilst developing an inclusive and high performing team. A strong track record of driving cultural change, embedding modern delivery and operating models whilst being the champion for digital data uplifting digital capability and confidence across an organisation.
• Operational Resilience, Risk & Cyber Oversight: Executive-level accountability for digital operations, infrastructure and cybersecurity, with the ability to balance service continuity, risk management and regulatory requirements while designing platforms fit for the future.
• Commercial Acumen, Value for Money & Partnerships: Strong commercial judgement, with experience of managing budgets, suppliers and contracts, securing value for money and building productive partnerships with external organisations, local businesses and sector networks to deliver shared outcomes.
• Influence, Credibility & Cross-Sector Collaboration: Excellent influencing and communication skills, with the presence and credibility to engage a diverse range of leaders, suppliers and external partners.

We welcome applications from candidates with senior digital leadership experience gained outside higher education, including the public, private, regulatory, health or third sectors.

How to Apply

Applications should be submitted no later than Monday 9th March at 09:00. To find out more about the role and how to apply, please click Apply where you can register and apply. When applying, please ensure that you provide the following information: Your CV and a supporting statement (of not more than 2 pages) detailing how you can address the 6 Essential Criteria above.

Our executive search partners, Gatenby Sanderson, will be handling all applications and conducting initial interviews with candidates. They would be delighted to speak with you to help provide further insight into the role and support with your application.

Closing date: 9am, Monday 9th March 2026

Our Commitment to Inclusive Recruitment

We are committed to building a diverse, inclusive and equitable workforce. We welcome applications from candidates of all backgrounds, particularly those who are currently under-represented in senior leadership across digital professions. We are happy to discuss any reasonable adjustments needed during the recruitment process.