At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead IT services to enhance education and research at the University of Bath.
- Company: Join a top-ranked university known for its vibrant community and beautiful surroundings.
- Benefits: Enjoy perks like free counselling, gym discounts, generous leave, and professional development opportunities.
- Why this job: Shape the future of digital service excellence in a dynamic leadership role with a diverse team.
- Qualifications: Proven senior IT leadership experience, ideally in higher education, with strong communication skills.
- Other info: We celebrate diversity and encourage applications from all backgrounds, valuing the positive impact it brings.
The predicted salary is between 90000 - 100000 £ per year.
Salary starting from £90,000, rising to £100,000.
Are you passionate about delivering exceptional IT services that empower world-class education and research? Join our Digital, Data and Technology Group and help shape the future of digital service excellence at the University of Bath.
As Director of IT Services , you\’ll collaborate with academic and professional services teams across the university to optimise IT service delivery, enhance customer experience, and drive continuous improvement. You\’ll be part of a dynamic leadership team within our Digital, Data and Technology Group, working at the forefront of enterprise IT services to support everything from student learning to groundbreaking research initiatives.
About us
The University of Bath ranks 7th in the Guardian University Guide 2025. Our awards, accolades, and league table rankings include being placed 8th in The Times and The Sunday Times Good University Guide 2025 and 8th in the Complete University Guide 2026. We\’re the highest-ranked university in the South West of England. Our campus is surrounded by beautiful countryside, and the City of Bath with its historic charm and social activity is only a short distance away, creating an excellent environment in which to work. We are an equal opportunities employer and have a vibrant multinational community with staff from over 60 countries.
About the role
As part of the DDaT senior leadership team, you will:
- Lead the provision of proactive, coherent, customer-focused IT Support Services, ensuring timely collaboration and efficient, effective delivery across all service areas.
- Drive optimisation of IT support services to ensure fast, effective response to requests and prompt resolution of incidents.
- Oversee procurement and lifecycle management of IT hardware and software, developing a comprehensive university IT Asset register and Software Catalogue.
- Provide strategic direction for 1st and 2nd line support teams alongside specialist IT support for teaching, learning, and research.
- Ensure timely, effective additional support through assistive technology advice and guidance.
- Lead department budget and HR planning, management, and assurance in support of the Chief Digital Officer.
- Provide guidance on HR, finance, communications, and administrative matters across the department, ensuring compliance with university policies and procedures.
- Ensure reporting requirements are completed on time and to a high quality.
- Promote staff well-being and coherent, timely communications across the department.
About you
We\’re looking for someone with:
- Proven experience of senior IT leadership within complex enterprise-scale environments, ideally in higher education or non-profit sectors.
- Significant experience in efficient IT Service Management within complex enterprise environments, using best practices and horizon-scanning for relevant opportunities to improve.
- Outstanding leadership skills with evidence of successfully building, motivating, and managing diverse teams.
- Comprehensive experience in improving customer IT service experience through continuous improvement initiatives.
- Excellent communication skills with the ability to influence stakeholders at all levels, from technical teams to senior executives.
You will have a degree in IT Customer Services, Computer Science, or equivalent professional experience, with demonstrated senior leadership success in complex enterprise-scale IT environments. Practical experience leading comprehensive IT support operations—from service desk management to specialist technical support—and a proven track record of delivering transformational improvements that enhance customer experience are essential. You should also bring hands-on expertise in budget management, procurement processes, and HR leadership across diverse teams.
Outstanding leadership and communication skills are crucial, with the ability to manage complex, changing priorities while maintaining a customer-focused approach. Experience leading diverse teams through change and implementing solutions that deliver efficient, effective outcomes for staff and service users is vital.
Experience in IT procurement, software licensing management, and contract tendering would be particularly valuable.
We celebrate diversity and are committed to equality. We have an excellent international reputation with staff from over 60 nations and have received a Silver Athena SWAN award for gender equality and intersectionality. We encourage applications from all genders, backgrounds, and communities, especially from under-represented groups, and value the positive impact this diversity brings to our university. We are dedicated to maintaining a safe and secure environment for our students, staff, and community by reinforcing our Safer Recruitment commitment.
Our benefits package includes:
- Free counselling services through Health Assured
- Cycle to work scheme
- Electric vehicle salary sacrifice scheme
- Staff discount at Team Bath gym
- Staff discounts on postgraduate tuition fees
- Staff discount on language courses
- Generous employer contributory pension schemes
- Generous annual leave allowance with an additional 5 discretionary days
- Personal and professional development opportunities including Apprenticeships, LinkedIn Learning, and more
- Free entry to the Holburne Museum in Bath
- An excellent reward package recognizing our diverse workforce
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Director of IT Services employer: University of Bath
Contact Detail:
University of Bath Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Director of IT Services
✨Tip Number 1
Network with professionals in the higher education sector, especially those involved in IT services. Attend relevant conferences or webinars to connect with potential colleagues and learn about the latest trends in IT service management.
✨Tip Number 2
Familiarise yourself with the specific IT challenges faced by universities, particularly in areas like customer service and support. Understanding these nuances will help you demonstrate your expertise during interviews.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss your leadership style and how you've successfully managed diverse teams in the past. Be ready to share specific examples of how you've driven continuous improvement in IT services.
✨Tip Number 4
Research the University of Bath's current IT initiatives and challenges. Tailoring your insights and suggestions to their specific context will show your genuine interest and commitment to enhancing their IT services.
We think you need these skills to ace Director of IT Services
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights your senior IT leadership experience, particularly in complex enterprise environments. Emphasise your achievements in improving customer IT service experiences and leading diverse teams.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: In your cover letter, express your passion for delivering exceptional IT services in education. Mention specific examples of how you've driven continuous improvement and optimised IT service delivery in previous roles.
Highlight Relevant Skills: Clearly outline your skills in IT Service Management, budget management, and HR leadership. Use keywords from the job description to demonstrate that you meet the requirements and understand the role's expectations.
Showcase Leadership Experience: Provide concrete examples of your leadership style and successes in managing diverse teams. Discuss how you've influenced stakeholders at various levels and led teams through change to achieve effective outcomes.
How to prepare for a job interview at University of Bath
✨Showcase Your Leadership Experience
As a candidate for the Director of IT Services, it's crucial to highlight your previous leadership roles. Prepare specific examples that demonstrate how you've successfully built and managed diverse teams, particularly in complex enterprise environments.
✨Emphasise Customer Service Improvement
The role focuses on enhancing customer experience. Be ready to discuss initiatives you've led that improved IT service delivery and customer satisfaction. Use metrics or feedback to illustrate the impact of your efforts.
✨Demonstrate Strategic Thinking
Prepare to discuss your approach to strategic direction in IT services. Think about how you can align IT support with the university's goals and how you've previously driven optimisation in service management.
✨Communicate Effectively
Excellent communication skills are essential for this role. Practice articulating your thoughts clearly and confidently, especially when discussing technical concepts with non-technical stakeholders. Tailor your communication style to suit different audiences.