At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead IT operations and delivery, ensuring high performance across multiple technical teams.
- Company: Join the University of East London, a forward-thinking institution committed to diversity and innovation.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, inclusive culture, and excellent career development opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in shaping the future of education through technology.
- Qualifications: Proven IT leadership experience and strong operational skills required.
- Other info: Dynamic environment with a focus on collaboration and continuous improvement.
Location: Other
Salary: £62,443 to £71,685
Post Type: Full Time, Permanent
Closing Date: Tuesday 28 April 2026
Interview Date: Tuesday 05 May 2026
Reference: 023S2026
University of East London (UEL) is committed to changing lives through education and advancing industry 5.0 careers-first education. We aim to create a balanced, inclusive, and green future by promoting diversity in the talent pipeline.
About the School / Service:
IT Services is a centralised resource working collaboratively with the University community to transform UEL's digital world in line with the University's Vision 2028 strategic plan. IT Services engage in ground-breaking initiatives within a dynamically developing cloud environment, working closely with staff, students, partners, and other key collaborators to identify technological improvements.
About the Job:
We are seeking an experienced and strategic Head of IT Operations & Delivery to provide senior operational leadership across key IT service and delivery functions within the University. This role is responsible for leading multiple technical teams spanning application development and support, infrastructure, networking, end user computing, and integrations. You will ensure that IT services are secure, resilient, cost-effective, and aligned with the University's strategic objectives.
- Provide leadership and direction to multi-disciplinary technical teams, ensuring high performance and delivery outcomes.
- Develop and support managers and team leaders, ensuring accountability, professional growth, and succession planning.
- Promote a culture of collaboration, accountability, customer focus, and continuous improvement.
- Lead workforce planning including recruitment, retention, and skills development.
- Ensure availability, performance, resilience, and recoverability of IT services across cloud and on-premise platforms.
- Oversee ITIL-aligned processes including incident, problem, change, and release management.
About You:
You are an experienced IT leader with a strong operational background and a passion for delivering high-quality, resilient services in complex environments. You will bring:
- Significant experience leading multi-disciplinary IT teams across applications, infrastructure, integrations, networking, and EUC.
- Strong knowledge of IT service management and operational best practices (ITIL aligned).
- Experience delivering services in cloud and hybrid environments.
- Proven ability to translate strategy into effective operational delivery.
- Strong stakeholder management skills, with the ability to influence at senior levels.
- Excellent communication, leadership, and decision-making skills.
- A proactive, solutions-focused mindset with the ability to manage complexity and competing priorities.
How to apply:
Alongside the application form, please also upload an up-to-date copy of your CV for review.
Benefits Package:
At UEL, we believe that a great role is about more than just a salary. It includes our outstanding work environment and inclusive culture. We offer a genuinely competitive salary, dependent on experience (DOE), and a range of excellent benefits.
Equal Opportunities:
As an inclusive, equal-opportunities employer, we are committed to Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion. We are proud of our progress and are determined to keep moving forward so everyone at UEL can thrive. We are also a disability confident employer and value all applications.
If you would like to take your career to the next level with us here at UEL and are inspired by our environment and committed to success, we want you to apply today!
Please note that this advert may close earlier than the stated deadline if we receive a high volume of applications. We encourage you to submit your application as soon as possible.
Further Details:
To contact the recruitment team, please phone x 4600 or e-mail. CVs without a completed application form will not be accepted.
Head of IT Operations employer: University of East London
Contact Detail:
University of East London Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of IT Operations
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the IT field, especially those who might have insights into UEL. A friendly chat can sometimes lead to opportunities that aren’t even advertised.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by researching UEL’s recent projects and initiatives. Show us you’re genuinely interested in how you can contribute to our Vision 2028 and make a real impact in the IT landscape.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your leadership stories! We want to hear about your experiences leading teams and driving operational excellence. Be ready to share specific examples that highlight your skills and achievements.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets the attention it deserves. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining our diverse and inclusive community.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of IT Operations
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Head of IT Operations role. Highlight your experience in leading multi-disciplinary teams and any relevant IT service management skills. We want to see how your background aligns with our goals!
Showcase Your Leadership Skills: In your application, emphasise your leadership style and how you've developed teams in the past. We’re looking for someone who can inspire and drive performance, so share examples that demonstrate your ability to lead effectively.
Be Clear and Concise: When filling out the application form, keep your answers clear and to the point. Use bullet points where possible to make it easy for us to read through your qualifications and experiences. We appreciate straightforward communication!
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way to ensure we receive all your details correctly. Plus, it shows you’re keen on joining our community at UEL!
How to prepare for a job interview at University of East London
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of IT service management and operational best practices, especially ITIL. Be ready to discuss how you've led multi-disciplinary teams and delivered services in cloud and hybrid environments.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples that highlight your leadership style and how you've developed managers and team leaders in the past. Think about specific instances where you promoted a culture of collaboration and accountability within your teams.
✨Understand Their Vision
Familiarise yourself with the University of East London's Vision 2028 strategic plan. Be prepared to discuss how your experience aligns with their goals and how you can contribute to transforming their digital world.
✨Engage with Stakeholders
Think about your approach to stakeholder management. Prepare to share examples of how you've influenced senior-level decisions and navigated complex relationships in previous roles. This will show your ability to communicate effectively and manage competing priorities.