Reporting into: Chief Digital and Information Officer
Location: Oxford
Permanent | Full-time | Hybrid [2 days pw on-site]
The University of Oxford is seeking an exceptional Director of IT Services to lead the teams responsible for delivering technology infrastructure, project delivery and customer-facing IT services across one of the world's most prestigious and influential institutions.
This is a rare opportunity to join Oxford's newly restructured Digital and Information Services leadership team and play a pivotal role in shaping the University's digital future. Working alongside the Chief Digital and Information Officer, Chief Data Officer, Chief Information Security Officer, Director of Digital Governance Unit, and Director of Research Computing, you will help deliver an ambitious Digital Plan designed to prepare Oxford for the opportunities and challenges of the AI era.
Key Responsibilities
Digital and Information Services (DIS), headed by the University’s Chief Digital and Information Officer has a central resource of over 450 staff, with additional, devolved divisional, departmental, and college resources.
IT Services ensures that the University of Oxford has the robust, reliable, and high-performing operational IT facilities it requires to support the distinctive needs of the University. As Director of IT Services, you will lead a resource of c.350 staff and be responsible for:
- Leading Oxford's Infrastructure Services, Customer Services, Software Solutions and Programme & Project Delivery functions.
- Shaping and delivering the University’s digital vision and operating model, and provide collaborative leadership across the digital ecosystem driving the transition to a modern, user-focused service delivery model built around continuous improvement and product-led thinking.
- Delivering reliable, secure and high-performing digital services that support education, research and administration.
- Strengthening governance, resilience, and security across the University’s digital estate, and provide technology governance and institutional oversight
- Building strong partnerships with academic, professional and collegiate stakeholders across the University and beyond.
- Providing strategic and operational leadership for IT Services, developing a high-performing and resilient workforce with a culture of innovation, accountability and excellent customer service.
About You
We are interested in hearing from accomplished digital and technology leaders who can demonstrate:
- Significant leadership experience within a large, complex organisation, ideally highly federated.
- A strong track record of IT service delivery, transformation and organisational change.
- Deep understanding of modern digital platforms, infrastructure and service management.
- The ability to build trusted relationships and influence senior stakeholders.
- Experience managing substantial operational and capital budgets.
- A passion for creating outstanding user experiences and customer-focused services.
Experience in higher education is welcomed but not essential. We are keen to hear from leaders who have successfully operated in similarly complex and distributed environments.
Why Oxford?
At Oxford, you will join an institution that combines centuries of academic excellence with a commitment to innovation, entrepreneurship and global impact. The University is recognised as one of Europe's most entrepreneurial universities and continues to invest heavily in its digital capabilities.
Benefits include:
- Generous annual leave entitlement of 38 days inclusive of public holidays
- Exceptional family leave provisions
- Hybrid and flexible working arrangements
- Extensive wellbeing, social and cultural benefits
Closing Date
12noon GMT on Thursday 12th November 2026
Interviews
Panel Interviews Wednesday 9th December 2026.
The University has engaged The McLean Partnership to support this recruitment.
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Director of IT Services in Oxford employer: University of Oxford
The Department of Politics and International Relations at the University of Oxford is an exceptional employer, offering a collaborative and intellectually stimulating environment where finance professionals can thrive. With a commitment to equality, diversity, and inclusion, along with generous benefits such as 38 days of annual leave and a robust family leave scheme, employees are supported in both their professional and personal lives. This role not only provides the opportunity to influence strategic financial decisions within a world-renowned department but also fosters continuous growth and development in a vibrant academic community.
