A customer-focused, IT operations and infrastructure leader is required to spearhead the transformation of the underpinning IT and digital infrastructure landscape for this ambitious, future-focused university.

With over 38,000 students and 4,800 staff, Manchester Metropolitan University has a clear ambition to be the best modern university in the sector. It has a prominent position at the centre of the Northern Powerhouse, a strong financial platform and impressive future investment plans; few universities could be better placed to succeed

Digital transformation and the journey to the cloud is a key component of the University's strategy. As such it needs to radically transform its legacy technology stack and shift to a nimbler operating model for IT which can deliver a responsive and flexible service.   

This is a senior and highly challenging IT infrastructure leadership role. It will hold high-level accountability for all IT operations at the University whilst simultaneously devising a new IT operations model. This role will be responsible for planning and carrying out a refresh of the entire technology stack including moving our two on-premise data centres to the cloud.

The Role

• The Assistant Director of IT Infrastructure & Operations will take ownership of all aspects of IT operations across the University, whilst also leading the drive to remedy technical debt and improve the people capability. The post holder will help the team to improve and embrace the skills needed to adapt to a cloud-based infrastructure.
• Create and implement the IT infrastructure roadmap which will both address significant technical debt and go on to deliver a sector leading technology landscape for over 40,000 customers and colleagues.
• Galvanise the team, driving the adoption of contemporary IT industry disciplines (like Dev/Ops), and reshaping the team's structure and culture to best meet the needs of the future, digital University.

The Candidate 

• Will have demonstrable experience of successfully transforming a legacy IT Infrastructure stack, including shifting to a cloud first model, in a large and complex, customer technology reliant organisation.
• Collaborative in approach yet demonstrating gravitas and a track record of senior-level customer stakeholder engagement. You should have proven experience working with senior stakeholders to build relationships and renew confidence in IT infrastructure's capability.
• Energetic, tenacious and customer-focused, you will be an enthusing people leader. You will have experience of leading, and motivating, large IT teams and encouraging the adoption of modern IT infrastructure structures and industry disciplines.

Contact Name: Manchester Metropolitan University
Reference: TJ/7598/040621
Job ID: 3080760