Associate Director Digital User Experience

University of Southampton; Southampton; Hybrid; GBP 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Generous annual leave entitlement

Sector-leading pension scheme

Health and wellbeing initiatives

Learning and development opportunities

Staff discounts and benefits schemes

Inclusive working environment

Job summary

University of Southampton is seeking an outstanding digital leader to join the Communications Directorate as Associate Director, Digital User Experience. You will set the long‑term vision for the University’s digital experience, leading a multidisciplinary team across product management, delivery, UX design, content, analytics and SEO.

You will champion a product‑led, agile approach, drive a major digital transformation, and ensure accessibility, inclusion and evidence‑based decision making

Qualifications

• Experience delivering digital transformation in a complex organisation.
• Proven track record leading multidisciplinary teams.
• Expertise in agile delivery and product‑led operating models.
• Strong stakeholder management and communication with senior leaders.
• Commitment to user‑centred design and accessibility.

Responsibilities

• Lead the digital experience across the University’s web estate.
• Set long‑term vision and strategy for the digital experience.
• Oversee governance and prioritisation frameworks for delivery.
• Champion data‑driven decision making and user insights.
• Inspire and develop high‑performing teams through change.

Skills

Multidisciplinary leadership

Digital transformation

Product management

User experience

Stakeholder management

Agile delivery

Data-informed decision making

Accessibility

Tools

Agile tools

Job description

The University of Southampton is a research-intensive university and founding member of the Russell Group. Our people are at the heart of everything we do, and we're committed to creating an environment where everyone can thrive.

We're seeking an outstanding digital leader to join our Communications Directorate as Associate Director, Digital User Experience*. This is an exciting opportunity to shape the future of our digital experience. You'll lead the team responsible for the digital experience across our web estate and drive an ambitious transformation programme that places user needs, data and continuous improvement at the centre of everything we do.

About The Role

The University's website is the critical gateway to our institution. It plays a vital role in attracting students, showcasing world-leading research, supporting enterprise activity and strengthening our global reputation. As Associate Director, Digital User Experience, you will set the long-term vision and strategy for the University's digital experience across our web estate, ensuring it continues to meet the needs of our audiences and supports institutional priorities.

Reporting to the Executive Director of Communications, you will lead a multidisciplinary team spanning product management, delivery, user experience design, user research, content, analytics and SEO. You will champion a product-led, agile approach to digital delivery and work closely with colleagues across Communications, iSolutions and the wider University to deliver a significant programme of digital transformation.

The role combines strategic leadership with operational delivery. You will influence at senior levels across the University, establish effective governance and prioritisation frameworks, ensure decisions are informed by data and user insight, and create the conditions for teams to do their best work.

You'll also be a strong advocate for accessibility, inclusion and user-centred design, ensuring our digital services meet the needs of diverse audiences and reflect best practice in digital experience development.

About You

We're looking for an experienced leader who has successfully delivered digital transformation in a complex organisation.

You may currently be working in higher education, but we are equally interested in hearing from candidates from other sectors where digital products and services are central to organisational success.

You Will Bring

• Significant experience of leading multidisciplinary digital, product, experience or transformation teams
• A track record of delivering large-scale change programmes and embedding new ways of working
• Experience of agile delivery methodologies and product-led operating models
• The ability to develop a compelling strategic vision and translate it into practical delivery plans
• Exceptional stakeholder management, communication and influencing skills, with experience engaging senior leaders
• A strong commitment to user-centred design, accessibility and evidence-based decision making
• The ability to inspire, develop and lead high-performing teams through change

What We Can Offer You

In addition to a competitive salary, we offer:

• Generous annual leave entitlement
• A sector-leading pension scheme
• A comprehensive range of health and wellbeing initiatives
• Excellent learning and development opportunities
• Access to staff discounts and benefits schemes
• A vibrant, collaborative and inclusive working environment

Further information

This role is offered on a hybrid working basis, with a combination of campus and home working. Occasional out-of-hours support may be required as part of the Communications Directorate's response to major incidents and crisis communications activity.

Join us and help create digital experiences that connect audiences with world-changing education, research and innovation.

Post title may change upon appointment.