Digital Transformation Lead - Integrations & Automation

Manchester Metropolitan University; Manchester; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A prominent educational institution in Manchester is seeking a Technical Lead to provide strategic and technical leadership within its IT & Digital directorate. The ideal candidate will have experience managing cross-functional teams and will oversee the delivery of integration and automation solutions. Key responsibilities include leading a team, ensuring architectural best practices, and engaging with stakeholders. Candidates must have a degree in Computer Science or a related field and at least 3 years' experience in a similar role. This position offers an inclusive culture with flexible working arrangements.

Benefits

Flexible working arrangements

Professional development opportunities

Mentoring programmes

Qualifications

• 3+ years experience as a senior developer or technical lead.
• Line management experience of cross‑functional teams.
• Hands-on experience of RPA platforms.

Responsibilities

• Provide technical leadership for integrations and RPA solutions.
• Lead and manage your team within Software Engineering.
• Drive delivery of projects using agile methods.

Skills

C#

.NET

RESTful APIs

SOAP services

Azure Integration Services

DevOps practices

Education

Degree/professional qualification in Computer Science/Software Engineering

Tools

Azure Logic Apps

Azure Functions

Azure DevOps

UiPath

Blue Prism

Job description

Team brings together specialist expertise in software engineering, systems integration, and intelligent automation. As a combined team, we play a key role in enabling the University to work smarter, faster, and more collaboratively.

In collaboration with a partner our Integrations function designs, builds and maintains the services that allow our systems to talk to each other, ensuring the right data gets to the right place at the right time. Using Azure Integration Services, we deliver secure, scalable and reliable integrations that support everything from student administration to classroom technology. Alongside this, our Robotic Process Automation (RPA) capability uses Blue Prism Cloud to create digital workers that automate repetitive, rule‑based tasks, such as the determination of Fee Status for new applications. These automations free up staff time, improve consistency, and drive efficiency across the University.

About the Role

This role provides strategic and technical leadership within the University's IT & Digital directorate, focusing on the delivery of robust enterprise integration and automation solutions that enhance operational efficiency and improve student experience. You will lead a cross‑functional team of software engineers, business analysts and QA professionals to drive best practice in development, architecture, and agile delivery, while ensuring compliance with governance and regulatory standards. Acting as a key influencer, you will collaborate with academic and Professional Services stakeholders, shape future technology strategies, and champion innovation to support the University's teaching, research, and digital transformation goals.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide technical leadership for integrations and RPA solutions, ensuring best practices in architecture, development, and deployment.
• Lead and manage your team within Software Engineering, including recruitment, mentoring, and performance management.
• Work effectively with key partners in integrations and RPA to build, enhance and support key services ensuring effective and efficient solution delivery.
• Drive delivery of projects using agile methods, removing blockers and ensuring alignment with IT strategy.
• Oversee quality assurance, governance compliance, and continuous improvement of engineering processes and tools.
• Engage stakeholders and vendors to design secure, integrated solutions that meet strategic objectives.
• Contribute to strategic planning, resource allocation, and change management initiatives.
• Stay current with emerging technologies and sector developments, sharing knowledge to foster innovation.

Key Skills & Experiences

• A degree/professional qualification in Computer Science/Software Engineering, or another STEM discipline.
• 3+ years experience as a senior developer/principal developer or technical lead.
• Line management experience of cross‑functional teams including developers, business analysts and testers.
• Demonstrable experience of C#, .NET, RESTful APIs, SOAP services and integration patterns.
• Direct experience applying enterprise integration patterns, Domain‑Driven Design (DDD) and Event‑Driven Architecture using Microsoft Azure Integration Services.
• Excellent working knowledge of concepts such as loose coupling / high cohesion and eventual consistency and their application in the design of resilient and reliable system integrations.
• Proficient in Azure (Logic Apps, Functions, Service Bus).
• Experience with message queues, preferably Azure Service Bus.
• Knowledge and experience of source control (Git, GitHub) and good practice around branching strategies.
• Knowledge and experience of setting up CI/CD pipelines using Azure DevOps and/or GitHub Actions.
• Experience working/leading DevOps practices across development and operations teams.
• Hands‑on experience of RPA platforms (UiPath, Blue Prism, NICE).
• Experience setting up test automation tooling/practises.
• Experience operating within environments using TDD and BDD.
• Microsoft Certified: Azure Developer Associate (AZ‑204) – desirable.
• Experience in implementing and operating resilient, secure and scalable by design solutions.

Assessment Process

To apply, please submit a CV and covering letter detailing your suitability, on the application portal.

Assessment will be conducted in two stages – a Stage 1 informal chat, scheduled for 18, 19 and/or 22 December, followed by a Stage 2 panel interview during the week of 5 January.

Due to the volume of applications we receive, vacancies may close early. We encourage applicants to apply promptly.

Location & Reporting

Location: Manchester, United Kingdom
Reports to: Director – Global Commercial GTM Digital Partner and Data Governance

EEO Statement & Inclusive Hiring

Manchester Metropolitan University fosters an inclusive culture of belonging that promotes equity and celebrates diversity. We value a diverse workforce for the innovation and diversity of thought it brings and welcome applications from local and international communities, including those from Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic backgrounds, disabled people, and LGBTQ+ individuals.

We support a range of flexible working arrangements, including hybrid and tailored schedules, which can be discussed with your line manager. If you require reasonable adjustments during the recruitment process or in your role, please let us know so we can provide appropriate support.

Our commitment to inclusivity includes mentoring programmes, accessibility resources, and professional development opportunities to empower and support under‑represented groups. Manchester Met is a Disability Confident Leader and offers an interview to disabled people who meet the essential criteria.

Recruitment agencies are only accepted from the University's approved list; speculative applications from other agencies will not be considered.