Director of IT Services

University of Bath; Bath; On-site; GBP 90,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Bath is seeking a Director of IT Services to lead its Digital, Data and Technology Group. This role requires exceptional leadership skills to collaborate across university teams, optimize IT service delivery, and enhance customer experience in a dynamic educational environment.

Benefits

Free counselling services through Health Assured

Cycle to work scheme

Electric vehicle salary sacrifice scheme

Staff discount at Team Bath gym

Generous employer contributory pension schemes

Generous annual leave allowance with an additional 5 discretionary days

Personal and professional development opportunities

Free entry to the Holburne Museum in Bath

Qualifications

• Proven experience in senior IT leadership within complex environments.
• Significant experience in IT Service Management and continuous improvement.
• Hands-on expertise in budget management and procurement processes.

Responsibilities

• Lead the provision of proactive, customer-focused IT Support Services.
• Oversee procurement and lifecycle management of IT hardware and software.
• Drive optimisation of IT support services for effective incident resolution.

Skills

Leadership

IT Service Management

Communication

Team Management

Customer Experience Improvement

Education

Degree in IT Customer Services, Computer Science, or equivalent

Job description

Salary starting from £90,000, rising to £100,000.

Are you passionate about delivering exceptional IT services that empower world-class education and research? Join our Digital, Data and Technology Group and help shape the future of digital service excellence at the University of Bath.

As Director of IT Services, you'll collaborate with academic and professional services teams across the university to optimise IT service delivery, enhance customer experience, and drive continuous improvement. You'll be part of a dynamic leadership team within our Digital, Data and Technology Group, working at the forefront of enterprise IT services to support everything from student learning to groundbreaking research initiatives.

About us

The University of Bath ranks 7th in the Guardian University Guide 2025. Our awards, accolades, and league table rankings include being placed 8th in The Times and The Sunday Times Good University Guide 2025 and 8th in the Complete University Guide 2026. We're the highest-ranked university in the South West of England. Our campus is surrounded by beautiful countryside, and the City of Bath with its historic charm and social activity is only a short distance away, creating an excellent environment in which to work. We are an equal opportunities employer and have a vibrant multinational community with staff from over 60 countries.

About the role

As part of the DDaT senior leadership team, you will:

• Lead the provision of proactive, coherent, customer-focused IT Support Services, ensuring timely collaboration and efficient, effective delivery across all service areas.
• Drive optimisation of IT support services to ensure fast, effective response to requests and prompt resolution of incidents.
• Oversee procurement and lifecycle management of IT hardware and software, developing a comprehensive university IT Asset register and Software Catalogue.
• Provide strategic direction for 1st and 2nd line support teams alongside specialist IT support for teaching, learning, and research.
• Ensure timely, effective additional support through assistive technology advice and guidance.
• Lead department budget and HR planning, management, and assurance in support of the Chief Digital Officer.
• Provide guidance on HR, finance, communications, and administrative matters across the department, ensuring compliance with university policies and procedures.
• Ensure reporting requirements are completed on time and to a high quality.
• Promote staff well-being and coherent, timely communications across the department.

About you

We're looking for someone with:

• Proven experience of senior IT leadership within complex enterprise-scale environments, ideally in higher education or non-profit sectors.
• Significant experience in efficient IT Service Management within complex enterprise environments, using best practices and horizon-scanning for relevant opportunities to improve.
• Outstanding leadership skills with evidence of successfully building, motivating, and managing diverse teams.
• Comprehensive experience in improving customer IT service experience through continuous improvement initiatives.
• Excellent communication skills with the ability to influence stakeholders at all levels, from technical teams to senior executives.

You will have a degree in IT Customer Services, Computer Science, or equivalent professional experience, with demonstrated senior leadership success in complex enterprise-scale IT environments. Practical experience leading comprehensive IT support operations—from service desk management to specialist technical support—and a proven track record of delivering transformational improvements that enhance customer experience are essential. You should also bring hands-on expertise in budget management, procurement processes, and HR leadership across diverse teams.

Outstanding leadership and communication skills are crucial, with the ability to manage complex, changing priorities while maintaining a customer-focused approach. Experience leading diverse teams through change and implementing solutions that deliver efficient, effective outcomes for staff and service users is vital.

Experience in IT procurement, software licensing management, and contract tendering would be particularly valuable.

We celebrate diversity and are committed to equality. We have an excellent international reputation with staff from over 60 nations and have received a Silver Athena SWAN award for gender equality and intersectionality. We encourage applications from all genders, backgrounds, and communities, especially from under-represented groups, and value the positive impact this diversity brings to our university. We are dedicated to maintaining a safe and secure environment for our students, staff, and community by reinforcing our Safer Recruitment commitment.

Our benefits package includes:

• Free counselling services through Health Assured
• Cycle to work scheme
• Electric vehicle salary sacrifice scheme
• Staff discount at Team Bath gym
• Staff discounts on postgraduate tuition fees
• Staff discount on language courses
• Generous employer contributory pension schemes
• Generous annual leave allowance with an additional 5 discretionary days
• Personal and professional development opportunities including Apprenticeships, LinkedIn Learning, and more
• Free entry to the Holburne Museum in Bath
• An excellent reward package recognizing our diverse workforce