Head of Digital Experience & Development

UNIVERSITY OF PORTSMOUTH; City of Westminster; On-site; GBP 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

A renowned university in the UK is seeking a Head of Digital Experience & Development to lead the digital strategy and CRM initiatives. You will oversee the transition to new technologies and Agile practices across critical digital platforms. This role involves coordinating key development projects and managing legacy applications, ensuring high-quality solutions that enhance user experience for both staff and students. The ideal candidate will have a strong track record in digital development and strategic planning.

Qualifications

• Proven track record in leading digital development teams.
• Experience in implementing CRM strategies.
• Strong understanding of Agile practices and Microsoft technologies.

Responsibilities

• Lead the digital experience and development strategy.
• Develop and implement the CRM strategy aligned with university ambitions.
• Manage transition to new technologies and Agile practices.
• Oversee key development projects and business-as-usual changes.
• Coordinate decommissioning or rebuilding of legacy applications.
• Serve as primary contact for digital development initiatives.

Skills

Leadership in digital development

Strategic planning

CRM implementation

Agile methodologies

Microsoft technologies

User experience design

Job description

Head of Digital Experience & Development

The Digital Experience & Development team is responsible for leading the development and implementation of the University’s digital presence across all core platforms (excluding UoP website), developing new digital solutions to create a seamless experience for both staff and students, and leading the move to Azure Integration Services within the integrations team. The team will also be responsible for driving digital innovation that will identify technical opportunities for the University to be a leader within digital experience and transformation in higher education.

The Head of Digital Experience & Development will lead on the development and implementation of a strategy and roadmap for all solutions development and core IS systems support across both on‑premise and cloud services, adhering to excellence in service delivery, user experience, security, accessibility and information governance standards. The postholder will also be responsible for the CRM strategy and roadmap, taking into account the strategic ambitions of the university and the importance of the CRM system in its growth. You will oversee all developments and ensure a planned pipeline of change and business‑as‑usual work is balanced and successfully delivered to meet the needs of a broad array of end users.

Responsible for the Digital Development and CRM Teams, you will lead the teams in managing a transition to new Microsoft technologies, new tools and new Agile ways of working, delivering key development projects, supporting business‑as‑usual change as well as supporting a roadmap of legacy applications which will require decommissioning or rebuilding in new technologies.

The post holder is a key point of contact for all digital development across the University, including supporting any related major University projects and strategic planning with business areas. This includes being responsible for managing resources effectively, liaising with project managers and business stakeholders to ensure objectives can be met without compromising services to staff and students and enabling high‑quality solutions to be developed and maintained.

Key responsibilities

• Lead the digital experience and development strategy and roadmap across on‑premise and cloud services.
• Develop and implement the CRM strategy and roadmap aligned with the university’s ambitions.
• Oversee the Digital Development and CRM teams’ transition to new Microsoft technologies and Agile practices.
• Deliver key development projects and manage the business‑as‑usual change pipeline.
• Coordinate legacy application decommissioning or rebuild plans.
• Act as the primary point of contact for digital development across the university, collaborating with project managers and business stakeholders.