Interim Head of Digital Experience & Development

University of Portsmouth Facilities Department; Portsmouth; Hybrid; GBP 58,000 - 74,000; Full time

Job summary

A prestigious university in Portsmouth is seeking a Head of Digital Experience & Development to lead their digital transformation efforts. This role involves managing the development and implementation of digital strategies across various platforms and overseeing both digital development and CRM teams. The position requires a strong leader with experience in Microsoft technologies, Agile methodologies, and a background in digital innovation. The contract is fixed term for 10 months with hybrid working options available.

Benefits

Competitive salary with incremental progression

Generous pension scheme

32-35 days annual leave plus holidays

Flexible working policies

Staff discounts and loyalty schemes

Excellent training opportunities

Discounted gym membership

Qualifications

• Proven experience in managing digital platforms and solutions.
• Strong understanding of CRM systems and data governance.
• Experience in leading teams through digital transitions.

Responsibilities

• Lead the development of digital strategies and roadmaps.
• Manage and oversee development teams in cloud and on-premise projects.
• Act as a liaison among stakeholders to optimize user experience and service delivery.

Skills

Digital transformation

CRM strategy development

Agile methodologies

Team leadership

Microsoft technologies

Education

Relevant degree or equivalent experience

Tools

Azure Integration Services

Agile project management tools

Job description

The University of Portsmouth is a global employer of choice where exceptional people create, share and apply knowledge that makes a difference.

Experience the pride of being part of a select group – one of only four universities in the south‑east of England to achieve a prestigious Gold rating in the Teaching Excellence Framework. Additionally, we proudly rank among the top 140 universities globally in the Times Higher Young University World Rankings.

Ambition, Responsibility and Openness drive our every endeavour. Join our esteemed institution with a proven track record of success, and where dedication to excellence is key. We want people to make their mark in a professional community that truly values people, innovation, and achievement.

Salary: £64,475 - £73,718 per annum (£58,225 - £67,468 per annum salary, plus £6,250 sign on and assignment retention bonus)

Discover the advantages of joining our university. We offer a range of attractive benefits and opportunities to enhance your work experience:

• Competitive salary, including incremental progression within your scale.
• Generous pension scheme.
• Generous leave entitlement of 32–35 days a year, plus bank holidays, and an additional Christmas closure.
• Family‑friendly policies supporting flexible working.
• Staff discounts and loyalty schemes.
• Staff car parking and discounted public travel.
• Excellent training and development opportunities.
• Staff wellbeing programmes.
• Recreation facilities, including discounted gym membership, food on campus schemes, use of the Library and staff social activities.
• Discounted learning.
• Start‑up business mentoring from expert entrepreneurs via our Entrepreneurs in Residence programme.
• The perks don’t stop there – click ‘apply’ for further information on My Reward and Benefits

The Role

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), development of new digital solutions to create a seamless experience for both staff and students as well as leading the move to Azure Integration Services within the integrations team. The team will also be responsible for a driving digital innovation that will identify technical opportunities for the University to be a HE sector leader within digital experience and transformation.

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 which adheres 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 that meets the need 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 in strategic planning with business areas. This includes being responsible for managing resources effectively, liaising with project managers and business stakeholders to ensure that objectives can be met without compromising services to staff and students and enable high quality solutions to be developed and maintained.

They will also play a key role within the IS and Digital Solutions & Delivery management teams.

This appointment is a fixed term contract of 10 months or until 27 November 2026. The offer is to include a “sign on and assignment retention bonus” of £6,250, which is based on a 10 month contract. If the duration of the contract is less than 10 months, this amount will be reduced on a pro‑rata basis and will be paid on completion and at the end of the fixed term contract. Please note the £6,250 will be subject to Tax and National insurance contributions.

Whilst there is a need to be in Portsmouth a few days a week, hybrid working is available for this role. The interviews are currently anticipated to be held on 06 January 2026.