Director - Digital

Director – Digital

About The University of Manchester

The University of Manchester has a rich heritage of discovery, social change and a pioneering spirit, which has been at the heart of what we do since 1824. When you join our University, you become part of a truly diverse and global community of staff, students and alumni all focused on ensuring that we are recognised for the excellence of our people, research, learning and innovation, and for the benefits we bring to society.

The University has just announced its new ambitious Manchester 2035 strategy. One of its primary aims is to define what it means to be a great civic university in the 21st century. As part of this strategy, the University will continue to build on and leverage its strengths to tackle some of the world’s biggest challenges. The University also aims to help Manchester continue to grow in terms of economic benefit for the region and to strengthen its civic purpose as a diverse and inclusive city with a radical spirit.

About the Role

As a central member of our IT Executive Team, the Director – Digital owns our digital strategy and is accountable for the digital user experience and technical delivery of strategic change. This position enables strategic change delivery via strong partnership between subgroups, strategic change office and IT colleagues. Over the next decade and beyond, this strategic position is dedicated to reshaping our digital campus, enhancing AI, data and digital services, as well as fostering a culture of excellence befitting a truly global institution. It is the Director – Digital role to be proactive, monitoring, and further championing new digital technologies, culture shifts and ideas in line with the University’s goals.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead Digital Strategy: Shape and deliver a bold 10-year vision for digital and data transformation aligned with institutional goals.
• Drive Innovation: Promote digital-first approaches and agile ways of working to reduce risk, scale operations, and enhance value.
• Support Strategic Initiatives: Provide technical leadership for high-impact digital transformation programs across the University.
• Advise Senior Leadership: Guide the integration of digital, data, and AI into strategic and operational decision-making.
• Foster Collaboration: Partner with stakeholders to co-create a unified data and digital strategy and drive cultural change in IT.
• Enhance Services: Identify and implement improvements to elevate service quality, efficiency, and user experience.
• Enable Prioritisation: Support strategic planning and governance to focus efforts on the most impactful initiatives.

Core Skills

• Senior-Level Expertise: Proven experience in leading IT, data, and digital functions with foresight into emerging trends.
• Transformational Leadership: Skilled at bridging IT and business needs to drive digital transformation aligned with global ambitions.
• Exceptional Communicator: Able to convey complex ideas clearly to diverse audiences and influence decisions at all levels.
• Cultural Champion: Committed to fostering a culture of excellence, inclusivity, and innovation across large organisations.
• Financial Stewardship: Strong commercial and financial acumen in managing contracts, procurement, and resource allocation.
• Inclusive People Leader: Builds high-performing teams through clear expectations, purposeful engagement, and values-led leadership.
• Strategic Stakeholder Engagement: Experienced in cultivating influential partnerships across governance, academia, and public bodies.
• Visionary Thinker: Capable of aligning long-term strategic plans with institutional goals to maintain global standing.
• Advocate for Inclusion: Embraces and promotes diversity, encouraging authenticity and belonging in the workplace.
• Professional Certifications: Holds relevant qualifications and applies global best practices in digital and data leadership.

Salary / Package

This is a grade 9 senior leadership position offering a competitive salary (depending on experience), along with 29 days annual leave (plus 4 closure days over Christmas and 8 bank holidays), flexible working (office based at least two days a week) and an attractive pension scheme (up to 21% employer contributions).

The closing date for applications is Sunday 9 November 2025.

Hays Technology have been retained by The University of Manchester to manage the recruitment of this role.

How to apply

Should you wish to discuss the role in strict confidence, please contact Mark Hamilton at Hays Technology [phone: +44 (0)7738 200 923; email: Mark.Hamilton@hays.com ]

Applications should consist of:

• A full CV;

• A covering letter (maximum of three pages) outlining how you meet the points under the person specification;

• Please include details of two referees, though please note that we will not approach referees without your prior consent and only should you be shortlisted; and

Completed applications should be made via https://microcontrib.hays.com/web/manchester-university-it-services