Head of Digital Experience & Product Management

at  Anglia Ruskin University

ABOUT ARU:

ARU is a global university transforming lives through innovative, inclusive and entrepreneurial education and research. ARU holds a Gold award for the quality of its education, awarded through the Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF).
ARU’s research institutes and four faculties bridge scientific, technical and creative fields. We deliver impactful research which tackles pressing issues and makes a real difference to our communities. Our academic excellence has been recognised by the UK’s Higher Education funding bodies, with 16 of our research areas assessed as world leading. We are the largest provider of Nursing, Midwifery, Health and Social Care students in the East of England, and we are also among the UK’s leading universities for degree apprenticeship provision, working with hundreds of employers across the UK.

GUIDANCE NOTES:

Please download the Job Description Person Specification for key requirements. To apply, demonstrate how your skills and experience meet the criteria.
Job Category

Technical
Vacancy Type

Permanent
Employment Type

Full time
Salary From

£56,921
Salary To

£65,814
Location

Chelmsford/Cambridge
Faculty/Prof Service

IT Services
Ref No
3320
Closing Date
17/02/2025

As Head of Digital Experience & Product Management, you will lead the development and continuous improvement of key digital products across the university, including CRM, Enterprise Service Management, Student Records, Learning Management, and the Digital Experience for students pre- and post-enrolment. You will oversee a team of Product Managers, a UX Lead, and a Designer, ensuring that digital services deliver a seamless and engaging experience for students, staff, and stakeholders.
You will drive digital innovation, ensuring our technology solutions support the university’s strategic priorities. Working closely with IT Services, the Web Team, Marketing, Student Services, and senior stakeholders, you will lead the delivery of product roadmaps, enhancements, and user-focused improvements. Your leadership will shape the digital experience at ARU, ensuring our systems are accessible, integrated, and aligned with sector-leading best practices.
We are seeking an experienced digital leader with a strong background in digital product management and user experience. With a higher degree plus demonstrable professional experience for the role, you will have extensive experience in managing digital platforms and leading cross-functional teams to deliver transformational change. An in-depth understanding of CRM, student systems, service management, or learning management systems is highly desirable.
With excellent stakeholder management skills, you will be able to build strong relationships across faculties and professional services, ensuring alignment between digital products and university objectives. A strategic thinker, you will be comfortable working in a fast-paced environment, managing multiple priorities while delivering measurable improvements to digital experiences. A passion for innovation, user-centred design, and digital transformation will be key to your success in this role.
Informal enquiries can be made to Paul Gallagher, Assistant Director Applications & Digital Development, at Paul.Gallagher@aru.ac.uk
Find out more about working with us and how we recruit.
We have an agile working culture and offer an extensive range of benefits including generous holiday entitlement, occupational pension schemes, training and development opportunities, travel to work scheme and a competitive relocation package. Visit our benefits page for full details.