POSITION DETAILS

IT Services
Location: University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham UK
Full time starting salary is normally in the range £46,735 to £55,755 with potential progression once in post to £62,728
Grade: 8
Full Time, Permanent
Closing date: 29th July 2025

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, QUALIFICATIONS, EXPERIENCE

• Experience of developing effective networks and strong relationships in a complex organisation, for example (but not limited to) with academics, Professional Services and other partners.
• Experience of developing strategic and operational plans.
• Strong facilitation skills, including workshops, and face-to-face.
• Outstanding writing skills, with the ability to write/prepare high quality papers, presentations, reports and briefings to Project Board and Executive Board level. This includes a clear style of communication and the ability to write for different audiences.
• Highly developed research skills and experience of producing and analysing complex source material, information and data and turning these into purposeful reports that influence policy and assist decision making.
• Educated to degree level preferably in an IT related discipline or with equivalent experience.
• Significant experience of working with technology stakeholders in a Business Partner / Account Management / Client Management or Consultancy capacity
• Solid understanding of technology and IT strategy.
• Experience of delivering change through a structured methodology, such as PRINCE2, MSP, or equivalent.
• Basic understanding of IT Service Management (ITIL).
• Some experience of using structured tools and techniques to articulate and shape demand, e.g. Business Analysis, Lean, Six Sigma, Agile discovery, etc.

SKILLS, ABILITIES AND COMPETENCIES

• A high degree of initiative, personal judgement, resourcefulness, flexibility and a self-motivating approach. The ability to complete tasks based on only broad direction and with minimum supervision.
• Analysis of complex problems and formulation of innovative, simple and effective solutions.
• Enthusiasm and willingness to meet challenging demands, working to different people, deadlines and within budget.
• Excellent interpersonal skills, including tact and diplomacy, and an ability to work at all levels of the organisation.
• Ability with agility to work effectively as part of new and established team.
• Creativity in developing projects that delver efficiencies and effectiveness to services, and responding to challenges.
• A flexible approach and attitude and a willingness to respond to changing requirements of the team.
• Demonstrates collaborative working, builds open, trusting and effective partnerships.
• A firm but diplomatic attitude with the ability to prioritise, negotiate and use one’s own judgement.
• Demonstrably strong relationship management skills and ability to exhibit confidence in your professional ability to operate effectively at the most senior levels in the institution.
• Excellent customer focus with a passion for thinking from the customer perspective and an ability to understand customer drivers, goals and priorities and translate them into high quality insight.
• An excellent ability to communicate to technical and non-technical audiences.
• Highly developed planning skills, able to manage time, resources and deliver reliably to deadlines. Must also be adaptable and flexible, and able to adjust quickly to new situations and changing priorities.
• Excellent team player and able to effectively lead virtual teams.

CORE COMPETENCIES/TRANSFERABLE SKILLS

Working at this level you will be able to develop and successfully demonstrate the core competencies/transferable skills outlined in each of the areas shown below. As appropriate for the level, our Birmingham Professionals will take ownership for getting things done. You will be expected to be flexible as required in supporting your department and wider University.

ROLE SUMMARY

You will be joining the University of Birmingham at the beginning of a digital transformation through an ambitious new initiative to accelerate innovation and automation across Professional Services. As part of a newly formed Technology Innovation team, you will play a pivotal role in delivering AI, Innovation and automation solutions that enhance efficiency, streamline processes, and improve the staff and student experience. This is a unique opportunity to contribute to a high-impact programme aligned with the University’s refreshed Digital Strategy and People and Culture Strategy. With strong institutional backing this initiative offers a dynamic and forward-thinking environment where your expertise will directly shape the future of service delivery at the University of Birmingham.
The post holder will lead on the continued engagement across priority areas to identify enterprise-wide automation, AI and innovation goals, integration with existing systems, and the scalability of solutions to further increase efficiency to free up staff to focus on higher value tasks. The University aims to maximise the benefits of the full range of readily available automation and AI tools to further innovate and enhance service efficiency and effectiveness across Professional Services.

MAIN DUTIES

As demand for technology enabled change and services grows in the University, it is essential that IT Services (ITS) maintains high quality relationships and dialogue with key stakeholders to ensure that the right overall outcomes are being achieved and that ITS remains focused on delivering value and service:

• The post-holder will work closely with the colleagues in IT Services, Strategic Programmes & Change and Professional Services in the identification and implementation of digital services in support of the University Strategic framework, integrating central services and introducing local services as needed. They will take a lead and act as the initial contact for the scoping, realisation and delivery of new projects and services.
• The post-holder will establish themselves as a trusted advisor to senior stakeholders so that they are able to understand and align with key technology related strategies and appreciate opportunities to exploit technology capabilities and innovation.
• The post-holder will act as a point of escalation for performance issues and will ensure that stakeholders understand how ITS is addressing their requirements or achieving resolution of any issues.
• The post-holder will contribute to the IT Services strategic roadmaps which capture the University’s IT demand and Digital strategy ambitions to shape it into a workable and deliverable recurring 12 month plan.

ROLE CONTEXT

Roles at this level will require in-depth specialist technical/specialist/IT expertise. Role holders may have supervisory responsibility for a technical service or team, where the primary focus will be on planning, overseeing and reviewing the work of the team and/or will operate as individual technical, specialist or IT experts either supporting service delivery or contributing directly to local project implementation or problem solving through the provision of specialist support activity.

Miscellaneous duties:

• Promote equality and values diversity, acting as a role model and fostering an inclusive working culture.
• Support the University’s sustainability agenda through resource efficient working.
• Any other duties commensurate with the grade