Position: IT and Digital Services Manager
Location: University of Portsmouth London Campus
Overview:
Technology is a cornerstone of modern education, impacting teaching quality, student success, and institutional reputation. We are seeking a seasoned IT leader who recognizes that reliability, security, and governance are not negotiable; they are fundamental. This pivotal role offers the responsibility of shaping a robust, resilient, and future-focused technological foundation.
We are looking for an experienced and proactive IT and Digital Services Manager to oversee the delivery, security, and continuity of IT services at the University of Portsmouth London Campus. This senior operational leadership position carries full responsibility for managing the campus technology environment. Key priorities include maintaining a reliable infrastructure, secure identity management, effective device and endpoint control, and seamless technology support for teaching and student services.
This role reports to the Chief Operating Officer and involves close collaboration with the University of Portsmouth’s central IT services, ensuring adherence to governance and security standards across all systems and platforms. The ideal candidate will be a skilled IT professional with a background in education, who thrives working independently while driving campus-wide digital innovation.
About You:
We are looking for an experienced IT manager with a solid track record in educational environments such as universities, colleges, or schools. You’ll possess expertise in Microsoft 365 services, identity governance, and endpoint management. Your experience includes managing network infrastructure, Entra ID, Intune, and classroom technologies. You take a disciplined approach to documentation, compliance, and vendor governance.
As the senior IT authority on campus, you’ll expertly balance operational requirements with opportunities for improvement. Your role involves close collaboration with central IT teams, translating technical risks and strategies into actionable advice for campus leadership. Strong stakeholder communication skills, operational resilience, and a strategic mindset will set you apart.
Key Responsibilities:
- Manage and maintain the campus network infrastructure, including switches, firewalls, wireless connectivity, and performance monitoring.
- Oversee operational resilience, incident response, and business continuity to ensure the delivery of teaching and student services.
- Administer Microsoft 365, Entra ID identity governance, and Microsoft Intune device management in alignment with central IT protocols.
- Ensure robust onboarding and offboarding processes and enforce access control and MFA compliance.
- Lead cybersecurity initiatives, including alert responses and GDPR compliance, while supporting audits and regulatory requirements.
- Supervise IT service desk operations, ensuring high documentation standards and effective escalation management.
- Oversee vendor contracts, monitor service-level agreements (SLAs), and plan for lifecycle renewals.
- Provide IT governance advice to campus leadership and maintain a collaborative relationship with central university IT teams to define clear system ownership boundaries.
Essential Requirements:
- Proven experience in IT management within an educational setting.
- Strong knowledge of Microsoft 365, Entra ID, and Intune.
- Experience managing network infrastructure and endpoint security.
- Skilled in managing a device estate within a compliant and structured framework.
- Experience working with third-party IT vendors, contract management, and SLAs.
- Demonstrated aptitude in documentation, governance, and risk management.
- Exceptional communication and stakeholder management skills.
Desirable Requirements:
- Experience working within a higher education branch campus or partnership model.
- Knowledge of Windows Autopilot.
- Familiarity with classroom AV technologies.
- Experience using infrastructure or endpoint monitoring tools.
- Background in supporting hybrid or cloud-first environments.
How to Apply:
To apply, please submit the following via the ‘Apply’ button above:
- A current CV detailing your relevant experience, qualifications, and accomplishments.
- A one-page cover letter explaining how your skills align with the essential criteria and how you would approach leading IT and digital services in a campus environment.
We encourage early applications as this vacancy may close once a sufficient number of applications have been received.
Commitment to Inclusion:
At Northchild Education, we are committed to creating an inclusive, diverse, and equitable work environment. We respect and value the dignity of all individuals and are committed to fostering equal opportunities, irrespective of age, disability, gender reassignment, marital status, pregnancy, race, religion, sex, or sexual orientation.
We particularly welcome applications from underrepresented groups and strive to build a vibrant academic community that reflects the diversity of our society.
We are proud to be a Disability Confident Employer and are committed to making any necessary accommodations during the recruitment process. Should you require this application in an alternative format, please contact us, and we will provide the appropriate support.
Your Impact:
Your leadership will directly influence institutional resilience, teaching effectiveness, and the student experience. If you’re motivated by the opportunity to shape the future of education through technology, we encourage your application.
Should you have any questions, email our recruitment team at [email protected]