Chief Information and Digital Officer AUGUST 2015
Introduction Thank you for expressing interest in the position of Chief Information and Digital Officer at the University of Exeter. We are an ambitious institution on an exciting journey and the IT function sits at the heart of that ambition acting as a key enabler for our success. We are looking for a leader who is ready to make an impact at a critical time in our development and to ensure all our business functions are fit for the digital world. Of course, before deciding whether or not to convert your interest into a formal application you will look beyond the pages of the candidate brochure. Hopefully, though, the next few pages will convince you that this is an opportunity that will allow you to embark on an exciting new chapter in your career. Jacqui Marshall Chief Operating Officer (Interim) and Director of Human Resources, University of Exeter
About the University Exeter is one of the UK’s most prestigious universities, among the top one per cent of universities globally, successfully combining world-leading research and the highest levels of student satisfaction in some of the best campus locations in the country.
Exeter is one of the UK’s top 10 • The University of Exeter is one of the UK’s most popular and successful universities with campuses in Exeter, Penryn and Truro. • Students and staff enjoy some of the finest campus environments in the UK and from 2009 to 2016, the University of Exeter will have invested £680 million on capital projects designed to enhance the research and teaching experience. • Exeter is ranked 7th out of more than 130 UK universities in The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2015. • Consistently in the top 10 in UK league tables over the last five years. • 93% of our first degree graduates were in employment, or further study, six months after graduation according to HESA 2012/13 data.
One of the top one per cent of universities globally (Times Higher Education World University Rankings) • 58th in the world Leiden University Rankings. • Top in the UK for International Student Satisfaction.
World-leading research • 2014 REF 98% of Exeter’s research was rated as being of international quality. • We were ranked 16th in the REF taking account of our quality and the proportion of staff submitted. • We have nine Units of Assessment in the top 10 nationally for world-leading or internationally excellent research with four in the top five. • One of the top three universities to achieve additional research funding as a result of REF2014. • Eight Exeter academics feature in a Thompson Reuters list of the most highly cited researchers, placing Exeter 6th in the UK.
Highest levels of student satisfaction the Russell Group • Top in the UK for International Student Satisfaction. • 4th in the UK for student satisfaction. • Most satisfied students in the South West.
1 The Forum
2 South Cloisters
3 Biosciences
4 Business School
5 The Exchange
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Information Technology in action supporting the student learning experience.
Professional Services
Information Technology
The University’s Professional Services provide
The IT function is at the heart of the
first-class support services and facilities to
University’s ambition and is a critical enabler
students, staff and other clients to support
for success. A key focus of which will be the
both the operation of the University and
University’s Digital Transformation which will
protect reputational rigour through
ensure all business functions are fit for the
regulatory and legislative compliance.
digital world, transform the way the University works and support our Global 100 league table
One Exeter IT is a project within this
ambitions.
programme which will create a single professional home for all IT and audiovisual
Exeter IT provides core IT infrastructure,
staff in a single service bringing together staff
application and advice services in support
from across the institution. Adopting local
of teaching and learning, research and
delivery where possible, Exeter IT will operate
administration across the University and works
a customer-focused and partnership approach
closely with our partner organisation FXPlus
to service development and provision.
to deliver services to our Penryn campus in Cornwall. It leads on the management of the portfolio of projects which comprise the University’s strategic IT investment programme to deliver new and enhanced technology-based services in support of the University’s strategic goals. The delivery of Directorate’s services are assured and governed via the University’s unique “Dual Assurance” approach, working closely with the University Council’s lay lead for IT. Our research growth ambitions require that High Performance and Research Computing are also a key priority and the University is investing £3m in a new High Performance Computing environment.
The role Reporting to
Chief Operating Officer
Direct reports
Head of IT Infrastructure Services
Head of IT Partnerships and Service Delivery
Head of Enterprise Applications
Head of IT Policy and Process
FXPlus Director of ICT Service Delivery
Salary Competitive salary reflecting qualification and experience
Role description Reporting to the Chief Operating Officer the Chief Information and Digital Officer is a full and active member of the University’s Senior Management Group and as such plays a significant role in the development and implementation of major strategies and plans that enable the University to fulfil its mission and vision. He/She will be responsible for leading the University’s digital business transformation, ensuring that technology is aligned with the University’s business goals and providing IT infrastructure, application and technology advice and consultation services in support of teaching and learning, research and administration across the University. This provides the successful candidate a real opportunity to make a significant impact at an exciting time in the evolution of the IT organisation at a vibrant, aspirational university.
The University is establishing a new Living Systems Institute to pioneer novel approaches to understanding diseases and how they can be better diagnosed. Information Technology will be enabling innovative imaging and diagnostic technologies and powerful mathematical modelling capabilities.
Key responsibilities and accountabilities The key responsibilities of the post will be:
• Manage the University’s IT capital investments,
providing leadership for major projects and
• Deliver a vision and strategy for information
information technology initiatives which will have
and digital technology across the University that
a significant impact across the enterprise;
is transformative in its ambition and which
supports the achievement of high level
• Lead on IT shared services initiatives with
University objectives;
existing partners and suppliers including INTO,
Falmouth University and FXPlus ensuring the
University secures value for money;
• Provide visible and inspirational leadership for
information and digital technology at all levels in
the organisation building relationships and trust
• Develop and embed a new approach to Cyber
with key internal customers;
Security in the University;
• Creating and owning the Digital Transformation
• Work with the University’s dual assurance lead
and IT strategies and initiatives to ensure that
information is sound and available to those who
groups.
need to access it;
• Ensure the University is investing appropriately
in IT and digital technologies and its institutional
risk over long term investment in IT is managed
effectively; • Support and develop specialist IT facilities and
support for research and education, including
Technology Enhanced Learning and High
Performance Computing;
• Develop ways IT can enable the student learning
experience in a student-driven environment;
to provide input to the senior decision making
Person specification Knowledge, skills and experience The anticipated skills and experience required for this job include:
Technical skills
Strategy and execution
Leadership
• Significant recent senior
• Experience of delivering
• Experienced people manager
management experience of
complex organisational
accustomed to providing
a similar IT or digital
change programmes that
leadership for and motivating
transformation role within a
result in transformation with
senior professionals to
complex public or private
many stakeholders with
deliver the best for the
sector organisation;
disparate requirements;
University;
• A proven track record of
• A proven track record of
• Proven ability to develop
delivering significant
promoting innovation in
a strong performance
infrastructure and
service development and
culture within a technical
development projects;
customer service;
organisation;
• Recognises the subtle linkage
• An understanding of the
• Able to create a culture
between Business Processes
challenges facing the
which harnesses technical
and the digital agenda;
environment in which Higher
creativity for business
Education is currently
impact.
• Identifies and influences
projects where IT is a key
enabler.
operating; • Effectively balances strategic
leadership and operational
delivery; • Strong financial acumen with
the ability to deliver key
initiatives.
Commercial acumen • Demonstrates a thorough
Communication influencing skills
understanding of the IT
• Excellent communication
marketplace and trends
skills with the ability to
and the ability to form
influence various
meaningful partnerships
stakeholders at varying
with technology
levels of seniority;
vendors and suppliers;
• Be able to network and
• Understanding of varying
influence within the wider
internal customer demands
High Education community
and implications on
eg Russell Group Forum;
relationship dynamics.
• Able to demonstrate
evidence of achieving results
through persuasion and
negotiation where no direct
authority exists;
• Able to create, build
and strengthen and sustain
collaborative relationships
and networks.
How to apply How to apply and appointment process Perrett Laver has been appointed by the University of Exeter to manage the appointment process.
Confidential preliminary discussion If you would like to have an informal and confidential telephone conversation with Perrett Laver’s researcher before making up your mind whether to apply please email Courtney Jones at courtney.jones@perrettlaver.com to arrange a mutually convenient moment.
How to apply
The appointment process
Applications should consist of:
Applications will be put before the University’s
• A full and up-to-date curriculum vitae;
Appointment Panel. Perrett Laver will follow up and
• A personal statement stating why the post is of
interest and how your skills and experience meet
the requirement, taking into account the criteria
listed in the Person Specification section of this
Candidate Brief;
have in-depth conversations with potential candidates throughout the months of August and September. Following a shortlisting meeting, selected candidates will be invited to attend a final interview with the University’s Appointment Panel.
• Applicants will be asked to complete an Equal
The University values diversity and welcomes
Opportunity Monitoring form. All monitoring data
applications from all sections of the community. It is
will be treated in strictest confidence and will not
committed to promoting equal opportunities in all
affect your application in any way;
its employment practices and aims to ensure that
• Please also indicate your current remuneration. • Applicants are requested to provide daytime
and evening contact details.
To apply, please upload your CV and personal statement at www.perrettlaver.com/candidates quoting reference number 2173. The closing date for applications is midday on 1st September 2015.
no applicant or member of staff is disadvantaged or discriminated against either directly or indirectly.
Relocation We will provide relocation support and work with our external partners to make your transition to Exeter as smooth as possible.
Directions to the Streatham Campus By rail
By car
By plane
Exeter has two railway stations
The M4/M5 links Exeter directly
Direct flights operate into
– Exeter St David’s (main
to London, the Midlands, South
Exeter. Further information
station) and Central. Exeter St
Wales and the North including
is available from Exeter
David’s Station is approximately
Scotland. The average journey
International Airport website.
10 minutes’ walk from the
time from either London or
Streatham Campus and taxis are
the Midlands is three hours.
available. The average journey
The Streatham Drive entrance
time from London Paddington
gives access to all car parks and
is 2 hours 30 minutes to Exeter.
must be used for the Visitor Car
See Streatham Campus map for
Park. For satellite navigation, use
the walking route.
postcode EX4 4QJ.
Exeter and the South West Exeter is consistently rated as one of the best places to live in the UK, with a high quality of life. The City and surrounding area offer some of the best schools in the country and has something for everyone, whether your tastes are for exploring the City or enjoying the countryside and coast. With a population of about 120,000, Exeter is a student-friendly city which happily combines modern life with a sense of the past. Cafés, restaurants, pubs and modern shops mix easily with historic buildings, including the Cathedral, consecrated in 1133 and rebuilt in the late medieval period, the Guildhall which is the oldest civic working building in the country, Mol’s Coffee House and the Ship Inn, both favourite haunts of Sir Francis Drake and Sir Walter Raleigh. The Exeter Phoenix is a thriving centre for the arts. Its programme includes top quality theatre, dynamic dance, live music from around the world, exhibitions of visual arts and crafts, thought-provoking film, children’s events, readings, talks and discussions. The University’s Great Hall is a major venue for concerts, and live music can be enjoyed throughout the City in pubs, clubs and concert halls and at the large Westpoint venue. The South West has the largest growing population in the UK and around two-thirds of those moving to the region are of working age. Exeter is seen as an increasingly attractive place to do business with major firms such as the Met Office choosing to relocate.
1 Exeter Cathedral
2 Shopping Centre
3 Dartmoor
4 Mol’s Coffee House
5 Torbay, Devon
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2015HR039
2015 HR 015
HR Services Northcote House, The Queen’s Drive Exeter EX4 4QJ