Head of ITSG Operations

Location: Manor Road Building / Central Oxford

Shape the Digital Future of Oxford’s Social Sciences Division 

The Social Sciences Division at the University of Oxford is one of the world’s largest and most accomplished groups of social science departments, renowned for its cutting-edge research, global impact, and academic excellence. 

Oxford has been ranked as one of the top world’s top university for nine consecutive years. At the heart of this success, the Social Sciences Division plays a vital role—generating insight, informing policy, and driving societal change. Here, you’ll be part of a vibrant, interdisciplinary community committed to shaping a better future through world-leading research and teaching. 

This is a rare opportunity for a forward-thinking IT leader to take on the pivotal role of Head of ITSG Operations within the Social Sciences Division. You will help drive a progressive, collaborative, and service-oriented IT strategy across multiple departments and play a key role in delivering digital innovation to support research, teaching, and professional services. 

What We Offer

Working at the University of Oxford offers several exclusive benefits, including:

• 38 days of annual leave to support your wellbeing, with the option to purchase up to 10 extra days and additional leave after long service.
• One of the most generous maternity and adoption leave schemes in UK higher education, offering up to 26 weeks of full-pay leave, followed by additional statutory and unpaid leave options.
• A commitment to hybrid and flexible working to suit your lifestyle.
• An excellent contributory pension scheme.
• Affordable and sustainable commuting options, including a cycle loan scheme, discounted bus travel, and season ticket loans.
• Access to a vibrant community through our social, cultural, and sports clubs.

About the Role

As Head of ITSG Operations, you will lead the divisional Shared IT Service, supporting digital infrastructure and innovation across seven departments within the Social Sciences Division. This senior role is key to enabling departments to meet their digital ambitions, while ensuring effective risk management and compliance with university-wide IT standards. 

Working closely with the Divisional Head of Technology, you will shape and deliver the ITSG strategic roadmap, manage a team of IT specialists and embedded associates, and act as a trusted advisor to senior academic and administrative leaders. You’ll also play an instrumental role in implementing best practice in service delivery, governance, and change management across the division. 

This role is at the forefront of collaborative digital transformation within the University—driving forward scalable, secure, and high-impact IT services that underpin Oxford’s global research excellence. 

About You

You will be an experienced IT leader with a background in service delivery, technical strategy, and stakeholder engagement. You should have the ability to influence at a senior level, inspire multidisciplinary teams, and manage complex service portfolios and budgets. You will bring a forward-thinking mindset to innovation, service design, and continual improvement, and possess the skills to embed robust risk management and change processes within a dynamic academic environment. 

Essential to your success will be a strong track record in managing infrastructure services, staff leadership, and building trusted relationships with stakeholders across technical and non-technical domains. Experience in higher education or similarly complex organisations is desirable.

If you’re excited by the opportunity to lead transformative digital change in one of the world’s leading academic environments, we’d love to hear from you.

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