Departmental IT Manager

The Institute of Astronomy (IoA) is a highly computer-reliant department in the School of Physical Sciences at the University of Cambridge, and is engaged in teaching and research in the fields of theoretical and observational Astronomy. There is a vacancy for a Departmental IT Manager to lead the IoA's IT team, whose members are collectively responsible for providing and/or supporting all the IT services used at the IoA, including the network, audio-visual services, Linux compute servers, storage servers, desktops, laptops and phones. While part of the team, the Departmental IT Manager has overall responsibility for the portfolio and quality of the services provided, and for maintaining business continuity. The IoA's IT strategy is formed by the Computing Oversight Committee, with the Departmental IT Manager playing a key role in strategic planning, project prioritisation and planning of the annual IT budget.

The Departmental IT Manager will be an experienced line manager with good leadership skills and a background in providing services in a secure networked Linux environment. The role-holder will have a good understanding of technical details for the IT services in the portfolio and be able to troubleshoot complex technical problems. They will be an excellent communicator and have outstanding interpersonal skills. The Departmental IT Manager's responsibilities include managing the IT team's workflow, the personal development of team members and promoting a positive working environment.

More information about the role is attached in the 'Further Particulars' document, click the 'Apply' button above. 

Conversations about flexible working are encouraged at the University of Cambridge. More information on the University's flexible working policy can be found here: https://www.hr.admin.cam.ac.uk/policies-procedures-z/flexible-working

Informal enquiries are welcomed and should be directed to Mark Wyatt at wyatt@ast.cam.ac.uk or Debora Sijacki via: deboras@ast.cam.ac.uk in the first instance, quoting reference number LG46762.

If you have any queries regarding the application process, please contact: HR@ast.cam.ac.uk.

We are ideally seeking a start date by December 2025, though there is some flexibility depending on individual circumstances.

To apply online for this vacancy and to view further information about the role, please click the 'Apply' button above. 

The closing date for applications is: 23:59 BST on 21st September 2025

The anticipated interview date is: Week commencing 13th October 2025

Please provide the contact details of two employment-related referees in your online application form, one of whom should be your most recent line manager.

Please upload a full curriculum vitae (CV), and a covering letter describing how you are suited to this role, paying particular attention to the Person Specification criteria listed in the Further Particulars.

Please quote reference LG46762 on your application and in any correspondence about this vacancy.

The University actively supports equality, diversity and inclusion and encourages applications from all sections of society.

The University has a number of family-friendly policies and initiatives, including a returning-carer scheme, childcare costs support, university workplace nurseries, university holiday play-schemes, and a shared parental-leave policy.

The University has a responsibility to ensure that all employees are eligible to live and work in the UK.

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