Head of Corporate IT

About Us

Diamond Light Source is the UK’s national synchrotron science facility. By accelerating electrons to near light-speed, Diamond generates brilliant beams of light from infra-red to X-rays which are used for academic and industry research and development across a range of scientific disciplines including structural biology, physics, chemistry, materials science, engineering, earth and environmental sciences.

Diamond is one of the most advanced scientific facilities in the world, and its pioneering capabilities and talented staff are helping to keep the UK at the forefront of scientific research.

About the Role

We now have an excellent opportunity to lead and manage Diamond’s Corporate IT function to deliver Diamond wide IT services, including:

IT Infrastructure

• Lead the delivery of Diamond wide IT Infrastructure to support and secure corporate applications.
• Engage with Directors, group leaders and stakeholders to lead on definition, selection, implementation, development, and support of internal and external business applications.
• Deliver appropriate and fit for purpose infrastructure to support Diamond wide services.
• Lead and manage the delivery of operational IT security Disaster Recovery, data management and capacity planning.
• Lead and manage the cyber security function, setting strategic direction.

IT Helpdesk

• Lead the team to deliver efficient and timely IT Helpdesk service to all Diamond staff.
• Lead the design, delivery, support and operation of multimedia in meeting rooms, beamlines and common areas.

Networking and operational IT security

• Manage the design and delivery of general cabling and infrastructure for new building and beamlines.
• Lead the team to deliver appropriate beamlines and electron microscopes network support.
• Lead the team to proactively improve resilience and security of the IT infrastructure.
• Deliver telephony service, continually assess and improve to meet business needs.

Hardware and Software

• Lead the Helpdesk team to manage Diamond wide software and hardware specification, orders, delivery, and installation.
• Responsible for the delivery of effective software licensing strategy.

Corporate IT Team

• Management and development of the team of over 15 team members.

Systems Development and Project Management

• Through product owner, consulting with Diamond group leaders, executives, and other IT groups, direct the delivery of operational enterprise wide MS365 service and functionality to:
• Standardise and secure end user devices and software delivery.
• Fully supported teams and SharePoint services.
• Reduce information repositories by consolidation.
• Development of the use of AI (Copilot) and its use throughout the organisation.

Stakeholder Engagement

• Ensure all suppliers deliver quality service which balances cost and control.
• Regularly report to Director on systems strategic direction, status, development and implementation.

Budgeting and Planning

• Ownership of the Corporate IT budget, maintaining budget at or below agreed levels.
• Contribute to the forecast and 10-year planning process.

Occasional UK and overseas travel will be required, along with occasional unsociable hours when circumstances require this.

About You

You will have a degree in an appropriate software or technical discipline or demonstrate significant equivalent experience.

You will demonstrate experience of:

• Leading a team of technical support staff, including managing budgets, training, professional development and directing priorities.
• Successfully establishing, managing, and delivering diverse IT services in a mixed business, science and technical environment.
• Current technologies including Telephony, Multimedia, cyber security and mobile devices.
• Web Frontend and Middleware software technologies support and development.
• A wide range of IT areas including software, architecture storage, networking and cyber security.

You will have wide knowledge of software and hardware architecture techniques particularly cloud based, as well as significant knowledge of Windows operating system.

You will also display knowledge of business application software for functionality such as procurement finance, human resources, etc.

You will demonstrate your ability to:

• Lead a diverse team within complex, challenging and demanding technical and business IT environment.
• Establish new projects and prioritise and refine them for practical delivery.
• Lead project planning, management and deployment including stakeholder requirements consultations.
• Plan, manage and deliver within departmental budget of over £1.5m

You will display good interpersonal, communication and presentation skills, with the ability to interact, influence and negotiate at all levels internally and externally.

Benefits

Diamond offers an exceptional benefits package to support staff in achieving a positive work/life balance. This includes 26 days annual leave plus Christmas closure, public holidays, 2 annual volunteering days and flexible working hours. We also offer an excellent defined benefit pension scheme. Staff also have access to a range of amenities on site including a nursery, cafes, a restaurant and sports and leisure facilities. A relocation allowance may also be available where applicable.

As standard this role offers a hybrid working arrangement with a minimum of 3 days working onsite per week.

To Apply

Please use the online application process to apply and tell us why you believe you are suitable for this role.

The closing date for applications is 30th November, however, we encourage early applications as candidates may be reviewed and interviewed on an ongoing basis.