IT and Digital Services Manager

Technology is critical to teaching, student experience and institutional reputation. We are seeking a senior IT professional who understands that reliability, security and governance are not optional. They are foundational. This role gives you full responsibility for ensuring that foundation is robust, resilient and future ready.

We are seeking an experienced and hands-on IT and Digital Services Manager to lead the delivery, security and continuity of IT services at the University of Portsmouth London Campus.

This is a senior operational leadership role with full responsibility for the local technology environment. The postholder will ensure reliable infrastructure, secure identity management, effective device and endpoint control, and seamless support for teaching and student services.

Reporting to the Chief Operating Officer, the role works closely with University of Portsmouth central IT services to maintain alignment, governance and security standards across systems and platforms. This position would suit an experienced education-sector IT leader who is comfortable operating independently while influencing campus-wide digital maturity.

About you:

You will be an experienced IT manager within a university, college or school environment, with a strong operational grip on Microsoft 365 services, identity governance and endpoint management.

You will have sound technical knowledge across network infrastructure, Entra ID, Intune and classroom technology, alongside a disciplined approach to documentation, compliance and vendor governance. You will be confident acting as the senior IT authority on campus, capable of balancing operational stability with continuous improvement.

You will also bring strong stakeholder communication skills, able to translate technical risk and strategy into clear advice for campus leadership while maintaining close working relationships with central IT team. 

Key Responsibilities: 

• Lead and maintain campus network infrastructure, including switching, firewalls, wireless and monitoring.
• Ensure operational resilience, incident response and continuity for teaching and student services.
• Oversee Microsoft 365 services, Entra ID identity governance and Microsoft Intune device management in coordination with central IT.
• Maintain secure onboarding and offboarding processes and enforce access control and MFA compliance.
• Lead cybersecurity controls, security alert response and GDPR compliance, supporting audit and regulatory requirements.
• Oversee IT service desk performance, documentation standards and escalation management.
• Manage vendor contracts, SLA performance, renewals and lifecycle planning.
• Provide structured IT governance advice to campus leadership and maintain clear system ownership boundaries with central university teams.

Essential Requirements: 

• Proven experience in IT management within an education setting.
• Strong knowledge of Microsoft 365, Entra ID and Microsoft Intune.
• Experience managing network infrastructure and endpoint security.
• Experience managing a device estate in a structured and compliant manner.
• Experience working with third-party IT vendors and managing contracts and service levels.
• Strong documentation, governance and risk management discipline.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills. 

Desirable Requirements: 

• Experience within a higher education partnership or branch campus model.
• Knowledge of Windows Autopilot.
• Experience supporting classroom AV environments.
• Familiarity with infrastructure or endpoint monitoring tools.
• Experience supporting hybrid or cloud-first environments 

Application Process: 

To apply for this position, please submit the following (via the 'Apply' button above): 

• A current CV outlining your relevant experience, qualifications and professional achievements.  
• A covering letter of no more than one page explaining how your experience meets the essential criteria and how you would approach leading IT and digital services within a campus environment.

We are a Disability Confident employer and are committed to providing reasonable adjustments throughout the recruitment process.

If you require the application process in an alternative format (for example, large print or phone application), please let us know and we will be happy to accommodate.

We may close the vacancy early if sufficient applications are received. Early applications are encouraged. 

Equal Opportunities 

At Northchild Education, we are committed to fostering an inclusive and diverse environment where everyone is treated with dignity and respect. We provide equal opportunities for all, regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, or sexual orientation. We actively encourage applications from all sections of the community and are dedicated to eliminating discrimination through fair and supportive policies and practices. Our goal is to create a vibrant academic community that reflects the diversity of society and enables all staff and students to achieve their full potential. 

Your leadership will directly influence teaching continuity, student experience and institutional resilience. If that level of responsibility motivates you, we would welcome your application.

If you have any questions, please reach out to our recruitment team at talent@northchild.com