Head of Quality Assurance

Spanning the historic streets of the “city of dreaming spires,” the University of Oxford has been ranked the world’s leading university for nine consecutive years. A place where centuries of tradition meet world-changing innovation, we offer you the chance to shape the future while working in an inspiring environment that promotes excellence. Here, you’ll contribute to ground-breaking research that tackles global challenges - from advancing sustainability to pioneering healthcare solutions - and join a diverse, inclusive community that champions your wellbeing, development, and aspirations.

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Head of Quality Assurance (QA). This opportunity is a key leadership role in the Programme and Projects Delivery (PPDG) group within IT Services at the University of Oxford. PPDG comprises c 140 change specialist staff and is responsible for the effective shaping, planning and delivery of a large digital investment programme governed by the University’s Information and Digital Committee and five major portfolios representing the University’s core mission and ambitions.

About the Role

We are seeking an outstanding leader to set the direction for Quality Assurance. You will bring strategic vision, the ability to lead teams through cultural and delivery change, and the experience to influence senior stakeholders across a complex academic environment. This role requires a confident, forward-thinking leader who can shape practice, build capability, and guide teams as the University moves from traditional project delivery towards agile, continuous improvement and user-centred service design.

About You

• Degree educated (or equivalent experience) with substantial relevant professional experience.
• Demonstrates forward-thinking leadership. Thinks and acts strategically, shaping long-term plans that align the team’s work with the organisation’s future priorities while leading through change with clarity and purpose.
• Excellent leadership skills to effectively lead a team through an agile delivery transition, embedding a culture of continuous improvement and developing T-shaped capability through close collaboration with other practice areas.
• Extensive experience as a QA/Test Manager working with external or internal customers in a complex organisation, defining scope, cost and benefits and directing teams to deliver programme and projects successfully.
• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to interact with staff at all levels of the collegiate University, recognising the demands of an academic environment and the specific challenges that these present.
• Proven ability in managing suppliers, substantial budgets and people in a project or programme environment.
• Proven ability to develop teams of IT professionals including objective setting, performance management, coaching and development.
• Proven ability to shape a range of diverse QA requirements into coherent and understandable strategies, architectures, and change projects and programmes.
• Proven understanding Agile ways of working, as well as waterfall delivery. Formal IS methodologies, tools, and techniques (such as TOGAF, ITIL, ISEB, PRINCE2 or MSP) and how these can be used to lift the performance with IS departments.

Application Process

To apply, please upload:

• A covering letter/supporting statement
• Your CV
• The details of two referees

The closing date for applications is 12 noon on 18 May 2026

Interviews will take place on Thursday 28th May, 2026, and will be held face-to-face.

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