Chief Information Officer

The University of Birmingham is a research-intensive institution ranked in the top 100 globally, with a diverse community of over 42,000 students from 150 countries and more than 10,000 staff. A £1.1bn organisation and a member of the Russell Group, the University has just celebrated its 125th anniversary. Its heritage as Britain's original "redbrick" now combines with an ambitious agenda to become a global top 50 institution — an aspiration underpinned by four successive years of rises in the QS World University Rankings, to 68th. Over 92% of our research is rated world-leading or internationally excellent, and we are one of the most targeted UK universities by graduate employers.

We are seeking an exceptional Chief Information Officer. With more than 300 staff and an investment of over £130m in digital strategy over five years, IT Services provides the infrastructure, applications and digital services that underpin research, teaching and operations across our campuses in Birmingham and Dubai.

As a member of the Professional Services Leadership Team, the CIO will shape and deliver the University's digital and technology agenda — spanning digital transformation, data and analytics, enterprise IT, cybersecurity and AI. The postholder will lead the ongoing refresh of our Digital Strategy, working closely with the Registrar, Secretary, and COO to align it with the Birmingham 2030 Strategic Framework and the University's developing strategy for artificial intelligence. This is a rare opportunity to make a lasting impact at one of the UK's largest universities.

You will be a senior technology leader with a strong track record of driving digital transformation at scale in a complex organisation, experience of leading large and diverse teams, and the ability to work collaboratively across many disciplines. Above all, you will bring empathy for the aims and culture of a world-class academic community.

For informal inquiries please contact Harvir Bains at Harvir.Bains@perrettlaver.com.

The deadline to submit the application is 11:59pm on 19 July 2026.

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