IT Manager

Organisation: Victoria College of Arts and Design

Job Title: IT Manager

Location: Multi-campus

Employment Type: Full Time

Working Schedule: Monday to Friday

Hours: 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM (with occasional evening and weekend commitments as required by the role)

Department: IT

Salary: £35,000 – £40,000 per annum

Reports to: Deputy Director of Finance & Professional Services

Line Management Responsibility: IT Coordinators across campuses

Job Overview

The IT Manager is a senior operational and leadership role responsible for the strategic oversight, day-to-day management, and continuous improvement of IT services across all campuses. The postholder will lead and manage IT Coordinators across three campuses, ensuring consistent service delivery, robust infrastructure, and a high-quality digital experience for students and staff.

The IT Manager will also play a key role in planning, budgeting, risk management, and ensuring compliance with regulatory, data protection, and health and safety requirements.

This role requires a blend of hands-on technical competence, people management, strategic thinking, and strong stakeholder engagement.

Key Responsibilities

Leadership & Management:

• Lead, manage, and develop IT Coordinators across all campuses, providing clear direction, coaching, performance management, and professional development.
• Set priorities, allocate workloads, and ensure consistent IT service standards across campuses.
• Foster a customer-focused IT culture that delivers timely, friendly, and effective support to students and staff.
• Act as escalation point for complex or high-impact IT incidents.

Strategy, Planning & Governance:

• Develop and implement IT operational plans
• Contribute to IT budgeting, forecasting, and cost control, including hardware, software, licensing, and support contracts.
• Maintain an accurate IT asset register and oversee lifecycle management of equipment.
• Identify risks relating to IT infrastructure, cybersecurity, data protection, and service continuity, and implement mitigation plans.

Systems, Infrastructure & Security:

• Oversee the effective operation of core systems including Microsoft 365, Moodle, AV and classroom technologies, and library systems.
• Ensure reliable network connectivity, Wi-Fi coverage, and AV functionality across all campuses.
• Work with the rest of the IT team on cybersecurity controls, backups, disaster recovery, access management, and system upgrades.
• Ensure compliance with GDPR, data security policies, and institutional IT standards.

Stakeholder & Vendor Management:

• Coordinating projects, escalations, audits, and shared services.
• Manage relationships with external suppliers, contractors, and service providers, ensuring value for money and service quality.
• Work closely with Academic Teams, Registry, Facilities, Quality, and Senior Management to support teaching, learning, and operational needs.

Service Delivery & User Support:

• Oversee IT support services delivered via ticketing systems, email, and in-person support, ensuring SLAs and response standards are met.
• Ensure smooth IT support for key academic activities including enrolment, induction, teaching delivery, assessments, and examinations.
• Lead communication to staff and students on system changes, outages, and planned maintenance.

Compliance, Health & Safety & Events:

• Ensure IT operations comply with health and safety requirements, including safe use of equipment and contractor compliance.
• Support audits, inspections, and regulatory requests relating to IT systems and data.
• Ensure appropriate IT support is in place for open days, exams, events, and peak academic periods.

Qualifications & Skills

Essential:

• Significant experience in an IT management or senior IT support role.
• Proven experience managing staff and delivering IT services across multiple sites.
• Strong working knowledge of Microsoft 365(AZURE, Intune), Kandji MDM (Apple Devices), learning platforms (e.g. Moodle), AV/classroom technologies, and user account management.
• Strong Networking Knowledge (Ubiquiti UniFi Network Appliances, Hikvision CCTV appliances)
• Experience working with central or group IT functions in a matrix or group structure.
• Sound understanding of GDPR, data protection, cybersecurity principles, and IT risk management.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to engage both technical and non-technical audiences.
• Strong organisational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines.
• Degree in IT, Computer Science, or a related field (or equivalent professional experience).

Desirable:

• Experience working in Higher Education or a regulated education environment.
• Knowledge of student information systems and digital assessment platforms.
• ITIL or similar service management framework experience.
• Experience contributing to IT strategy, digital transformation, or systems implementation projects.
• Familiarity with scripting, automation, or reporting tools.

Benefits

• Annual leave (7.2 weeks)
• Workplace pension scheme.
• Company Sick Pay.
• Statutory maternity and paternity pay.
• Employee Assistance Programme (HA Wisdom Wellbeing)
• Virtual GP access (Livi)
• 'Speak Up Service' - confidential support service to report any workplace concerns
• Specialist physical and mental wellbeing support services with 24/7 confidential counselling support (Wisdom)
• Specialist menopause support, including online CBT (Wisdom)
• Financial, legal and medical advice services provided (Wisdom)
• Life & Leadership coaching (Wisdom)
• Financial coaching (MUNNY)
• Discounts and perks, offering savings on shopping, activities and more (Bright Exchange)
• Self-development and Self-taught trainings