Head of Communications, Digital and IT
Applications for this vacancy closed on 28 April 2025 at 12:00PM
**Head of Communications- Digital and IT**
**Contract:** 2 year Fixed Term Contract. This ais also available as a
secondment opportunity.
**Hours:** Full-time however, Part-time at 80% will be considered
**Please note-** This is an internal opportunity, external applicants need not
apply.
We are seeking an experienced communications professional to lead the
development and implementation of an integrated communications strategy
covering digital and IT services.
This exciting new role provides an opportunity to establish a unified
communications function for the services that will be overseen by the Chief
Digital Information Officer (CDIO). You will oversee engaged and proactive
support to ensure a high-quality experience for end-users, ensuring that
activity is aligned with organisational strategy and priorities. You will also
review the resilience of the communications function given the likely demands
on the team in the short to medium term, make recommendations to the Deputy
CDIO and CDIO regarding optimal structure and resources, and implement any
changes agreed.
If you are interested in this opportunity we look forward to your application.
**What We Offer**
As an employer, we genuinely care about our employees’ wellbeing, and this is
reflected in the range of benefits that we offer including:
* An excellent contributory pension scheme
* 38 days annual leave
* A comprehensive range of childcare services
* Family leave schemes
* Cycle loan scheme
* Discounted bus travel and Season Ticket travel loans
* Membership to a variety of social and sports clubs
This role also offers the opportunity for hybrid working, a minimum of two
days per week on site.
**About the Role**
* The University’s central IT Services function of around 390 staff will shortly be reconfigured into two units – the Digital Governance Unit (DGU) and IT Services (ITS). The Digital Governance Unit and IT Services will both report to the Chief Digital & Information Officer (CDIO), under recruitment.
* This change has been driven by the University’s adoption of a new digital governance structure which has shifted the focus of digital delivery to a partnership model, led by business need. Five portfolios for digital services and platforms have been created: Education, Research, Administration, Engagement & Dissemination, and Technology. The Digital Governance Unit will support alignment, coordination, and governance across these portfolio structures. IT Services will focus on service delivery in partnership with the business.
* The communications function in digital and IT is embedded in different pockets of digital and technology services, in areas such as internal service communications, business as usual, the Projects and Programmes Delivery Group (PPDG), and digital transformation. The new post of Head of Communications- Digital and IT will assume professional line management of all communications staff in both DGU and ITS, who will retain a dotted line to their local area principal as appropriate.
* As Head of Communications- Digital and IT you will ensure that communication and engagement support across the CDIO’s teams is joined up and effective. You will develop the communication practice to ensure that existing resources are used flexibly and innovatively to deliver the best outcomes for end-users and key stakeholders in terms of clear, targeted, proportionate, and timely communication and engagement. Working closely with existing staff, you will shape, develop and implement the communications strategy, ensuring that departments, colleges, and end-users have a good understanding of the new organisational structure.
**About You**
* This is a senior role that requires significant communications experience, with the ability to lead and inspire a team, and influence at all levels, including senior executives.
* We are looking for someone with Oxford University experience who understands the complexities of communications and engagement within a large, devolved organisation. Alongside local knowledge you will need expert professional experience. You will have previously developed and implemented complex communications strategies which have delivered value and tangible outcomes.
* You will have highly effective professional and personal judgement to be able to thrive in a complex operational environment with confidence. Excellent interpersonal skills are essential, and you will need the ability to juggle priorities and meet tight deadlines.
* You will have an innovative and forward-thinking approach and be able to inspire those around you both personally and through a range of media.
**Application Process**
You will be required to upload a covering letter/supporting statement, CV and
the details of two referees as part of your online application.
The **closing date** for applications is 12 noon on **Monday 28 April 2025. **
**Interviews** will take place on **Wednesday 7 or Thursday 8 May 2025** and
will be in person in central Oxford.
If you would like an informal chat about the role please contact **Rachel
Meyrick** , Interim Head of DGU rachel.meyrick@digital.ox.ac.uk
**Contract:** 2 year Fixed Term Contract. This ais also available as a
secondment opportunity.
**Hours:** Full-time however, Part-time at 80% will be considered
**Please note-** This is an internal opportunity, external applicants need not
apply.
We are seeking an experienced communications professional to lead the
development and implementation of an integrated communications strategy
covering digital and IT services.
This exciting new role provides an opportunity to establish a unified
communications function for the services that will be overseen by the Chief
Digital Information Officer (CDIO). You will oversee engaged and proactive
support to ensure a high-quality experience for end-users, ensuring that
activity is aligned with organisational strategy and priorities. You will also
review the resilience of the communications function given the likely demands
on the team in the short to medium term, make recommendations to the Deputy
CDIO and CDIO regarding optimal structure and resources, and implement any
changes agreed.
If you are interested in this opportunity we look forward to your application.
**What We Offer**
As an employer, we genuinely care about our employees’ wellbeing, and this is
reflected in the range of benefits that we offer including:
* An excellent contributory pension scheme
* 38 days annual leave
* A comprehensive range of childcare services
* Family leave schemes
* Cycle loan scheme
* Discounted bus travel and Season Ticket travel loans
* Membership to a variety of social and sports clubs
This role also offers the opportunity for hybrid working, a minimum of two
days per week on site.
**About the Role**
* The University’s central IT Services function of around 390 staff will shortly be reconfigured into two units – the Digital Governance Unit (DGU) and IT Services (ITS). The Digital Governance Unit and IT Services will both report to the Chief Digital & Information Officer (CDIO), under recruitment.
* This change has been driven by the University’s adoption of a new digital governance structure which has shifted the focus of digital delivery to a partnership model, led by business need. Five portfolios for digital services and platforms have been created: Education, Research, Administration, Engagement & Dissemination, and Technology. The Digital Governance Unit will support alignment, coordination, and governance across these portfolio structures. IT Services will focus on service delivery in partnership with the business.
* The communications function in digital and IT is embedded in different pockets of digital and technology services, in areas such as internal service communications, business as usual, the Projects and Programmes Delivery Group (PPDG), and digital transformation. The new post of Head of Communications- Digital and IT will assume professional line management of all communications staff in both DGU and ITS, who will retain a dotted line to their local area principal as appropriate.
* As Head of Communications- Digital and IT you will ensure that communication and engagement support across the CDIO’s teams is joined up and effective. You will develop the communication practice to ensure that existing resources are used flexibly and innovatively to deliver the best outcomes for end-users and key stakeholders in terms of clear, targeted, proportionate, and timely communication and engagement. Working closely with existing staff, you will shape, develop and implement the communications strategy, ensuring that departments, colleges, and end-users have a good understanding of the new organisational structure.
**About You**
* This is a senior role that requires significant communications experience, with the ability to lead and inspire a team, and influence at all levels, including senior executives.
* We are looking for someone with Oxford University experience who understands the complexities of communications and engagement within a large, devolved organisation. Alongside local knowledge you will need expert professional experience. You will have previously developed and implemented complex communications strategies which have delivered value and tangible outcomes.
* You will have highly effective professional and personal judgement to be able to thrive in a complex operational environment with confidence. Excellent interpersonal skills are essential, and you will need the ability to juggle priorities and meet tight deadlines.
* You will have an innovative and forward-thinking approach and be able to inspire those around you both personally and through a range of media.
**Application Process**
You will be required to upload a covering letter/supporting statement, CV and
the details of two referees as part of your online application.
The **closing date** for applications is 12 noon on **Monday 28 April 2025. **
**Interviews** will take place on **Wednesday 7 or Thursday 8 May 2025** and
will be in person in central Oxford.
If you would like an informal chat about the role please contact **Rachel
Meyrick** , Interim Head of DGU rachel.meyrick@digital.ox.ac.uk
| dc:spatial |
IT Services, Dartington House, Oxford
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| vacancy:applicationClosingDate |
2025-04-28 12:00:00+01:00
|
| vacancy:applicationOpeningDate |
2025-04-04 09:00:00+01:00
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False
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| vacancy:salary | |
| type | |
| comment |
Head of Communications- Digital and IT Contract: 2 year Fixed Term Contract. This ais also available as a secondment opportunity. Hours: Full-time however, Part-time at 80% will be considered Please note- This is an internal opportunity, external applicants need not apply. We are seeking an experienced communications professional to lead the development and implementation of an integrated communications strategy covering digital and IT services. This exciting new role provides an opportunity to establish a unified communications function for the services that will be overseen by the Chief Digital Information Officer (CDIO). You will oversee engaged and proactive ... **Head of Communications- Digital and IT**
**Contract:** 2 year Fixed Term Contract. This ais also available as a secondment opportunity. **Hours:** Full-time however, Part-time at 80% will be considered **Please note-** This is an internal opportunity, external applicants need not apply. We are seeking an experienced communications professional to lead the development and implementation of an integrated communications strategy covering digital and IT services. This exciting new role provides an opportunity to establish a unified communications function for the services that will be overseen by the Chief Digital Information Officer (CDIO). You will oversee engaged and proactive support to ensure ... |
| label |
Head of Communications, Digital and IT
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| notation |
179121
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| based near | |
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