Director of Information Technology

Director of Information Technology Candidate Brief

Contents

The University ....................................................................................................................................... 2

Our Strategy ......................................................................................................................................... 3 The Opportunity ................................................................................................................................... 4

Role Profile ........................................................................................................................................... 5 Person Specification ............................................................................................................................. 6

Living & Working in Glasgow ................................................................................................................ 9 Application Procedure ........................................................................................................................ 11

Selection Process ................................................................................................................................ 12

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The University Glasgow Caledonian University, the University for the Common Good, is a values-led, vibrant, multi-

cultural, international University with a strong sense of purpose including a clear commitment to social

justice and sustainability.

The University is ranked forty-third in the world in The Times Higher Education University1 Social

Impact Rankings, the only global performance tables that assess universities against the Sustainable

Development Goals (SDGs). The University has also been recognised as one of the eight UK institutions

best positioned to meet the challenges thrown up by the COVID-19 pandemic.2

Our welcoming University community of 1,500 staff and 20,000 students from more than 100

countries, delivers excellence in learning and teaching with research in key areas leading to us being

rated as the top modern University in Scotland by research power3.

The University has received a wide range of awards for our widening participation activities, our

support services and our state of the art facilities at our core campuses in Glasgow and London as well

as Glasgow Caledonian New York College (GCNYC). Our commitment to delivering for the common

good is deeply embedded in our educational offering and research undertakings.

We are sector leaders in providing graduate apprenticeships in Scotland, and our wide range of

professionally accredited courses and industry links has resulted in an excellent graduate employment

or further study rate of 95% (Higher Education Statistics Agency, 2019). We are also successful at home

and with overseas partners, in crafting co-created, work-based programmes with industry, as in our

initiative with Transnet Freight Rail in South Africa.

Our Chancellor, Dr Annie Lennox OBE, is a clarion voice in HIV and Aids prevention activism, education

and global feminism. The Royal Academician, singer-songwriter, and philanthropist is proud to be

Chancellor of a university that is number one in Scotland for promoting gender equality and decent

work and economic growth – and second and third in the UK respectively4. In addition, 40% of our

professors are female; the gender pay gap is amongst the lowest in the sector; research focusing on

social innovation is privileged and we are committed to raising aspirations and widening access to

education to students from the most challenging backgrounds.

1 Times Higher Education (THE) University Impact Rankings April 2020 2 DataPoints Merit Award - THE Awards 3 REF 2014 4 Times Higher Education (THE) University Impact Rankings April 2020

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Our Strategy We have recently launched our Strategy 2030, which builds upon our strong sense of purpose and

provides a bold and ambitious vision for the coming decade.

Our distinctive vision is to be a world-leading university for social innovation. This vision underscores

our commitment to delivering social impact through our education and research within the

overarching framework of the Sustainable Development Goals issued by the United Nations.

The Strategy also redefines and strengthens our collaborative work to promote health and wellbeing

in the communities we serve both locally and globally. This will, of course, be hugely important in the

post-pandemic recovery period. It signals the major role that universities such as Glasgow Caledonian

University continue to play in crafting socially just, inclusive and sustainable societies.

Our Mission

Glasgow Caledonian University is the University for the Common Good.

Our Vision

Our ambition is to be a world leading university for social innovation, delivering transformative

education and impactful research through purposeful partnerships as a globally connected university

with an engaged University community committed to the Common Good.

Our Values

Our values of integrity, creativity, responsibility and confidence have been selected by staff and

students of the University. A Value on its own is just a word. We want our Values to be lived, to drive

and define us.

To achieve this, we have captured the definition of each of our Values within a set of benchmark

behaviours. These aspirational statements clarify the things we would like to be recognised for and

help us in evaluating and improving our current practices.

There are two types of GCU benchmark statement:

• those that describe the behaviours we aspire to as an organisation; and

• those that describe how we as individual members of GCU aspire to live our values depending

on our role within the University.

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Equality and Diversity

As the University for the Common Good, equality and diversity are at the heart of everything that we

do. Our Equality Outcomes 2017-2021 specify our actions to eliminate discrimination, advance

equality of opportunity and foster good relations. They are clearly aligned with our Strategy 2030 and

the associated goals, as well as our GCU Values, with the overall aim of reducing inequalities and

making a positive difference. We take a whole institution approach and are committed to ensuring

that equality and diversity are mainstreamed into our core functions, and as such, we welcome

applications from all suitably qualified candidates who can demonstrate this commitment.

Athena SWAN at GCU

Glasgow Caledonian University has been formally recognised for its commitment to promoting gender

equality by attaining the prestigious Athena SWAN Institutional Bronze Award. Our actions to support

gender equality have resulted in the year-on-year reduction of our overall gender pay gap, and the

increase in the proportion of female professors (from 25% in 2012 to 40% in 2018).

GCU signed the Athena SWAN Charter in 2011 and we reaffirmed our commitment by signing up to

the new May 2015 principles, which cover arts, humanities, social sciences, business and law subjects,

staff in professional and support roles and trans staff and students. As such, we welcome applications

from all suitably qualified candidates irrespective of gender, and other protected characteristics such

as race and disability.

The Opportunity We are continuing our transformational journey to become a ‘digital university’ delivering digital

solutions to underpin our ambitious 2030 Strategy through our technology enabling plan. We are

seeking to appoint a Director of Information Technology to lead this exciting and important challenge.

This is an open-ended appointment and you will report Chief Operating Officer as part of a strong and

collaborative team. As a University Director, you will play an integral part in the leadership of and the

continuing success of the University and will demonstrate a commitment to the University values and

strategic direction.

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Role Profile

Purpose: The Director of Information Technology will provide strategic transformational leadership in developing and delivering the University wide information technology, resources and infrastructure.

Main Accountabilities & Responsibilities:

1. Provide strategic and operational leadership for the University’s IT Services, setting out a clear technological roadmap for the University that will deliver agreed targets towards Strategy 2030, and in keeping with the University values.

2. Influence and lead thinking about the application of IT across all areas of the University activity, specifically but not exclusively concentrating on risk security and compliance requirements.

3. Lead the development and implementation of the GCU Information Technology and associated operational plans, enabling plan to support the delivery of our Strategy 2030 ambitions, ensuring that technology takes a leading role in underpinning the University’s mission and delivers a high quality services.

4. Lead a team of professional staff to deliver technologies and systems that meet the needs of staff and students in accordance with GCU’s People Leadership & Management Accountabilities.

5. Oversee the integration, development and maintenance of systems across the University to ensure that there is a solid, secure and efficient infrastructure that meets user needs.

6. Play a key role in supporting, facilitating and delivering improvements in business processes and services to students.

7. Accountable for delivering flexible, cost effective and responsive product and service solutions across all University sites.

8. Promote the role of IT services within the University, and establish excellent working relationships with Schools and Directorates to identify develop and deliver programmes and services to meet user needs.

9. Develop and implement appropriate monitoring and evaluation processes to ensure the continuous improvement and enhancement of the services provided by the IT Directorate.

10. Ensure IT policies and standards are implemented and maintained.

11. Represent the University at relevant external groups and on national committees and identify and adopt key developments in the field in respect of IT and best practice.

12. Deploy an innovative approach to sourcing services and strengthen managing supplier relationships in order to successfully partner with commercial organisations and shared service providers to deliver customer focused solutions.

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Person Specification E=Essential, i.e. candidate must meet all essential criteria to be considered for selection, D=Desirable)

Education and/or Professional Qualifications

E1 Educated to degree level D1 Relevant postgraduate qualification

D2 Appropriate management qualification

Experience & Knowledge

E2 Significant management experience of multi-disciplinary IT services provision within a large and complex organisation.

D3 Experience of working in the HE sector

E3 Broad technical knowledge and understanding of IT and information systems with ability to manage and develop a team with leading edge knowledge of IT systems and solutions.

E4 Substantial people leadership and management experience within a medium/large organisation. This experience need not be in Higher Education but the ability to demonstrate some familiarity and considerable empathy with the challenges of the University sector.

E5 Track record in the provision of quality customer service to a diverse range of users including leading on programmes of continuous service improvement.

E6 Effective change management experience to bring about significant improvements in delivery and/or wide policy change and implementation.

E7 A proven track record in strategic planning and management of significant financial and human resources.

E8 Exceptional track record of delivering effective transformational change in particular in relation to implementation of new corporate and other systems.

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E9 Evidence of negotiating and successfully managing complex relationships with internal and external customers and third party supplier relationship management.

E10 Experience of IT compliance management.

E11 Leadership skills and outstanding interpersonal and negotiation skills with the ability to influence in the wider community.

Skills and Behaviours

E12 Implements strategies to develop, empower and encourage others to take intuitive and drive change

E13 Build confidence in others and themselves through collaboration, positive results and celebrates success

E14 Creates and promotes communication channels to promote directorate values, messages and profile to internal and external stakeholders

E15 Creates a culture that values performance and makes measurement part of everyday language. Ensure that measures that are linked to Directorate strategy and KPI’s

Remuneration package

An attractive remuneration package is offered, including a salary which reflects the experience that

the successful candidate is able to bring to the role.

Pension Scheme

Individuals can opt to join either the Universities Superannuation Scheme (if a current a member of

this scheme) or the Strathclyde Pension Fund. Remuneration will be subject to personal contributions

and employer contributions. Individuals are automatically entered into a scheme unless a written

declaration to opt out is made.

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Location

The main location will be the University’s Glasgow campus. However, as the University operates

campuses globally, there will be a requirement to work at any other location.

Annual Leave & Occupational Sick Pay Entitlement

Annual leave entitlement is 30 days plus 11 public holidays. Occupational sick pay will be paid (subject

to length of service).

Benefits

The University offers a range of benefits to staff in addition to the basic remuneration package (subject

to availability), including:

• Child Care Vouchers

• Occupational Health – access to an OH Nurse or Physician

• Day nursery on site

• On-site gym (membership payable on an individual basis)

• Staff Library resource

• Preferred pricing for computers

Relocation

Individuals who need to move in order to take up their post may be eligible for relocation expenses

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Living & Working in Glasgow If you live outside Glasgow or even Scotland, a move to Glasgow could be an enriching experience for

you and your family.

A modern, forward-thinking and creative city, Glasgow is one of the UK's leading metropolitan centres

with a lively culture, leisure and sports scene. Various respected travel guides have voted Glasgow one

of the world’s top tourist destinations, noting the warmth and friendliness of its people as one of its

key attractions. It has the buzz and cosmopolitan feel of a great international city, while being within

easy reach of some of the most spectacular countryside and scenery Scotland has to offer.

In 2014, Glasgow played host to the XX Commonwealth Games, an unforgettable celebration of sport

and culture, hailed as the “best-ever” Games, which has left a lasting legacy for young people, business

and communities.

The City The city of Glasgow has plenty to see and do for people of all ages and backgrounds. The largest and

most cosmopolitan shopping centre in the UK outside of London, it is supported by a fabulous range

of cafés, restaurants, bars and clubs to suit all tastes, all within easy access of the University.

Culturally, Glasgow has enhanced its reputation in recent years by winning the titles of ‘European City

of Culture’ and ‘UK City of Architecture and Design’. Glasgow is home to Scottish Ballet, Scottish Opera,

the Royal Scottish National Orchestra and the impressive Glasgow Royal Concert Hall. Free galleries

and museums add to a stimulating environment in which the influence of Charles Rennie Mackintosh,

the world-famous Art Nouveau designer and architect, is often seen. 2014 also saw the opening of the

SSE Hydro, one of the largest and busiest entertainment venues in the UK, which played a central role

in the Commonwealth Games and will host around 140 events each year. It is set to rank among the

top five busiest indoor entertainment arenas in the world alongside such iconic venues as Madison

Square Gardens in New York and The O2 in London.

Glasgow is home to people from many nationalities that enrich the experience of life in the city,

resulting in a tolerant, cosmopolitan city attuned to the needs of its communities. The city’s many

centres of worship reflect its multi-faith society and this is also mirrored on the Glasgow campus

where there is a faith and belief centre for students and staff.

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Travel The Clyde Valley offers a range of rural and urban locations and travel to work times and distances are

relatively short. Congestion is rare, with the area well served by the largest suburban rail network

outside London. A comprehensive motorway system, the M74/M6 gives direct access to the South

and the West Coast main line provides direct, fast rail services to London and major English cities.

There’s also a fast rail link from Glasgow to Edinburgh every 15 minutes. The city is served by a major

international airport, only a 15-minute drive from the city centre.

The rest of Scotland is, quite literally, on your doorstep. For business or pleasure cities such as

Edinburgh, Stirling, Perth, the majestic Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park, Ayrshire and

the Clyde Coast are all less than an hour away. Journey times by train from Glasgow City Centre:

Edinburgh 50 minutes Stirling 30 minutes Perth 60 minutes

Loch Lomond 45 minutes Clyde Coast 45 minutes

Living The area offers excellent opportunities in both rural and city living. The countryside is never more than

a few miles away while the city has a unique buzz and friendly vibe. With its central Scottish location,

there is easy access to the whole of Scotland and North of England.

Whether you’re looking for modern or traditional housing styles, city or village location, the area offers

a wide range of housing types and prices. The housing market remains strong, but prices are

substantially lower than almost any part of England. The University is ideally located in Glasgow’s city

centre, which has excellent car, bus and rail links as well as superb local amenities.

Glasgow has its own underground train service which runs on a dual-circle line through the city’s

centre, west end and south side of the River Clyde. Two of the underground stations, Buchanan St and

Cowcaddens, are within easy walking distance of the university.

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Application Procedure GCU has appointed Veredus, an executive search firm, to advise on this appointment.

To apply for this post, you will need to submit the following documentation by no later than 5pm on

Friday 9th April 2021.

1. A CV setting out your career history, with key responsibilities and achievements.

2. A Supporting Statement (approximately two pages of A4) explaining how you consider

your personal skills, qualities and experience provide evidence of your suitability for the

role, with particular reference to the criteria in the Person Specification.

3. A completed Diversity Monitoring Form and Candidate Supporting Information Form*

*- Forms can be downloaded from the Veredus job page below.

Applicants must have the right to work and live in the UK, and applications should be sent via Veredus

website – www.veredus.co.uk, quoting reference number 26315.

All submissions will receive an automated response. If you do not receive confirmation of receipt when

submitting your application, please contact us on 0207 932 4236.

At Veredus, we take care to protect the privacy of our candidates and clients. To read more about how

we collect, store and share your data please read our privacy notice which can be accessed here:

https://www.veredus.co.uk/privacy-and-cookies

Further Information If you have any questions about the role or would like to discuss the post further, please contact our advising consultants at Veredus: James Griffin on 07736 491 816 or Nataliya Starik-Bludova on 07717 003 792. As the University for the Common Good, Glasgow Caledonian University is committed to embedding equality and diversity, as well as our values in everything that we do. As such, we welcome applications from all suitably qualified candidates who demonstrate the GCU Values.

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Selection Process We are keen to provide a selection process designed to meet the requirements for the role and

delivers on our values as a University. On this basis, we will be inviting shortlisted candidates to

attend a competency based interview, which will include a presentation to the Interview Panel and a

tour of the University and facilities. This is a two-way process, so please take the chance to ask

questions at any given opportunity.