Role Description

Role Title: / Interim IT Strategy Director / Department: / IT
Reports To: / Head of Support Services / Last Updated: / July 2016
Direct Reports: / IT & Systems Manager

Cambridge Enterprise

Cambridge Enterprise (CE) exists to help University of Cambridge inventors, innovators and entrepreneurs make their ideas and concepts more commercially successful for the benefit of society, the UK economy, the inventors and the University. CE delivers this through 3 business groups: Consultancy Services, Technology Transfer and Seed Funds.

Reason for Interim Nature of Role

CE has recently undertaken a review of its IT function, showing a well-managed IT estate, including systems, servers and end user computing. However CE has an aspirational 3-5 year business plan in place which will see CE improve the service it delivers to academics and researchers with increased efficiency and with the intent of becoming an exemplar for the Tech Transfer sector. These changes have the introduction of technology at its centre, and the review highlighted the need for an experienced interim technology strategist with a creative approach to adopting and implementing new technologies to set the IT strategy and help CE to achieve its goals.

Role Purpose

·  To develop an IT strategy translating CE’s 5 year business plan objectives to technical strategy providing clear guidance via a technology roadmap with a 3-5 year vision, including the future structure of the IT Team.

·  To research and recommend new IT technology solutions, both software and hardware, meeting CE’s business requirements to further engage with its customers and streamline business processes allowing staff to be more effective.

·  To work with CE strategic project groups, providing expertise, support and advice on any IT requirements that stem from these project groups.

Main Responsibilities

Key duties and responsibilities
1 / Assess the current IT systems / technology available within CE, and evaluate its effectiveness when assessed against the CE 5-yr business plan. Liaising with the CEO, the Deputy Director and other Heads of Teams to fully understand the future needs.
Identify the long term resource needs for a strategic IT Director within CE and devise the future structure of the IT team based on its current strengths and identify potential vacancies.
2 / Provide expert guidance to the Senior Management Team with regards to potential IT solutions that would present future-proof developments meeting CE’s business and system requirements.
3 / Project manage the initial implementation of new technology products ensuring excellent communication, realistic timelines, integration with existing systems and a delivery style that recognises the culture and needs of CE employees.
4 / Keep abreast of global technical solutions and architecture, with an eye for potential application within CE to enhance its customer services, improve user effectiveness, and foster innovation.
5 / Day to day management of the IT & Systems Manager providing specialist expertise, guidance and mentoring as needed to the role holder(s) in the IT Team. Planning relevant personal and professional development as and when required.
6 / Ensure that quality standards and service levels for the IT department are aligned with business expectations. Develop/Oversee development of standard operating procedures and best practices including written protocols and guidance for IT staff and users.
7 / Any other reasonable duties as requested by the Chief Executive/ Senior Management Team.

Person Specification

Role Specific / Essential / Desirable
1.  Knowledge, Skills and Experience / Demonstrable experience developing and implementing IT strategy
Understanding of the current IT technical landscape, emerging technologies and approaches
Strong proven project management skills, managing complex projects to time and budget, having led, developed, delivered and managed projects including overhauling entire business processes
Extensive experience of establishing and maintaining positive working relationships
Ability to collaborate with Senior Management and, other employees to translate CE broader objectives into cohesive IT strategy. / Understanding of HE sector
Project Management qualification
2.  Planning and Organising / Ability to manage a large and varied workload with multiple deadlines, and to progress a number of projects in parallel
Ability to take a strategic view in a fast-moving environment
High levels of self-sufficiency, capable of setting own work strategies and of working with minimal guidance
Experience of quickly and accurately gathering and communicating business requirements
Delivery orientated.
3.  Leadership and Management Skills / Evidence of excellent leadership and management skills
Actively building trust around the organisation by delivering on promises and acting with consistency
Working on issues such as team spirit, shared decision making, and collaborative working.
4.  Decision Making / Using excellent business acumen to assess risks, but to challenge CE and ensure that risk aversion does not limit success and adaption to change
Be clear about decisions which are within the remit of the role, and to take them. And provide clear, concise information to the Senior Management Team, and to pitch the information at a level that a non-technical member might understand, for decisions that need management buy-in
Act decisively.
5.  Problem Solving / Ability to analyse complex issues using innovative and creative thinking, propose and implement solutions
Ability to resolve complex issues whilst under pressure to meet deadlines.
General
IT Skills / Broad technical background
Strong working knowledge of Microsoft’s server based products
Robust analytical rigour.
Communication Skills / Excellent interpersonal and customer engagement skills, comfortable and capable of presenting to the Board. Strong influencing skills, a collaborative working style, and an ability to share information with clarity
Proven consultation skills, knowing when to seek views of employees , when to make a decision, and how to communicate it.
Financial / Numerate, with demonstrated operational, financial modelling and planning skills.
Company Competencies
1.  Achievement Focus / Work with the Deputy Director to help shape the IT strategy for CE, and use strong leadership, influencing skills, excellent communication skills, sound operational knowledge and resilience to begin to implement the vision
2.  Customer Focus / To oversee the provision of a quality, proactive, customer focussed IT service to CE staff and to ensure this aim is at the forefront of any business decisions
3.  Team Working/ Flexibility / To have the ability to build teamwork and lead and influence the IT team

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