Head of Digital Services; IT

Job Title: Head of Digital Services (IT)

Department: Digital & Campus Services

Contract: Full Time, Permanent

Hours: 37 hours per week

Salary: £53,352 to £62,751 per annum

Annual Leave: 36 days per annum plus statutory Bank Holidays

Pension: Local Government Pension Scheme

Be the Driving Force Behind one of the UK's Most Digitally Ambitious Colleges

Middlesbrough College is looking for an exceptional digital leader to shape the future of technology across a thriving, high-performing organisation. As a Microsoft Showcase College, we are nationally recognised for pushing the boundaries of cloud, data, and AI to transform teaching, learning, and business operations. Now, we are seeking a Head of IT who can turn this ambition into reality every single day.

This is your opportunity to lead a modern, cloud-first, security-driven IT service that supports more than 16,000 users and underpins every aspect of College life. You will work at the heart of a digitally progressive organisation, reporting directly to the Chief Technology Officer and playing a pivotal role in delivering our next phase of transformation.

This is your chance to lead IT in an organisation where digital is not an afterthought, it is a strategic priority.

The Head of Digital Services will provide strategic and operational leadership across all IT services, from infrastructure and networks to service operations, systems, cyber security, and project delivery. You will lead multidisciplinary teams, build a culture of service excellence, and ensure our digital environment is reliable, secure, scalable, and relentlessly customer-focused.

This is not a maintenance role. It is a mission-critical leadership position that shapes how staff teach, how students learn, and how the College operates.

• High-performing IT operations delivering seamless, responsive services
• A secure, resilient, cloud-first infrastructure aligned to our Digital Strategy
• Cyber security, data protection, and compliance across all systems and services
• Planning, prioritisation, and delivery of digital and IT projects
• Service performance management through metrics, SLAs, and continuous improvement
• Full lifecycle management of IT assets, procurement, and resource optimisation
• Strong, proactive relationships with curriculum and professional service teams
• Major incident leadership, escalation management, and clear communication
• Contribution to governance, risk, audit, and strategic digital initiatives

A leader who is:

• Strategic
  , with the ability to translate digital ambition into operational excellence
• Technically strong
  , with deep understanding of cloud, networks, systems, and cyber security
• People-centered
  , building high-performing teams with a strong service ethos
• Forward-thinking
  , driving innovation, automation, and continuous improvement
• Calm under pressure
  , able to lead major incidents with clarity and authority
• Collaborative
  , working across the College to improve outcomes and productivity

Please find the full job description here –Head of IT

• Substantial annual leave entitlement plus holiday purchase scheme.
• Health &Wellbeing; freegym membership, 24/7 counselling for you and your family
• Family-friendly policies: flexible hours and a supportive work environment
• Employee Assistance Programme (EAP): confidential support including and financial advice.
• Professional development: extensive training, mentoring, and career progression opportunities
• Funded CPD opportunities, regular staff development training, and paid volunteering days
• Access to discounted hair and beauty treatments at our onsite salon.
• Collegebenefit scheme - College Extras:
• Up to 15% cashback at top retailers & restaurants
• Discounted gift cards for big brands
• Ho…