Director of Information
Technology
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Director of Information Technology
Candidate Brief
Contents
The University ..................................................................................................................................... 3
The Opportunity.................................................................................................................................. 4
Person Specification............................................................................................................................ 5
Living & Working in Glasgow .............................................................................................................. 7
Selection Process ................................................................................................................................ 8
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The University
Glasgow Caledonian University (GCU) delivers academic excellence to 20,000 students with the
support of 1600 staff and a distinct commitment that challenges social injustice at home and
overseas.
The University’s social mission to work For the Common Good is recognised at government and
international levels and is realised through the development of practical and lasting solutions with
the support of partner organisations, the communities themselves and global thought leaders.
Students and staff lend their talent and expertise to these initiatives, which in turn enriches learning
and teaching activity, creates invaluable research and exchange opportunities, and enhances
graduate employability.
The University is a co-founder of the award-winning Grameen Caledonian College of Nursing in
Bangladesh, which helps to raise nursing education standards and offers academic opportunities for
young women. In South Africa, the University is helping to enhance the lives of railway workers
through the co-creation and co-delivery of a degree programme in partnership with Transnet Freight
Rail, the University of Johannesburg and the Institution of Railway Operators.
The University’s award-winning Caledonian Club works with children and their families in Glasgow
and London to inspire academic ambition. Many of them would never consider applying for
university without the strategies devised and delivered by GCU and introduced when the children
are just three years old.
The University’s commitment to creating social benefit is underpinned by high quality learning and
teaching, excellent student satisfaction ratings and by a strong result in the recent Research
Framework Assessment. This noted that the University is now the top modern University in Scotland
for research power and quality. Our international and world leading research (3rd and 4th) places us
in the top 20 in the UK for allied health subjects and also for the built environment area.
A signatory to the United Nations PRME initiative (Principles for Responsible Management
Education), GCU is one the first UK universities to join the UN Global Compact, the world’s largest
voluntary corporate responsible management programme. GCU is also an Ashoka U Changemaker
Campus in recognition of its leadership role in social innovation education giving a prestigious
University network which includes Cornell, Brown and Johns Hopkins Universities. In line with its
commitment to the common good, and to its staff, GCU is also proud to be the first university in
Scotland to achieve accreditation by the Living Wage Foundation.
The Glasgow campus is being transformed by a £30million redevelopment that includes the creation
of new social, learning and teaching facilities to enhance the student and staff experience even
further. GCU’s London campus, the first to be opened in the capital by a Scottish university, attracts
postgraduate students from across the world. It is home to the British School of Fashion, where
students benefit from the support and input of leading academics and honorary professors, some of
whom lead global fashion brands such as Ted Baker, Arcadia, Asos and M&S. The New York campus,
another UK first for GCU, opened in Manhattan’s Soho district in April 2014, extending GCU’s global
reach and providing exciting opportunities for students and staff.
Principal and Vice-Chancellor Professor Pamela Gillies CBE was a member of the Board of Trustees of
the British Council from 2008-2014. She was elected a Fellow of the Faculty of Public Health of the
Royal College of Physicians of London in 2002; as an Academician of the Academy for Social Sciences
in 2005; became an Honorary Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians of Glasgow in 2007; and was
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awarded the CBE for her services to education and public health in 2013.
Chancellor Professor Muhammad Yunus is a Nobel Prize winning social business pioneer. He founded
the Grameen Bank in 1983, which has gone on to lift millions of people out of poverty across the
world. With the support of GCU, Chancellor Yunus established Grameen in the UK in 2013, and it is
now working with families in Glasgow and the west of Scotland.
Putting employability first
The University offers a wide range of programmes, all of which have a strong focus on ensuring that
graduates are ‘job-ready’ and have the opportunity to enter a successful career in their chosen
discipline. This strong careers focus is illustrated by the fact that 95% of GCU graduates go on to
employment or further study within six months of graduating.
Industry links
GCU has been extremely successful in building strong links with industry and many of the companies
we deal with are world leaders in their field. These relationships benefit the University and its
students in many ways. Not only do these companies employ GCU graduates and take on student
placements, they also work closely with the University on research and consultancy projects and
have a strong input into the design and structure of our programmes in a process of co-creation,
which we strongly support.
The Opportunity
We are embarking on a transformational journey to become a technology embedded University
delivering digital solutions to underpin our ambitious 2020 Strategy. We are seeking to appoint a
Director of Information Technology to support the newly appointed Chief Information Officer (CIO)
to lead this exciting and important challenge. This is an open-ended appointment and you will
report through the CIO. As a University Director, you will play an integral part in the continuing
success of the University and will demonstrate a commitment to the University values and strategic
direction.
The Role
The Director of Information Technology will provide strategic transformational leadership in
developing and delivering the University wide information technology, resources and infrastructure.
A summary of key responsibilities include:

Provide strategic and operational leadership for the University’s IT Services, setting out clear
planning and delivery targets.

Influence and lead thinking about the application of IT across all areas of the University
activity.

Contribute to the formulation of University-wide initiatives (e.g. University 2020 plan, Digital
Strategy, Strategy for Learning, Research strategy) to ensure information technology takes a
leading role in underpinning the University’s mission and delivers a high quality service.
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
Line management for a number of teams in accordance with GCU’s People Leadership &
Management Accountabilities.

Oversee the integration, development and maintenance of systems across the University to
ensure that there is a solid and efficient infrastructure that meets user needs.

Play a key role in supporting, facilitating and delivering improvements in business processes
and services to students.

Take responsibility for information technology human, financial and physical resources to
ensure that funds are effectively utilised and operate within budget for staff based across all
University sites.

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.

Develop and implement appropriate monitoring and evaluation processes to ensure the
continuous improvement and enhancement of the services provided by the IT Directorate.

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.

Deputise for the Chief Information Officer when required.
Person Specification
The successful applicant will be educated to degree level, hold a relevant postgraduate qualification
preferably at Masters level along with a management qualification.
Experience, Knowledge and Competencies

Significant management experience of multi-disciplinary IT services provision within a large
and complex organisation.

Broad technical knowledge and understanding of IT and information systems with leading
edge knowledge of at least one relevant technical area.

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.

Strong track record in the provision of quality customer service to a diverse range of users
including leading on programmes of continuous service improvement.

Effective programme and project change management experience to bring about significant
improvements in delivery and/or wide policy change and implementation.
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
A proven track record in strategic planning and management of significant financial and
human resources.

Exceptional track record of delivering effective change.

Evidence of negotiating and successfully managing complex relationships with internal and
external customers and third party supplier relationship management.

Experience of IT compliance management.

Lead by example.

Ability to motivate others.

Results focused.

Collaborative and collegiate approach

Excellent communicator with the ability to communicate to both technical and non-technical
team members.

Ability to demonstrate drive, commitment, stamina and great integrity.

Leadership skills and outstanding interpersonal and negotiation skills with the ability to
influence in the wider community.

Performance driven approach.
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 and an annual performance related payment of
up to 10% of annual salary.
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,
including:
•
Child Care Vouchers
•
Occupational Health – access to an OH Nurse or Physician
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•
Day nursery on site
•
On-site gym (membership payable on an individual basis)
•
Staff Library resource
•
Preferred pricing for Dell and Apple computers
Relocation
Individuals who need to move in order to take up their post may be eligible for relocation expenses.
Pension Scheme
Individuals will be joined to the Strathclyde Pension Scheme. Remuneration will be subject to
personal contributions and employer contributions. Individuals are automatically entered into the
Scheme unless a written declaration to opt out is made.
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
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centres of worship reflects 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.
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
Stirling
Perth
Loch Lomond
Clyde Coast
50 minutes
30 minutes
60 minutes
45 minutes
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.
Selection Process
The following selection approach will be taken:
Stage 1 – Application
It is important that you demonstrate evidence of your experience of the criteria for the role in order
to give you the best chance of being shortlisted. Applicants should complete an application form
and submit a CV along with a covering letter and will be asked to complete an Equal Opportunities
Form that will be used for monitoring purposes.
To apply for this post, please submit your details to recruitment@gcu.ac.uk (quoting reference
PS168) by 12pm pm Monday 6 April 2015.
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Stage 2 – Informal visit
Shortlisted candidates will be invited to meet with the Chief Financial Officer & VP Infrastructure and
the Senior Management Team in advance of their interview and the date for the informal visit will be
confirmed when candidates are invited to attend interview. This will then be followed by an
opportunity for a tour of the Glasgow campus.
Stage 3 - Assessment Stage
A presentation to the selection panel and a competency-based interview has been scheduled for
Monday 27 April 2015. The presentation topic will be confirmed when candidates are invited to
attend interview.
Stage 4 – Employment Offer
Prior to issuing an offer of employment, the University will seek references for the preferred
candidate. The employment offer will be subject to Occupational Health Clearance and any
necessary pre-employment checks.
For more information about this opportunity please contact Ms Bernadette Kelly, Chief Information
Officer or either 0141 273 1010 or at Bernadette.Kelly@gcu.ac.uk.
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