Deputy Head of IT Systems

Job Title

Deputy Head of IT Systems

Reports To

Head of IT Systems

Business Function / Sub-function

IT

Location

Any GBS campus (Greenford, West London preferred)

Role

The Deputy Head of IT Systems will support the Head of IT Systems in the effective management and delivery of IT systems and services, ensuring high performance, security, and alignment with organisational goals. This role involves operational oversight, providing technical expertise, and fostering collaboration across departments to meet both current and future business needs.

Responsibilities Operational Support & Leadership

• Act as second in command for IT systems management, providing leadership and operational support in the absence of the Head of IT Systems.
• Coordinate day to day operations of IT systems and support teams to ensure smooth delivery of services and exceptional user experience.
• Collaborate with system administrators to monitor system health and resolve issues proactively.
• Support the Head of IT Systems in resource allocation and workload management for IT teams.

Systems Monitoring & Maintenance

• Oversee monitoring tools on behalf of the Head of IT Systems to ensure all systems operate efficiently, including performance tracking and incident escalation.
• Ensure timely application of patches and updates in collaboration with system administrators.
• Provide input on the technical aspects of system upgrades and enhancements.

Policy Compliance & Standards

• Assist Head of IT Systems in the implementation and enforcement of IT policies and procedures that align with organisational and regulatory requirements.
• Conduct periodic compliance checks to ensure adherence to IT standards and data security protocols.

Vendor Coordination

• Support vendor relationship management by ensuring service levels are met and escalating issues to the Head of IT Systems when necessary.
• Assist in evaluating vendor proposals and performance reports.

Project Support

• Collaborate with the Head of IT Systems to implement IT projects, ensuring milestones and deliverables are met.
• Work closely with the PMO team to maintain project documentation and support stakeholder engagement throughout the project lifecycle.

Data & Reporting

• Generate system performance reports, highlighting key metrics, trends, and areas for improvement.
• Contribute to the development of dashboards for better visualization of IT system performance and usage.

Innovation & Continuous Improvement

• Research emerging technologies and trends to identify opportunities for system optimisation and modernization.
• Propose initiatives to improve efficiency and effectiveness of IT operations.

Skills and Experience

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, or related field.
• Demonstrable experience in IT management or a similar senior management role.
• Excellent knowledge of network management, server administration, cloud technologies, and IT security practices.
• Excellent understanding of IT infrastructure, including cloud platforms such as Azure.
• Excellent problem solving, analytical and troubleshooting skills with the ability to manage complex issues effectively.
• Proven leadership, team management and experience and skills.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills when interacting with stakeholders at all levels.
• Strong communication skills to liaise between technical teams and non technical stakeholders.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast paced environment.

Desirable Skills and Experience

• Masters degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, or related field.
• Certifications such as ITIL, PMP or CISSP.

Key Result Areas

• Develop and maintain IT systems roadmap and application architecture, aligning with group strategy and goals.
• Oversee IT Systems and Infrastructure Management to ensure performance, reliability and scalability.
• Achieve 100% compliance with legal regulations, industry standards and internal policies.
• Minimise inefficiencies, implement improvements and optimise IT processes for better outcomes.
• Manage planning and coordination of system updates, patches and upgrades to ensure efficiency and reliability.

Commitment

• Adhere to GBS values and regulations, including equal opportunities policy.
• Commit to GBS's Social, Economic and Environmental responsibilities and minimise environmental impact in the performance of the role and actively contribute to the delivery of GBS's Environmental Policy.
• Meet Health and Safety responsibilities to ensure a safe and secure working environment for staff, students and other visitors to the campus.

What We Offer

• 25 days annual leave, plus 8 public holidays.
• 1 day extra leave per year of service, up to a maximum of 5 days.
• Workplace pension scheme.
• Tuition reimbursement for career development courses.
• Flexible Benefits: Cycle to Work, Workplace Nursery, Tech scheme and much more.
• discounts platform, wellbeing centre and much more.
• Reward and recognition programme.
• £500 award employee referral scheme.
• Discretionary annual performance bonus.

Employee Testimonial

What really stands out to me about GBS is its consistent focus on creating positive outcomes for students. Every team, even those without direct student contact, is deeply committed to this mission. Everyone understands that what they do plays a role in helping students succeed. It's such a collaborative and inspiring place to work - it's clear everyone genuinely cares about making a difference. (Steffi Korsah - Non-Academic Staff)