• Job Description

  Req#: R4457

  At AQA, we’re committed to advancing education and we’re committed to our people. As the largest provider of academic qualifications in the UK, we mark over seven million GCSEs and A-levels each year and it’s our people who make this happen.

  Head Of Enterprise IT Services

  12 Month FTC

  Manchester: £80,000 - £90,000

  Milton Keynes/Guildford: £85,000 - £90,000

  Hybrid Working

  Purpose
  
  This role is accountable for ensuring the continuing delivery of core IT services for the AQA group.
  
  The Head of Enterprise IT Services will be responsible for the core IT services underpinning both Enterprise and Assessment technology functions and is key to providing an effective IT enabling service for the organisation to deliver on its objectives.
  
  This role is to provide strong leadership, guidance, service culture and development across the technology teams centred across: Infrastructure, network and desktop services.

  Landscape

  The Enterprise Technology Division sits within the Finance and Corporate Services Division enabling the centralised delivery of core corporate services. In addition, Enterprise Technology operates in close partnership with Assessment Technology and Programme Management collectively delivering the full IT service portfolio of current operations to future change programmes.

  The enterprise IT service function has an approx. headcount of 25 permanent roles, with seasonal increases (approx. 33) when necessary.

  Need to know (to be successful in this role, you will need to know):

  • Proven senior leader with a strong track record of IT expertise and delivery across a number of practices within the IT industry.
  • Proven experience of managing a technical support function, currently utilising on-premise and cloud based datacentres, platforms and services
  • Expert at establishing a strong service delivery culture within organisations
  • Strong and proven expertise in ITIL service delivery methodology, and tailoring to targeted outcomes
  • Strong and proven expertise in managing hybrid support functions - internal and external / 3rd party organisations
  • Responsive to short-term challenges/priorities whilst holding to clear strategy and direction
  • Organises and plans effectively whilst retaining focus on the bigger picture
  • Proven expertise in identifying and improving high level processes and ways of working
  • Skills to build rapport and influence with a diverse range of internal and external stakeholders

  What’s in it for you:

  At AQA we recognise our employees' contribution and in return we are proud to offer an extensive reward and benefit package.

  This includes:

  • 25 days' annual leave rising to 30 days with service, plus all Bank Holidays and additional Christmas office closure
  • Flexible working environment and professional and personal development at your fingertips.
  • 35 hour working week
  • Excellent contributory pension (6% - 11.5% dependent on employee contribution)
  • Life assurance, BUPA PMI and Health Cash Plan
  • Enhanced maternity/paternity scheme

  What next?

  If the role looks of interest and you would like to apply, please do so via our portal. Every application will be provided with a written response!

  We are reviewing applications as they come through and reserve the right to close this role early.

  #PRO22

  Recruitment Agencies

  We have a preferred supplier list (PSL) in place.

  Unsolicited CVs will be treated as a gift. We will not be subject to or liable under your terms and conditions for agency fees.

  Full Job Description

  Summary

  This role is accountable for ensuring the continuing delivery of core IT services for the AQA group.
  
  The Head of Enterprise IT Services will be responsible for the core IT services underpinning both Enterprise and Assessment technology functions and is key to providing an effective IT enabling service for the organisation to deliver on its objectives.
  
  This role is to provide strong leadership, guidance, service culture and development across the technology teams centred across: Infrastructure, network and desktop services.
  
  A key aspect of the role is to support the continuing evolution of the Enterprise Technology Division as it seeks to consolidate and establish a unified IT service delivery experience for the group. You will be a crucial voice in defining, establishing and delivering a consolidated technical landscape and support organisations that has grown via acquisitions.The Enterprise Technology Division sits within the Finance and Corporate Services Division enabling the centralised delivery of core corporate services. In addition, Enterprise Technology operates in close partnership with Assessment Technology and Programme Management collectively delivering the full IT service portfolio of current operations to future change programmes.
  
  Enterprise Technology consists of the following functions:
  Service Delivery
  Enterprise IT Services
  Enterprise Applications
  Enterprise Architecture
  Security, Risk & Data Protection.
  
  Enterprise IT Services consists of:
  Desktop Support (operating across multiple UK locations)
  Infrastructure support (operating across multiple UK locations)
  Combined ITS support function (operating with a single UK location)
  
  The enterprise IT service function has an approx. headcount of 25 permanent roles, with seasonal increases (approx. 33) when necessary.
  
  Due to this role and function accountabilities, regular stakeholder engagement across all levels and all AQA UK locations is required.
  
  Key relationships
  Key internal (AQA Education and AQA Milton Keynes) relationships
  AQA Division Heads / Cx Levels
  Enterprise Technology functions
  AQA Assessment Technology & Programme Management Leadership / Functions
  Key external relationships
  Third party technology providers
  Relevant third-party providers.
  Other members of the AQA Group (e.g. AlphaPlus and Doublestruck)
  
  Lead and ensure the effective delivery of core IT services provided from the Enterprise Technology Division for the AQA group:
  
  Service and technical deliveryWorking with Service Delivery you will lead, develop and implement appropriate SLA’s ensuring that ITIL processes are adhered to and that services are delivered to the required standard
  Identify and establish suitable service and team performance reports to drive informed decision making and seek continuous improvement
  Working with the Senior IT leadership teams to ensure robust processes are in place for changes and new technical deliveries, ensuring full change and release procedures are in place and adhered too
  Seek to identify opportunities where possible for the transfer of support activities to customer facing support teams to improve service delivery and efficiency
  Shape the future configuration of the teams moving to modern IT delivery configurations, increasing focus on End User Computing experience and service delivery.
  
  
  People and CultureProvide motivational and strong leadership in leading the department through a period of change. This will include regular appraisals and staff development encouraging staff to develop expertise across new technology areas
  Ensure high standards of people management of direct reports and teams
  Establish increased visibility and accountability to empower support functions and teams to improve services and outcomes.
  
  
  Function EffectivenessResponsible for the day-to-day operational management of core IT services incorporating infrastructure, networks and desktops services, you will ensure these service areas meet or exceed the required performance levels establishing the appropriate perception of IT enabling AQA organisational execution
  Establish required support processes and necessary documentation to ensure the continual delivery of services, ensuring adherence to these across the department and continual service improvement opportunities
  Develop an effective resource and workload management approach to ensure the delivery of core IT services and required support to strategic programmes and change initiatives inline to agreed priorities
  Establish successful strategic operational partnerships with vendors and partners ensuring the continued delivery of outcomes underpinning core IT services, including technology developments and sourcing opportunities where practical
  Seek to drive operational and cost efficiencies in order to establish value for money for technologies, vendors and partners that underpin IT core services
  Establish necessary cross functional workings with Assessment Technology Division to ensure the continued delivery of underpinning core IT services
  
  
  Proven senior leader with a strong track record of IT expertise and delivery across a number of practices within the IT industry.
  Proven experience of managing a technical support function, currently utilising on-premise and cloud based datacentres, platforms and services
  Expert at establishing a strong service delivery culture within organisations
  Strong and proven expertise in ITIL service delivery methodology, and tailoring to targeted outcomes
  Strong and proven expertise in managing hybrid support functions - internal and external / 3rd party organisations
  Responsive to short-term challenges/priorities whilst holding to clear strategy and direction
  Organises and plans effectively whilst retaining focus on the bigger picture
  Proven expertise in identifying and improving high level processes and ways of working
  Skills to build rapport and influence with a diverse range of internal and external stakeholders
  Excellent track record of leading, empowering, developing and motivating individuals and teams to deliver across multiple sites and ability to set challenging performance standards/ objectives and tackle performance issues

• About the company

  AQA, formerly the Assessment and Qualifications Alliance, is an awarding body in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.

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