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Chief Digital and Information Officer (CDIO)

Shape our success

Embark on an exciting journey as the Chief Digital and Information Officer at the University of Southampton—a dynamic institution where passion, innovation, and talent unite to shape the future. We are seeking an exceptional individual to be the visionary leader who will drive digital and IT transformation, advancing our university’s technological landscape.

This is an exciting time to join the University of Southampton, a global top 100 university with strengths across education, research, and knowledge exchange. We are embracing ambitious and dynamic growth plans, our strategy integrates research, education, and knowledge exchange and enterprise, advancing our goals with a commitment to placing our people at the core of everything we do. This distinctive approach sets the stage for an exciting journey at Southampton.

About the role

As the Chief Digital and Information Officer, you’ll be responsible for guiding the direction and management of our Digital and IT services. You’ll be a key advisor, emphasising a user-focused approach throughout the University, especially focusing on accessibility.

You’ll report directly to the Vice-President (Operations) and work closely with the University’s leadership team to ensure the successful implementation of our IT initiatives and Digital Strategic Plan.

Your leadership will be crucial in encouraging innovation and delivering excellent service. You’ll lead the development of forward-thinking strategies and implement advanced technologies to improve the University’s digital infrastructure.

About you

You will be an experienced specialist able to navigate the complexities of strategic technology transformation. You will lead the way in improving how we use technology in our University. Your leadership will direct our organisation towards excellence, utilising your experience to enhance customer journeys and strengthen digital infrastructure. With a sharp eye for risk and innovation, you’ll pioneer change initiatives, ensuring resilience and progress.

Your leadership skills will stand out as you guide a team of specialists, fostering collaboration and ensuring our digital and IT services seamlessly support business priorities.

What we can offer you

We support a flexible approach to work and additional benefits that will make your life easier, such as access to private dental and/or healthcare insurance and a generous holiday allowance. We will support your long-term future with access to the University’s Superannuation Scheme (USS), subsidised health and fitness facilities, and various discounts.

We welcome applications from all walks of life and champion a uniquely diverse working environment where every colleague can excel, regardless of their background or life choices. We believe that we can only truly meet our objectives if we are reflective of society, so we are passionate about creating a diverse environment. Therefore, we particularly encourage applications that will continue to strengthen the diversity of our executive management team.

We are a Stonewall Diversity Champion and are immensely proud to have our institutional Athena SWAN silver award renewed, which underpins our pledge to improve equality for women. We are also delighted to have received the Race Equality Charter bronze award from Advance HE, which recognises that we have a solid foundation for eliminating racial inequalities and developing an inclusive culture that values all staff and students. We work with our people to ensure their ideas are always heard, and we invite you to share your background and life experiences with us to help us create a truly unique working environment.

If you want to take your career to new heights and believe you have the skills, experience, and drive to help shape the future of the University of Southampton, then we look forward to receiving your application.

Join us and be the voice that echoes our commitment to making a difference:

Important dates    

The closing date for receipt of applications is midnight (GMT) on Monday, 1 July.

Successful longlisted candidates will be invited to a virtual engagement day on Wednesday, 10 July; the final stage of in-person interviews is scheduled for Monday, 29 July.