Royal College of Art
Chief Information Officer and Director of Digital, Information and Technical Services 
Competitive Salary
London

The Royal College of Art is the UK’s only entirely postgraduate institution of art and design, dedicated to teaching, research and knowledge exchange with industry. In 2021, the RCA was named the world’s leading art and design institute for the seventh consecutive year by the QS World University Rankings by Subject.   Founded in 1837, it is also the world’s oldest art and design institution in continuous operation and its most research intensive. Among its core audiences - students, artists and designers - the RCA brand is legendary. The generations of world-leading designers and artists who have studied or taught at the RCA is a roster of international repute.  

We are excited by the future ahead. We are embarking on an ambitious transformation to re-imagine the end-to-end student experience to deliver more flexible and interdisciplinary opportunities, reach wider audiences and more diverse groups of learners, and to develop more agile routes from research towards curriculum innovation and knowledge exchange with our industries and collaborative partners. 

As our Chief Information Officer and Director of Digital, Information and Technical Services you will direct the College’s digital infrastructure, delivery and transformation, our library and learning resources, and outstanding workshops and technical services –supporting our academic teams and professional services in delivering world leading teaching, research and knowledge exchange.

You will ensure that the College is enabled and supported in its current and planned work with secure and flexible IT infrastructure, digital innovation and delivery, physical and digital creative technologies, robust risk management and business continuity, to enable our strategic goals working to:

• Provide an exceptional experience for students in their physical and digital learning and making, at postgraduate level
• Support best practice, agility and innovation in workshops, library and learning resources
• Support the development of new programmes and unites of study, frequently derived from research
• Ensure the provision of high-quality research facilities to support research centres, faculty and students
• Promote the development of collaboration, knowledge exchange, and innovation with industry, academia and external organisations

As part of our dedicated senior management team, you will: 

• Set and provide the governance and strategic direction of the Digital, Information, and Technical Services directorate with a clear delivery roadmap, operating model and business prioritisation strategy
• Understand the business needs of fellow Directors and Deans, to inform investment, strategy, planning and operations of the Digital, Information, and Technical Services directorate
• Provide assurance on business readiness, resilience, redundancy and the replacement roadmap of digital infrastructure and systems for the College’s professional departments
• Be ‘the voice of the customer’, collaborating with a number of key stakeholders including executive management, professional services, technicians, students and staff
• Lead, motivate and manage a team of 100+ staff fostering a culture of inclusion and high performance
• Support developments and infrastructure towards agile, flexible and remote working, among staff and students
• Chair the Technology Committee and represent Digital, Information and Technical Services internally and externally

You will have a strong voice and be able to challenge, but without ego, and possess the following skills:

• Significant experience in shaping and delivering strategic agendas to meet organisational need, across one or more of digital, IT, technical, technological, and/or information services
• Proven track record of leading complex change
• A proven ability to build effective relationships with diverse groups of stakeholders, capable of flexing your style, to understand and engage with different audiences
• Strong financial management experience, able to develop annual budgets and operating plans, and delivering efficiency and value for money
• Proven track record of developing high performing, agile teams

Whilst not essential, experience of working with Higher Education or wider Public Service is highly desirable. 

To find out more and apply, click on the link below and for a confidential conversation contact Lisa Paul-Wickham E: Lisa.Paul-Wickham@gatenbysanderson.com or M: 07570 654 500.

Closing Date: 9:00am on 5 July 2021

www.rcaappointments.com