Head of Information Technology, The Courtauld Institute of Art

• Hybrid working practices in place.
• Reporting directly into the COO this is the lead role for Information Technology

About Our Client

The Courtauld works to advance how we see and understand the visual arts, as an internationally-renowned centre for the teaching, research of art history and a major public gallery.

Since 1932, The Courtauld has been opening minds and hearts to art through our work as a world-leading university for art history, conservation, and curating, with a very special gallery at its core. We welcome people of all ages and backgrounds to our gallery, our undergraduate and graduate courses, our research programmes, and our public lectures and events - fulfilling our founding mission to enable 'art for all'.

Founded by collectors and philanthropists in the 1930s, the organisation has been at the forefront of the study of art ever since, through advanced research and conservation practice, innovative teaching, the renowned collection and inspiring exhibitions of its gallery, and engaging and accessible activities, education, and events.

Academically, The Courtauld faculty is the largest community of art historians and conservators in the UK, teaching and carrying out research on subjects from creativity in late Antiquity to contemporary digital art forms, with an increasingly global focus. An independent college of the University of London, The Courtauld offers a range of degree programmes from BA to PhD in the History of Art, curating, and the conservation of easel and wall paintings. Its alumni are leaders and innovators in the arts, culture, and business worlds, helping to shape the global agenda for the arts and creative industries.

The Courtauld cares for one of the greatest art collections in the UK, sharing these works with the public at The Courtauld Gallery in central London, as well as through loans and partnerships. The Gallery is most famous for its iconic Impressionist and Post-Impressionist masterpieces, such as Van Gogh's Self-Portrait with Bandaged Ear and Manet's A Bar at the Folies-Bergère. It showcases these alongside an internationally renowned collection of works from the Renaissance through to the present day.

Founded on the belief that everyone should have the opportunity to engage with art, The Courtauld works to increase understanding of the role played by art throughout history, in all societies, and across all geographies, as well as being a champion for the importance of art in the present day. This could be through exhibitions offering a chance to look closely at world-famous works; accessible and expert short courses; events bringing art history research to new audiences; digital engagement, innovative school, family, and community programmes; or taking a formal qualification. The Courtauld's ambition is to transform access to art history education by extending the horizons of what this is, and ensuring as many people as possible can benefit from the tools to better understand the visual world around us.

Our technology is essential to everything we do at The Courtauld.

Reporting directly to the COO, this is a senior role within the organisation. The Head of Information Technology will be focused on improving the technical services across the organisation, building and motivating an efficient and results-focused team, providing support to the Senior Management Team and spearheading a digitalisation programme throughout the Institute to automate and strengthen operations.

Job Description

We are looking for a highly motivated, dynamic technical expert with extensive experience managing a small but complex IT environment.

Purpose of the job:

• To take responsibility for the day-to-day delivery of a robust IT Service to meet the needs of The Courtauld.
• To lead the development and execution of the Information Technology strategy, including clear prioritisation of critical elements, in support of, and underpinning, the organisational strategy and business plan.
• To be the Subject Matter Expert on existing and emerging technologies.

Key Responsibilities:

Service

• Provide an excellent and accessible Information Technology service to staff, students, and visitors in all locations where we have a presence.
• Ensure that core information systems and services are delivered reliably and to expected standards.
• Establish and monitor appropriate processes, mechanisms and Service Level Agreements to ensure service delivery alignment, including liaison with key process owners.
• Lead effective communications with user groups through seeking feedback, working collaboratively, and transmitting information about innovations or service problems in a timely and professional manner.
• Conduct user satisfaction surveys and produce reports based on these, along with regular reports against agreed KPI's with breaches and mitigations.
• Support the team by taking a direct and "hands-on" role in resolving IT issues, which are adversely affecting service users' ability to undertake their roles.
• Maintain a strong awareness of technology that will assist key learning, teaching and research and public engagement strategies.

Security

• Take responsibility and lead on all aspects of the IT security, disaster recovery and business continuity planning and ensure appropriate testing to an agreed schedule and format.
• Ensure robust processes are in place to monitor and manage security threats.
• Carry out regular audits of the system to ensure defences are adequate and remediate where necessary.
• Drive best practice regarding Cyber Security amongst the IT Team and throughout the Institute.
• Ensure IT Security documentation is regularly reviewed and kept up to date.
• Work with established organisations such as NCSC, JISC, etc, to keep up to date with security threat factors.

People

• Lead, manage and develop the Information Technology team and create a positive working environment, providing individuals with clear objectives, ensuring supervision of professional standards and competence, and effectively managing performance.
• Have the skills and experience to be the senior technical subject matter expert for the Institute.
• Strategic Technical Advisor for the Senior Management Team and Governing Board.

Finance and Procurement

• Prepare, manage and monitor the IT budget.
• Identify appropriate suppliers and partners for the delivery of specified applications and services.
• Manage the purchase, installation and implementation of all new hardware, software and network products within agreed budgets, investment appraisal and time scales.
• Maintain transparent systems for the purchase and provision of all hardware, software, devices and internal systems used by The Courtauld.

Transformation

• Drive business transformation and achieve increased operational efficiency, value for money, and proven financial effectiveness by improving information systems, system integration and process automation, and enhancing management information, business intelligence and analytics.
• Undertake and deliver specific investigations, scoping exercises, and strategic projects as identified by the Senior Management Team.
• Ensure that all projects and programmes are managed, are in line with best practice and that projects are delivered on time and to key milestones.
• Advise the Senior Management Team on the definition of key performance indicators and initiate opportunities to take management action and improve performance.

Governance

• Ensure that all operations are carried out within relevant Health and Safety legislation and that staff work within The Courtauld's Health and Safety policy.
• Support Governance in establishing and maintaining a robust Data Management Framework

Other

• Carry out any other duties determined appropriate by the Chief Operating Officer

The Successful Applicant

The role would suit someone who is very hands-on and motivated, who would like to make a significant contribution to the running of the IT department.

Essential:

• Expertise in and successful experience of systems with knowledge of technologies.
• A track record in financial and project management within IT.
• Demonstrable experience in strategic planning.
• Expertise in the analysis and development of IT processes and change management.
• Comprehensive understanding and proven experience of risk management, disaster recovery and business continuity planning.
• Recent experience in securing contracts within a Procurement process.
• Proven experience in leading and managing a team.
• Recent experience of implementing a Cyber Security strategy.
• Previous experience in managing effective relationships at a senior level and with external stakeholders.
• Ability to delegate tasks whilst maintaining high quality.
• High level of analytical skills.
• Highly developed and demonstrable communication and presentation skills.
• Ability to work under pressure and meet strict deadlines.
• Proven experience in change management.

Desirable but not essential:

• Demonstrable knowledge of higher education and policies.

Education, Qualifications and Training

Essential:

• Degree qualification or equivalent.
• Professional qualification in IT / IT&S.

Desirable but not essential:

• Project management qualifications.
• Postgraduate qualification or relevant professional qualifications.

What's on Offer

• The role has a salary range between £82,308 - £89,540, which is eligible for annual salary increments, subject to 6 months of satisfactory performance as of 01 August. The maximum number of annual increments per Grade is 5. Employees are normally appointed to the first increment of the advertised pay grade. Where the applicant meets over and beyond the criteria we would consider 2 increments upon commencement.
• Universities Superannuation Scheme (USS) pension scheme. Employer pension contribution is 14.5% and Employee contribution is 6.1%. Further details can be found in this link What you pay and what you’ll get
• Annual leave entitlement is 30 days plus 8 Bank Holidays and a further 6 days, which are Courtauld closure days.
• Free staff access to our Gallery, reciprocal arrangements with other galleries/museums through which staff have either free or discounted entry, staff discount of 20% in the Courtauld shop and a 25% discount at our on-site staff cafe at Somerset House or the subsidised Coffee Bar managed by Frequency Coffee at Vernon Square.
• Employee Assistance Programme: All staff have access to our Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) provided by Health Assured, the UK's largest independent, award-winning EAP. A support network that offers expert advice and compassionate guidance, covering a wide range of issues which can be accessed 24/7, 365 days a year.
• We also offer Bicycle Loans, including bike accessories.
• Season ticket loans.

The role is full-time with hybrid working practices in place. Hybrid working is available in line with the guidance (currently three days on site and two from home, subject to your schedule of work).

Main office: Somerset House, with some occasional travel to Vernon Square, Kings Cross.

Subject to the Working Time Regulations, full-time employees are required to work such hours as are reasonably necessary to fulfil the duties and responsibilities of the post, with on-duty hours of 35 hours per week.

Contact

Rutesh Shah

Quote job ref

JN-082025-6806905