Head of IT Services

Main purpose of job:

To provide leadership for the provision of a professional IT Service across the James Hutton Group (James Hutton Institute James Hutton Limited and BioSS). The postholder will be required to shape the corporate IT strategy service strategies and policies to drive forward positive change.

A key responsibility will be to ensure that IT function is fully aligned to supporting both world class research and efficient administration working closely with the Director of the Digital Transformation Office to help implement at pace our Digital Strategy. The post holder will be able to use their creativity skills and experience to design and implement a contemporary fitforpurpose service.

A key responsibility for the post holder will be for the cyber security and governance of the IT landscape throughout the organisation ensuring the security and integrity of our systems and its compliance with regulatory and commercial requirements.

Main duties of post holder:

Immediate (first three months):

• Lead a review of the IT Service structure ensuring that it is fit for purpose and fully aligned with Hutton Group needs.
• Review the IT infrastructure and systems alignment against the priorities in Hutton Corporate Plan.
• Review all areas of current IT Service policy process and procedures.

Ongoing:

• To review and maintain effective IT governance structures to oversee the provision of IT services across the Hutton Group.
• Lead direct the work of and manage the ITS team. This will include promoting an open proactive culture and ensuring that the team is accessible reliable and customerfocused.
• To lead on the development and implementation of the Hutton Group IT strategy designed to meet current and future needs and is aligned with the delivery of the 5 year Corporate Plan.
• Develop an IT services budget which is aligned to the strategic and operational needs of the Hutton Group.
• Maintain an up to date knowledge of IT legislation and its impact on the Hutton Group. Advise on the application and implementation of legislation which impacts on the use of IT systems e.g. Data Protection Act Computer Misuse Act and Health & Safety at Work Act.
• Take the lead in defining and implementing the organisations IT disaster recovery and business continuity plans in response to IT disruptions. Develop technical and policy/procedure to mitigate and recover from incidents. Lead on the departmental response to a cyber incident and take an organisational lead as part of the Gold Team to a cyber incident managing the recovery ensuring downtime and data loss are minimised and liaising with the recovery and business continuity situation for the wider organisation.
• Serve as the primary contact and subject matter expert for all cybersecurityrelated events inquiries and information requests including audits Cyber Essentials and coordination with the Scottish Government and insurance providers. Lead on the monitoring and response to threats and security incidents.
• Work closely with the Director of the Digital Transformation Office Executive Team the Science Heads of Department and Professional Services Leadership Team to directly support the IT systems in which the Hutton Group has already invested or is contemplating investment. This would include the HR and payroll systems elements of the finance system any system designed to manage research (e.g. outputs repository) AV and conferencing facilities and any other IT related systems that increase the efficiency of the organisation.
• To ensure effective development and implementation of specific IT programmes and projects delivering on time to budget and to specification.
• To ensure relevant trends and developments in technology are anticipated and evaluated in a timely fashion and their potential explored in relation to Hutton Group goals and aspirations.
• Manage the professional training and development of IT staff throughout their employment as required; this may involve collaboration with external organisations and providers.
• Develop and implement a strategy for succession planning in the IT service area.
• Proactively seek ways to assist the Institute to comply with the Public Disclosure Act and operate its business in as transparent a way as possible.
• Share best practice in the development of IT policies and strategies across similar organisations through attendance at appropriate external fora.
• Act as the key contact on IT matters for queries generated by the Hutton Groups professional advisors including lawyers and auditors.
• Develop and implement comprehensive policies and procedures across the organisation to safeguard IT systems and protect the integrity of organisational data.
• Ensure policy development follows a risk and opportunity based approach aligning with business requirements to support operations and strategic goals while minimising the risk of major security incidents and data breaches. Conduct regular reviews gap analysis and assessments to ensure compliance with industry standards and regulations.
• Establish and enforce standards and governance frameworks to ensure compliance with funder requirements industry best practices and legal and governmental regulations. Drive continuous improvement in security practices.
• Identify opportunities to support and develop income streams from our facilities and growing cohort of tenants and campus partners.
• To be the IT lead within the newly formed Digital Strategy Office.

PERSON SPECIFICATION

Essential

Desirable

Attainments:

Education / qualifications

A recognized degree in Computing or IT.

A professional qualification in IT Management.

A professional qualification in cyber security

Experience:

Minimum of 5 years in an IT management role

Experience of leading and successfully delivering organisational wide IT projects

7 or more years in an IT management role with demonstrable engagement with senior executives and board level colleagues

Relevant and senior experience in strategic and operational IT service delivery.

A track record of career progression within IT management in an environment of similar complexity.

Peer recognition as an IT professional through membership/attendance of professional associations for IT Service Directors/Managers in the public sector.

Skills:

An unequivocally positive can do attitude which is reflected in the support of the vision mission and values of the Hutton Group.

Exemplary people management skills acquired from the management of a team of IT service staff.

Demonstrable ability to motivate and inspire their own team as well as gaining the confidence of staff at all levels through their consistent professionalism openness tactful engagements and confidentiality.

A suite of excellent fundamental skills including organisational planning and communication (through all media).

An analytical proactive approach to problemsolving based on having the best interests of the James Hutton Institute in mind and at all times having the flexibility through contingent strategies to cope with uncertainties.

Project management skills for effective delivery of departmental institute wide initiatives

Effective and demonstrable negotiation and influencing skills.

A demonstrable commitment to personal Continuous Professional Development.

Other skills (pleasespecify)

Willingness to work flexibly to provide seamless service to the organisations users.

Willingness to work out of regular hours to respond to and coordinate responses to any cyber security alerts

Other requirements (please specify)

Ability to travel on a regular basis between Hutton Campuses

Interviews:

Interviews will take place week commencing 12 May 2025.

What we offer:

Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) A confidential service available to support employees and their families with work or personal problems. Providing access to professional counsellors psychologists and worklife consultants available to help and support individuals in tackling all types of problems.

Annual Leave Generous entitlement up to 40.5 days a year with carry over possible and guaranteed timeoff for Christmas.

Pension Employer Contribution of 15 in a Personal Pension Plan and employee contribution flexibility.

Selfmanaged hours and Flexible Working option to manage and spread your working time in line with organisational needs to create a healthy work life balance.

We will not consider the use of 3rd party recruitment agencies for the sourcing of candidates for this position.

The James Hutton Institute is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.

The James Hutton Institute is a: Stonewall Diversity Champion; Athena SWAN Silver Status Holder; Disability Confident Committed Employer and a Living Wage Employer.

The James Hutton Institute is Happy to Talk Flexible Working.