Job Specifications
Company: Victoria College of Arts and Design
Job Title: IT Manager
Location: On-site (across Multi-campus) – London Borough, Harbour Exchange and Manchester
Employment Type: Full Time
Working Schedule: Monday–Friday, 9:00 AM–5:00 PM (with occasional evening and weekend)
Department: IT
Salary Range: £35,000 – £40,000 per annum
Reports to: Deputy Director of Finance & Professional Services
Line Management Responsibility: IT Coordinators across three campuses
About Us
Victoria College of Arts and Design (VCAD) provides higher education teaching and learning in the arts, design, creative industries, and business fields. Our mission is to support students from enrolment through to graduation by offering high-quality teaching, strong student support services, and a professional learning environment that prepares graduates for sustainable careers.
Technology plays a critical role in delivering this experience. As VCAD continues to grow across multiple campuses, we are seeking an experienced and proactive IT Manager to lead our IT function, ensure resilient and secure systems, and provide strategic and operational leadership to the IT team.
Job Overview
The IT Manager is a senior operational and leadership role responsible for the strategic oversight, day-to-day management, and continuous improvement of IT services across all VCAD campuses. The postholder will lead and manage IT Coordinators across three campuses, ensuring consistent service delivery, robust infrastructure, and a high-quality digital experience for students and staff.
The role will act as the primary liaison between VCAD and the parent company, PEN Group, working closely with the central PEN IT function on systems, infrastructure, cybersecurity, licensing, data protection, and major IT initiatives. The IT Manager will also play a key role in planning, budgeting, risk management, and ensuring compliance with regulatory, data protection, and health and safety requirements.
This role requires a blend of hands-on technical competence, people management, strategic thinking, and strong stakeholder engagement.
Key Responsibilities
Leadership & Management:
Lead, manage, and develop IT Coordinators across all VCAD campuses, providing clear direction, coaching, performance management, and professional development.
Set priorities, allocate workloads, and ensure consistent IT service standards across campuses.
Foster a customer-focused IT culture that delivers timely, friendly, and effective support to students and staff.
Act as escalation point for complex or high-impact IT incidents.
Strategy, Planning & Governance:
Develop and implement IT operational plans aligned with VCAD and PEN Group strategy.
Contribute to IT budgeting, forecasting, and cost control, including hardware, software, licensing, and support contracts.
Maintain an accurate IT asset register and oversee lifecycle management of equipment.
Identify risks relating to IT infrastructure, cybersecurity, data protection, and service continuity, and implement mitigation plans.
Systems, Infrastructure & Security:
Oversee the effective operation of core systems including Microsoft 365, Moodle, Unit-E, Adobe, AV and classroom technologies, and library systems.
Ensure reliable network connectivity, Wi-Fi coverage, and AV functionality across all campuses.
Work with PEN Group IT on cybersecurity controls, backups, disaster recovery, access management, and system upgrades.
Ensure compliance with GDPR, data security policies, and institutional IT standards.
Stakeholder & Vendor Management:
Act as the main IT liaison with PEN Group, coordinating projects, escalations, audits, and shared services.
Manage relationships with external suppliers, contractors, and service providers, ensuring value for money and service quality.
Work closely with Academic Teams, Registry, Facilities, Quality, and Senior Management to support teaching, learning, and operational needs.
Service Delivery & User Support:
Oversee IT support services delivered via ticketing systems, email, and in-person support, ensuring SLAs and response standards are met.
Ensure smooth IT support for key academic activities including enrolment, induction, teaching delivery, assessments, and examinations.
Lead communication to staff and students on system changes, outages, and planned maintenance.
Compliance, Health & Safety & Events:
Ensure IT operations comply with health and safety requirements, including safe use of equipment and contractor compliance.
Support audits, inspections, and regulatory requests relating to IT systems and data.
Ensure appropriate IT support is in place for open days, exams, events, and peak academic periods.
Qualifications & Skills Requirement
Essential:
Significant experience in an IT management or senior IT support role.
Proven experience managing staff and delivering IT services across multiple sites.
Strong working knowledge of Microsoft 365, learning platforms (e.g. Moodle), AV/classroom