IT Business Partner (24001642)

· Serving as a strategic liaison between CIS and University departments.

· Facilitating the development and implementation of the Digital Strategy.

· Advocating for departmental needs within CIS to ensure service excellence.

· Leading change management initiatives to optimise technology adoption.

· Identifying opportunities for improved use of digital services.

· Keeping end users informed of CIS developments and service performance.

· Providing advice on technical matters (supported by subject experts) to ensure proposed developments offer the best solutions.

· Advocating for the departments you represent.

· Establishing user requirements.

Expectations for the role:

· Build and maintain excellent working relationships with team members and stakeholders, including PVCs, Heads of Colleges, Heads of Departments, and Services.

· Advocate for innovative solutions, best practices, and knowledge exchange.

· Stay informed about technology, processes, and legislation to identify opportunities supporting the University's strategy., We prefer to receive applications online. We will update you about your application at various points throughout the selection process, via automated emails from our e-recruitment system. Please check your spam/junk folder periodically to make sure you have not missed any of our updates., · Prioritise and consolidate large, complex sets of requirements and work with technical experts (internal and external) to develop realistic plans in partnership with service users.

· Provide highly valued strategic consulting level support and guidance through key IT initiatives, communicating decisions, priorities and relevant project information to appropriate levels of staff and align priorities across faculties, departments and colleges.

· Contribute to operational leadership teams and decision making to shape the nature and level of support services.

· Work with members of the CIS Senior Leadership Team to facilitate the optimum use of IT resources and develop appropriate IT projects to meet the needs of service users.

· Work with team members and stakeholders (including PVCs, Heads of Colleges, Heads of Departments and Services) to build and maintain excellent working relationships.

· Have an end-user focus, putting the needs of the end user first, whilst balancing competing demands.

· Communicate complex technical matters to non-experts in a way that empowers them to understand, challenge and join in the development of departmental, college and faculty plans from a position of knowledge and understanding.

· Look for ways to continually improve services and take a lead role in the development and implementation of assigned policies, processes and standards.

· Meet the professional development needs of your stakeholders, providing training when required.

· Ensure data (commercially sensitive and/or personal) is appropriately stored and managed.

· Show a commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion and the University's values.

· Develop and promote an in-depth understanding of university policy and external digital developments.

Planning and Organisation

· Contribute to operational leadership teams to influence the type and level of services that are provided by CIS.

· Contribute to the development of operational and strategic level plans relevant to CIS.

· Scope, plan and implement large scale/University wide initiatives, undertaking matrix management responsibilities where required.

· Oversee people change management to support the successful adoption of technology.

· Maintain an oversight of the service and performance metrics to provide reports for departments and business units.

Communication/Liaison

· Use your professional knowledge to identify and recommend priorities for long-term business plans.

· Provide professional guidance and advice to key stakeholders across the University.[DEL: :DEL]

· Design creative and innovative communications to promote and increase the adoption of digital services.

· Influence University policy and standards by leading business meetings, working groups and sub-committees.

· Design and deliver communications and engagement strategies to increase awareness of digital services and support end user development and information needs.

· Create strong working relationships, including internal and external networks, using your networks to increase your knowledge and skills, swap information with peers and positively influence the University's reputation.

· Represent CIS and University at promotional events.

· Identify opportunities to develop and increase participation in special interest groups.

· Any other reasonable duties.

Please note that in submitting your application Durham University will be processing your data. We would ask you to consider the relevant University Privacy Statement Privacy Notices - Durham University which provides information on the collation, storing and use of data.

CIS is a friendly, but demanding department, where much is expected and can be achieved by competent, self-motivated individuals who are demonstrable in their team work ability. The department works in a hybrid capacity depending on the job role and individual personal requirements.

The IT Business Partner, also known as a Business Relationship Manager (BRM), plays a crucial role, acting as a bridge between technology and various departments to ensure IT services meet business needs and are fully utilised. Working within the IT Business Partnering and Adoption Team, you will manage internal stakeholder relationships and lead change activities to ensure the successful adoption of technology across the University.

To be successful you should have experience as an IT Business Partner, or Business Relationship Manager, enabling you to be the strategic interface between internal CIS and University departments. Excellent communication and interpersonal skills are essential, along with the ability to build strong stakeholder relationships to enable CIS to understand departmental priorities, address areas for improvement, prioritise projects, and drive innovation.

The role is fast-paced and varied, with no two days the same. It requires working with stakeholders at all levels to advise, influence, and recommend appropriate actions. Resilience, initiative, energy, drive, and strong interpersonal skills are vital., 1. Educated to degree level (or equivalent experience).

2. Experience of capturing user requirements and working with technical experts (internal and external) to develop plans.

3. Ability to identify, evaluate, and plan effective solutions to address unmet end user needs and solve problems.

4. Experienced in change management with the ability to address the people and organisational aspects of IT changes, ensuring effective user adoption of technology by leading change management initiatives.

5. Provide strategic consulting level support and guidance through key IT initiatives, communicating decisions, priorities and relevant project information to appropriate levels of staff and align priorities across faculties, departments and colleges.

6. Experience of participating in internal or external networks to share and discuss good practice, develop strong and productive working relationships and positively influence the University's reputation.

7. Experience of implementing policies and procedures and supporting service improvements.

Skills/Abilities/Knowledge

8. Excellent spoken and written communication skills with the ability to influence decision makers and communicate difficult messages whilst developing/maintaining effective working relationships, both internally and externally.

9. Digital competence across a range digital devices and apps such as Microsoft 365.

10. Committed to continuing professional development to maintain professional recognition.

Desirable Criteria

11. Experience of project delivery methodologies such as Prince2 and Agile.

12. Ability to perform business analysis and prepare recommendations as needed.

13. Previous experience of working in the Higher Education sector.

14. Experience of working within a relationship management role.

15. Experience of managing or participating in IT projects., To progress to the assessment stage, candidates must evidence each of the essential criteria required for the role in the person specification above. It will be at the discretion of the recruiting panel as to whether they will also consider any desirable criteria, but we would urge candidates to provide evidence for all criteria. Please don't forget to check if there is any weighted criteria (see above).

At Durham University we are proud of our people. A globally outstanding centre of educational excellence, a collegiate community of extraordinary people, a unique and historic setting - Durham is a university like no other. We believe that inspiring our people to do outstanding things at Durham enables Durham people to do outstanding things professionally and personally.
Across the University we have a huge variety of roles and career opportunities, which together make us a large and successful community, which is a key hub of activity within our region and nationally.

We would be thrilled if you would consider joining our thriving University. Further information about the University can be found here.

Find out more about the benefits of working at the University and what it is like to live and work in the Durham area on our Why Join Us? - Durham University

The Role and the Department

The Computing and Information Services (CIS) has an annual operational budget in excess of £12m, multi-million pound programmes of change within year, and approximately 185 staff. The Senior Leadership Team report directly to the Chief Information Officer (CIO) with the following portfolios: Strategy and Change; Technical Services; Information Services (IS), and Cyber Security. CIS work with departments across the university to provide academic, teaching and administrative services that underpin the day-to-day activities of the whole organisation. Details of the Digital Strategy and ongoing work can be found at Digital Strategy - Durham University.

A competitive salary is only one part of the many fantastic benefits you will receive if you join the University: you will also receive access to the following fantastic benefits:

• 30 Days annual leave per year in addition to 8 public holidays and 4 customary days per year - a total of 42 days per year.


• The University closes between Christmas and New Year.


• We offer a generous pension scheme, As a new member of staff you will be automatically enrolled into this University Superannuation Scheme (USS).


• No matter how you travel to work, we have you covered. We have parking across campus, a cycle to work scheme which helps you to buy a bike and discount with local bus and train companies.


• There is a genuine commitment to developing our colleagues professionally and personally. There is a comprehensive range of development courses, apprenticeships and access to qualifications and routes to develop your career in the University. All staff have dedicated annual time to concentrate on their personal development opportunities.


• Lots of support for health and wellbeing including discounted membership for our state of the art sport and gym facilities and access to a 24-7 Employee Assistance Programme.


• On site nursery is available plus access to holiday camps for children aged 5-16.


• Family friendly policies, including maternity and adoption leave, which are among the most generous in the higher education sector (and likely above and beyond many employers).


• The opportunity to take part in staff volunteering activities to make a difference in the local community


• Discounts are available via our benefits portal including; money off at supermarkets, high street retailers, IT products such as Apple, the cinema and days out at various attractions.


• A salary sacrifice scheme is also available to help you take advantage of tax savings on benefits.


• If you are moving to Durham, you may be eligible for help with removal costs and we have a dedicated team who can help you with the practicalities such as house hunting and schools. If you need a visa, we cover most visa costs and offer an interest free loan scheme to pay for dependant visas.


Discover more about our total rewards and benefits package here.

Durham University is committed to equality, diversity and inclusion

Our collective aim is to create an open and inclusive environment where everyone can reach their full potential and we believe our staff should reflect the diversity of the global community in which we work. As a University equality, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) are a key part of the University's Strategy and a central part of everything we do. We also live by our values and our Staff Code of Conduct. At Durham we actively work towards providing an environment where our staff and students can study, work and live in a community which is supportive and inclusive. It's important to us that all of our colleagues are aligned to both our values and commitment to EDI.

We welcome and encourage applications from members of groups who are under-represented in our work force including people with disabilities, women and black, Asian and minority ethnic communities. If you have taken time out of your career, and you feel it relevant, let us know about it in your application. If you are a candidate with a disability, we are committed to ensuring fair treatment throughout the recruitment process. We will make adjustments to support the interview process wherever it is reasonable to do so and, where successful, reasonable adjustments will be made to support people within their role.