About the role
Transformation and Portfolio Director (internal), IDS
Reference: REQ10288
Job details
Job referenceREQ10288 Application closing date18/10/2026 LocationColchester SalaryOn the Grade 11 scale, commensurate with experience and achievements Employment typePermanent, Full-time Job category/typeProfessional Attachments Application form - REQ10288.docx REQ10288_Jobpack.pdfTransformation and Portfolio Director (internal), IDS
Job description**This vacancy is only available to existing University of Essex staff**
Infrastructure and Digital Services (IDS)
Infrastructure and Digital Services (IDS) is seeking a visionary Transformation and Portfolio Director to join our senior leadership team.
IDS provides the digital infrastructure, physical environment, and information resources that underpin teaching, research, learning, and the day-to-day operation of the University. This is an exciting opportunity to play a central role in shaping how the University delivers strategic change and innovation.
About the Role
As one of six senior leaders within IDS, the Transformation and Portfolio Director will lead the University's transformation portfolio, ensuring investment is focused on a small number of high-impact priorities that directly support the University's strategic objectives and deliver measurable benefits.
This pivotal role will provide leadership for portfolio governance, prioritisation, and delivery, translating strategic ambition into practical and achievable change. Working closely with senior leaders and service areas across the University, you will help shape complex transformation initiatives, challenge existing assumptions, and ensure change programmes are sustainable, effective, and centred on the needs of students, academics, and professional services colleagues.
You will champion a culture of continuous improvement and innovation, identifying opportunities to simplify processes, improve the use of data, automation, artificial intelligence, and digital technologies, and fundamentally rethink how services are designed and delivered.
A key aspect of the role is building organisational capability for successful change. You will establish and embed a consistent approach to programme and change delivery while enabling colleagues across the University to take ownership of transformation and improvement, reducing reliance on central project teams and creating lasting capability across the institution.
What We're Looking For
We are seeking a strategic leader with:
• A proven track record of leading large-scale transformation portfolios and programmes.
• Strong experience of portfolio governance, prioritisation, and benefits realisation.
• The ability to influence and collaborate effectively with senior stakeholders across a complex organisation.
• Expertise in organisational change, programme delivery, and continuous improvement methodologies.
• Experience of leveraging data, automation, AI, and technology to improve services and outcomes.
• A passion for building organisational capability and empowering others to lead change successfully.
Why Join Us?
This is a unique opportunity to shape the future of a forward-looking University, helping to deliver transformational change that enhances the experience of students and staff while supporting the institution's long-term ambitions.
If you are a strategic and collaborative leader with the vision, influence, and expertise to drive meaningful change at scale, we would love to hear from you.
How to Apply
Please complete the attached application form and send to [email protected] before the closing date of 18 October 2026 (23:59, UK time).
At the University of Essex, internationalism and diversity is central to who we are and what we do. We are committed to being a cosmopolitan, internationally oriented university that is welcoming to staff and students from all countries, faiths and backgrounds, where you can find the world in one place.
To support this commitment we have our Global Forum, a staff-led network that promotes and celebrates the rich cultural diversity among Essex staff, and our Colchester campus based Faith Centre, which hosts regular services, meetings and events organised by our chaplains and faith representatives. For more information see: https://www.essex.ac.uk/life/student-facilities/religion-and-faith.
Please see the attached job pack, which contains a full job description and person specification, which outlines the full duties, skills, qualifications and experience needed for this role plus more information relating to the post. We recommend you read this information carefully before making an application. Applications should be made via email, but if you need information in a different format, please email the Resourcing Team ([email protected]).
*More information: Working at the University
Send to a friendTransformation and Portfolio Director (internal), IDS
Job description**This vacancy is only available to existing University of Essex staff**
Infrastructure and Digital Services (IDS)
Infrastructure and Digital Services (IDS) is seeking a visionary Transformation and Portfolio Director to join our senior leadership team.
IDS provides the digital infrastructure, physical environment, and information resources that underpin teaching, research, learning, and the day-to-day operation of the University. This is an exciting opportunity to play a central role in shaping how the University delivers strategic change and innovation.
About the Role
As one of six senior leaders within IDS, the Transformation and Portfolio Director will lead the University's transformation portfolio, ensuring investment is focused on a small number of high-impact priorities that directly support the University's strategic objectives and deliver measurable benefits.
This pivotal role will provide leadership for portfolio governance, prioritisation, and delivery, translating strategic ambition into practical and achievable change. Working closely with senior leaders and service areas across the University, you will help shape complex transformation initiatives, challenge existing assumptions, and ensure change programmes are sustainable, effective, and centred on the needs of students, academics, and professional services colleagues.
You will champion a culture of continuous improvement and innovation, identifying opportunities to simplify processes, improve the use of data, automation, artificial intelligence, and digital technologies, and fundamentally rethink how services are designed and delivered.
A key aspect of the role is building organisational capability for successful change. You will establish and embed a consistent approach to programme and change delivery while enabling colleagues across the University to take ownership of transformation and improvement, reducing reliance on central project teams and creating lasting capability across the institution.
What We're Looking For
We are seeking a strategic leader with:
• A proven track record of leading large-scale transformation portfolios and programmes.
• Strong experience of portfolio governance, prioritisation, and benefits realisation.
• The ability to influence and collaborate effectively with senior stakeholders across a complex organisation.
• Expertise in organisational change, programme delivery, and continuous improvement methodologies.
• Experience of leveraging data, automation, AI, and technology to improve services and outcomes.
• A passion for building organisational capability and empowering others to lead change successfully.
Why Join Us?
This is a unique opportunity to shape the future of a forward-looking University, helping to deliver transformational change that enhances the experience of students and staff while supporting the institution's long-term ambitions.
If you are a strategic and collaborative leader with the vision, influence, and expertise to drive meaningful change at scale, we would love to hear from you.
How to Apply
Please complete the attached application form and send to [email protected] before the closing date of 18 October 2026 (23:59, UK time).
At the University of Essex, internationalism and diversity is central to who we are and what we do. We are committed to being a cosmopolitan, internationally oriented university that is welcoming to staff and students from all countries, faiths and backgrounds, where you can find the world in one place.
To support this commitment we have our Global Forum, a staff-led network that promotes and celebrates the rich cultural diversity among Essex staff, and our Colchester campus based Faith Centre, which hosts regular services, meetings and events organised by our chaplains and faith representatives. For more information see: https://www.essex.ac.uk/life/student-facilities/religion-and-faith.
Please see the attached job pack, which contains a full job description and person specification, which outlines the full duties, skills, qualifications and experience needed for this role plus more information relating to the post. We recommend you read this information carefully before making an application. Applications should be made via email, but if you need information in a different format, please email the Resourcing Team ([email protected]).
*More information: Working at the University
Send to a friendHow to apply
Read the full posting, then apply through the employer's own site. Applications are handled by the institution, not by AcademicGates.