Job Description
Full Time, Permanent
The closing date for applications is 23.59 on 29th August 2025
Drive the University’s business transformation through the delivery of an ambitious digital strategy and the development of its digital products
The University of Reading is seeking an experienced and forward-thinking leader to join our Digital Directorate as Director of Digital Products and Portfolio. This is a strategic leadership role at the heart of our digital transformation, responsible for shaping and delivering the University’s digital product lifecycle and portfolio of strategic initiatives.
You will lead the transition to a product-centric operating model, ensuring our digital services evolve to meet the changing needs of students, staff, and the wider academic community. This is an exciting opportunity to drive innovation, influence institutional strategy, and make a lasting impact on the University’s digital future.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead the strategic development and lifecycle management of digital products and services.
- Lead and develop the design and delivery of the University’s next tranche of digital strategy portfolio initiatives.
- Champion the transition to a product-centric model, establishing cross-functional fusion teams.
- Collaborate with senior stakeholders across the University to align digital initiatives with institutional goals.
- Ensure effective governance, risk management, and compliance across all digital products.
- Drive continuous improvement, innovation, and benefits realisation across the digital portfolio.
- Manage a team of ~60 FTE across digital products and portfolio, including product leads, project and programme managers, business analysts and PMO management.
- Oversee digital portfolio and product budgets and vendor relationships, ensuring value and performance.
- Deputise for the CDIO and contribute to University-wide leadership and governance.
About You
We are looking for a strategic, collaborative, and inclusive leader who brings:
Essential:
- Significant experience in a senior digital or IT leadership role within a large, complex organisation.
- Proven expertise and track record of delivery in digital product and portfolio management and best practices.
- Strong communication and stakeholder engagement skills.
- Experience leading cross-functional teams and managing large-scale transformation programmes.
- A deep understanding of enterprise architecture, digital governance, and regulatory compliance.
Desirable:
- Professional qualifications such as Agile, DevOps, Prince2, ITIL, or MSP.
- Experience in the higher education or public sector.
- Familiarity with public procurement and HR processes.
What We Offer
- A competitive salary
- A collaborative and inclusive working environment.
- Opportunities for professional development and leadership growth.
- 33 days annual leave (including University closure days)
- Competitive benefits package
- The chance to make a lasting impact on the University’s digital future.
- We encourage work in a flexible, hybrid model to find the balance of focused home-working with the collaboration and relationship-building an on-campus experience can bring (The role requires minimum 2 days a week on site on campus)
Please see the attached JDPS for further details.
Interview date : 11th September 2025
For more information, please contact:
Contact Name: Stuart Brown
Contact Job Title: Chief Digital and Information Officer
Contact Email address: stuart.brown@reading.ac.uk
The University is committed to having a diverse and inclusive workforce, supports the gender equality Athena SWAN Charter and the Race Equality Charter, and champions LGBT+ equality. We are a Disability Confident Employer (Level 2). Applications for job-share, part-time and flexible working arrangements are welcomed and will be considered in line with business needs.
