Director of Technology | Higher Ed Partners UK Shape the digital future of higher education. A t Higher Ed Partners (HE P), we help universities expand access to world-class education through innovation, technology, and meaningful partnership. As student expectations evolve and digital ecosystems grow ever more complex, we’re embarking on the next chapter of our growth — and we need a bold technology leader to drive it. This is a career-defining opportunity t o lead, modernise, and transform the technological backbo ne of a mission-driven organisation scaling online higher education. Why This Role Matters A s Director of Technolo gy, you won’t just maintain IT — you’l l reimagine it. You will set the strategic direction for HEP’s technology landscape, spanning systems, integrations, security, and vendor partnerships. Reporting to the COO, you will combine commercial acumen with technical mastery to create a resilient, scalable, and cost-effective IT ecosyst em that powers the entire student journey. If you’re energised by transformation, optimisation, and leading teams through change, this is the role for you. What You’ll Lead Technology Strategy & Leadership Define and deliver HEP UK’s IT strategy in alignment with growth objectives. Lead internal IT and outsourced providers to ensure top-tier performance. Build secure, scalable systems that underpin the student lifecycle Advise the COO and Executive Team on risks, opportunities, and investment priorities. Innovation & Continuous Improvement Champion automation, smart tooling, and digital optimisation, particularly in Enrolments and Marketing. Drive technology-enabled change to improve efficiency, experience, and outcomes. Commercial & Vendor Management Own the IT budget, oversee CAPEX/OPEX, and optimise spend. Lead vendor negotiations, contracts, and performance management. Streamline systems, reduce costs, and deliver measurable ROI. Systems & Integration Leadership Oversee CRM (Salesforce), LMS, CMS, SIS, cloud tools, and partner portals Ensure seamless, accurate data flow across marketing, admissions, support, finance, and academic teams Lead due diligence and integration for new university partners and system migrations. Security, Risk & Compliance Ensure GDPR compliance, cyber resilience, and operational security Own data governance, access control, continuity planning, and incident response Manage audits, pen testing, and organisation-wide security training. Cross-Functional Collaboration Act as a strategic IT partner for senior leaders across all business functions Set SLAs and deliver outstanding internal IT service. Develop, inspire, and grow internal teams and external providers. What Makes You Successful Data-drive n: Uses analytics to inform strategy and optimise performance Strong communicato r: Translates complexity into clarity and influence Commercially minde d: Balances innovation with cost discipline and vendor accountability Adaptive leade r: Excels in dynamic, scaling environments Strategic & hands-o n: Sets vision while solving problems in real time Collaborative operato r: Builds strong partnerships across teams and geographies Exceptional people leade r: Inspires teams and nurtures growth and transformation Experience That Sets You Apart Required IT leadership experience in digital-first, service-based, or scaling organisations Strong commercial capabilities: budgeting, procurement, vendor negotiation Hands-on experience with cloud/SaaS systems, integrations, and CRM/marketing platforms (e.g., Salesforce) Strong understanding of GDPR and operational security Experience supporting cross-functional teams in complex or partner-led environments Preferred Experience in regulated sectors (education, healthcare, finance) Familiarity with student lifecycle systems or EdTech platform Experience in hybrid or geographically distributed organisations Why Join HEP? Impac t: Shape the technology that enables world-class education Competitive Salar y: £120,000 Generous Leav e: 28 days bank holidays Salary Sacrifice Pension Sche me - Employer 6% contribution Wellbein g: Care and Connect programme & free flu jabs) Professional Developmen t: Significant investment in learning and career growth Perks & Discount s: HigherPerks retail and store discounts Convenienc e: On-site parking Our Values At HEP, guide everything we do Integrit y: We act honestly, fairly, and with respect Innovatio n: We pursue creativity, improvement, and excellence Result s: We take accountability and deliver measurable impact Teamwor k: We collaborate, support, and succeed together Ready to lead the tech that powers the next generation of online higher education? HEP is a Disability Confident and equal opportunity employer. HEP evaluates qualified applicants without regard to race, colour, religion, gender, national origin, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, protected veteran status, disability status or any other legally protected characteristic