Executive Team Design This role forms part of the deliberate strengthening of the University’s Executive Team to deliver Strategy 2035, bringing in additional leadership capacity across student success, growth, digital transformation, operational effectiveness and organisational capability.
Location: University of Bradford Campus
Salary: Competitive Salary
Closing Date: 14/05/2026
Reference: AQ3553
The University of Bradford is entering a significant phase of transformation and is seeking a commercially minded, technology‑driven Chief Digital and Operations Officer to help redesign how the institution operates, delivers and performs.
Reporting to the Vice‑Chancellor, the CDOO is a pivotal executive role responsible for leading enterprise‑wide digital transformation, operational improvement and service redesign. You will drive Strategic Priority 4: A University that Works Better, modernising systems, simplifying processes and embedding a more agile, data‑informed and performance‑focused operating model.
This is a large‑scale transformation brief. You will lead the evolution of core platforms, digital infrastructure and data capability, ensuring that technology investment directly supports institutional performance, user experience and long‑term sustainability. You will also play a key role in introducing automation, AI and emerging technologies to improve efficiency, insight and service delivery.
Beyond technology, the role is fundamentally about how the University operates. You will reshape operating models, improve cross‑institutional alignment and build the delivery discipline required to turn strategy into measurable outcomes. This includes leading major transformation programmes, strengthening planning and prioritisation, and ensuring that services are designed around user needs.
As a member of the Executive Team, you will contribute to the leadership of the whole institution, working across academic and professional boundaries to ensure that digital and operational capabilities underpin growth, student success, and organisational performance.
We welcome candidates from a higher education background and from other complex, customer‑focused sectors such as healthcare, financial services, retail, technology or government. You will bring a strong track record of leading digital and operational transformation at scale, with clear evidence of improving performance, efficiency and user experience. You will be comfortable operating in complex, regulated environments and influencing across a broad stakeholder landscape.
Above all, you will be a delivery‑focused leader who combines strategic thinking with execution, able to cut through complexity, build momentum and ensure that transformation results in tangible, sustained improvement.
This is an opportunity to shape the future operating model of a purpose‑driven institution, applying digital, data and innovation to create a more effective, responsive and future‑ready university.
Confronting Inequality: Celebrating Diversity At the University of Bradford we accept people for who they are regardless of age, disability, gender identity, sex, marital status, ethnicity, faith, sexual orientation or socio‑economic background and whether you’re pregnant or on maternity leave. In line with the University’s commitment to equality charters including Athena Swan, Race Equality Charter, Disability Confident and Stonewall Diversity Champions Programme, we welcome applications from people identifying with these characteristics. The University has a number of staff networks which provide peer support and safe spaces for staff who hold these and other identities.
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