Lead System Administrator ) - Derby, DE22 1GB
About the University
We have one simple promise – to make a positive impact. Through our ground-breaking research, teaching excellence and commitment to sustainable living, we are changing lives for the better.
The University of Derby is a modern university with a modern outlook. Everything we do is driven by delivering excellence and opportunities for our students, our staff and our region.
We have some of the best university facilities in the UK and achieve outstanding results for our teaching and research and have been awarded Gold in the prestigious Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF) 2023 – making it one of the top universities in the country recognised for its outstanding student experience and student outcomes.
Financially strong and seriously ambitious we offer our employees an inclusive culture that centres itself around staff wellbeing, where you can be confident you will receive all the help and encouragement you need to build a rewarding career with lots of opportunities to enhance your skills.
About the College/Department
Digital Solutions & Services are responsible for providing the digital platform to enable the best possible service to staff, students and stakeholders across the University and beyond. We take a collaborative approach to developing strategic goals to provide a diverse range of information technology and business services designed to support learning, teaching and research at the University of Derby.
Digital Solutions & Services are responsible for ensuring that the University’s IT capability is fit for purpose, future focused and able to protect, support and enhance the full breadth of services that will be delivered either on campus or digitally online with contributions across the department. We aim to assist students, teaching staff, support departments and collaborative partners to ensure we are making an impact on the University’s current and future digital landscape.
About the Role
As part of an innovative team delivering modern digital solutions, the Lead Systems Administrator provides comprehensive functional and operational support for the University’s enterprise and teaching & learning systems.
This role ensures the performance, reliability, and security of a diverse systems portfolio, which includes applications alongside a growing suite of cloud-based platforms such as Blackboard, Oracle Finance, HR systems, Library, Timetable, Academic Tools, ProSuite (Further Education student record system), Hall systems, SharePoint, and Power Platform.
You will lead the end-to-end release management lifecycle, including planning, coordination, and execution of upgrades and updates across production and non-production environments. You will collaborate with functional Subject Matter Experts to research and implement new features and fixes, ensuring continuous improvement and successful delivery of enhancements.
Working across departments and with wider University stakeholders, you will help drive a culture of continuous service improvement and digital transformation. You will support the procurement, development, and maintenance of corporate and academic applications that underpin teaching, learning, and operational excellence—maximising value and minimising risk
With a strong focus on security, accessibility, and data protection, the role also involves exploring emerging technologies to enhance student and staff services, reduce system dependencies, and optimise the University’s digital ecosystem.
Interview date - 16/01/26
About You
The ideal candidate will have experience of implementing innovative solutions that are customer and future focused and along with significant experience of managing a large and complex solutions landscape.
This will include
* Own the strategic direction and governance of system upgrades, patches, and deployments, ensuring supplier roadmaps are proactively shaped and embedded within long-term Digital Solutions and Services planning
* Demonstrated proficiency in the administration, implementation and maintenance of global integrated enterprise and academic solutions
* Drive cross-functional alignment and change leadership, orchestrating stakeholder engagement to deliver seamless transitions with minimal business disruption
* Deep understanding of application lifecycle management and managing multiple enterprise applications
* Ability to deliver within tight deadlines in a demanding environment
* Attention to detail and determination for excellence
* Strives for continuous improvement and encourages innovation
Benefits
1. Generous annual leave entitlement of 38 days inclusive of