Lead System Administrator

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 Generous annual leave entitlement of 38 days inclusive of bank holidays and concessionary days (pro rata) Local Government Pension Scheme Suite of holistic wellbeing benefits and support including family-friendly policies, generous sick pay provision and comprehensive Employee Assistance Programme Access to a variety of staff discounts at high street retailers Discounted onsite gym Holiday purchase Cycle to Work scheme A flexible working environment A commitment to personal and professional development Key Contact For further information and informal enquiries regarding the role, please contact Nick Hinckley, Associate Director Digital Solutions & Services via n.hinckley@derby.ac.uk. For enquiries regarding your application and for sponsorship eligibility, please contact the recruitment team via recruitment@derby.ac.uk. Important Information This role is eligible for sponsorship by the University, however, your individual circumstances must meet the criteria set out by UKVI ; this includes meeting the English Language requirement and earning a salary that meets the highest of either the going rate for the SOC code or the minimum salary threshold for the Skilled Worker route (£41,700 per annum, as of 22nd July 2025). If the role is eligible, but the offered salary is less that the going rate for the role, you may still be able to apply for a Skilled Worker visa if: Your job is on the Immigration Skills List You’re under 26, studying or a recent graduate, or in professional training You have a PhD level qualification that’s relevant to your job You have a postdoctoral position in science or higher education Please note that the University cannot confirm your eligibility for sponsorship until an offer is made and your individual circumstances have been considered. For more information, visit our website . The University of Derby is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all our staff, students and children. At the University of Derby, safeguarding is everybody's concern. Please find our Safeguarding pages including our Safeguarding Policy.