Head of IT and Digital Transformation


Company:	West College Scotland
Salary:	£70,851.91
Hours:	Full-time
Location:	Paisley, PA3 4DR
Working pattern:	On-site
Job type:	Permanent
Posting date:	25 Aug 2026
Closing date:	8 Sept 2026

Apply for this job

Summary

(Job Ref: WCSR0001329)

£70,851.91 per annum

Permanent, full-time

Location: Greenock, Paisley & Clydebank (multi-campus role)

West College Scotland is seeking an experienced and visionary Head of IT and Digital Transformation to lead our IT infrastructure, digital services, and transformation agenda across one of Scotland's largest regional colleges.

This is a pivotal leadership role within our IT, Data and Digital Directorate. Reporting to the Director of IT, Data and Digital, you will provide strategic leadership for the College's IT infrastructure, cyber security, digital systems, and technology-enabled change programmes, ensuring our services continue to meet the evolving needs of students, staff and stakeholders.

About the Role

As Head of IT and Digital Transformation, you will:

• Lead and develop high-performing teams responsible for IT operations, infrastructure, cyber security, business intelligence and digital transformation.

• Drive the development and delivery of the College's IT and digital strategies, ensuring alignment with organisational priorities and national objectives.

• Oversee major infrastructure, systems and digital transformation projects across on-premises, hybrid and cloud environments.

• Provide expert advice and guidance to the Senior Leadership Team on technology, digital innovation and service development.

• Lead cyber security, operational resilience and risk management activities to protect critical systems and ensure data integrity.

• Build strong partnerships with internal and external stakeholders, suppliers and sector networks to support innovation and continuous improvement.

• Manage significant budgets, procurement activities and supplier relationships to maximise value and service performance.

About You

We are looking for a strategic and inspirational leader with:

• Degree-level qualification (SCQF Level 9 or above) in a relevant discipline and a commitment to continuing professional development.

• Significant senior leadership experience managing diverse technical teams and complex IT environments.

• Proven success delivering large-scale IT, infrastructure or digital transformation programmes.

• Strong experience in organisational change, continuous improvement and operational planning.

• Excellent stakeholder management, communication and influencing skills.

• Expertise across IT infrastructure, cyber security, digital technologies, data reporting and service delivery.

• Commercial and financial acumen, including budget management, procurement and contract management.

Most importantly, you will share our commitment to innovation, collaboration and improving outcomes for our students and communities through technology-enabled excellence.

Why Join West College Scotland?

This is an exciting opportunity to influence the future direction of technology and digital transformation within a forward-thinking organisation. You will join a committed leadership team and play a key role in delivering innovative services that support learning, teaching and business excellence across the College.

If you are an ambitious and collaborative leader ready to make a significant impact, we would love to hear from you.

We are an inclusive place to work.

At West College Scotland we are ambitious about Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion. If you've got the right skills and qualifications for the job, we want to hear from you. We encourage applications from all candidates regardless of age, disability - visible and non-visible including neurodiversity, gender identity, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race religion or belief, sex, or sexual orientation. Please visit the website for more info.

Benefits of working with us

This is an excellent opportunity to join one of Scotland’s sector leading colleges. The College offers an outstanding benefits package including:

• Generous holiday entitlement - 49 days holiday (including bank & public holidays).

• Membership of the Local Government Pension Scheme.

• Enhanced maternity, paternity and adoption leave pay (subject to eligibility).

• Opportunities for hybrid / home working, where appropriate.

• Flexible working opportunities.

• Access to a dedicated wellbeing team and a 24/7 confidential employee assistance

programme.

• Support to enhance your skills through a variety of methods including online learning, coaching and self-directed study.

Full details of the skills and qualifications required can be found on the employee specification. To view our Privacy Notice, please visit the website.

Any offer of employment will be subject to receiving a satisfactory Scheme Record through the Disclosure Scotland Protection of Vulnerable Groups Scheme (PVG). All candidates must be able to prove their Right to Work in the UK. Please note West College Scotland does not provide Visa sponsorship.

To Apply:

To view our vacancies and to apply for posts, please visit the website. If you require any assistance, please contact the HR team by email: pso@wcs.ac.uk. Occasionally correspondence relating to your application may go into your spam/junk email folder.

Closing date for completed applications is 8th September 2026 (midnight).

The Board of Management of West College Scotland is a Scottish Charity.

Charity Number SCO21185.

Apply for this job