Canterbury Christ Church University is seeking an outstanding Director of Digital, Technology & Products to play a pivotal strategic leadership role in delivering its ambitious institutional vision and digital transformation agenda.

Home to over 30,000 students and 1,500 staff, Canterbury Christ Church University (CCCU) is a dynamic public institution based in the historic city of Canterbury, Kent. As a modern and innovative university, it delivers a broad academic portfolio across arts, humanities, social sciences, business, science, engineering and health, and is committed to providing an inclusive and supportive learning environment. With continued investment in digital infrastructure, systems and student experience, CCCU is positioning itself at the forefront of sector innovation.

Reporting to the Chief Digital & Student Experience Officer, the Director of Digital, Technology & Products will provide strategic leadership for the University’s digital ecosystem, ensuring that digital services, platforms and technology capabilities are aligned to institutional priorities and deliver meaningful impact across teaching, learning, research and professional services.

Leading a multi-disciplinary directorate spanning digital services, digital products, transformation and cyber security, you will be responsible for shaping and delivering a coherent and modern digital operating model. The role will ensure that services are secure, reliable and user-focused, while also driving forward major transformation programmes that enhance efficiency, enable innovation and improve the student and staff experience.

You will oversee the development of the University’s digital product and platform portfolio, embedding product-led and user-centred approaches, alongside strong governance, risk management and compliance frameworks. Working in close partnership with senior academic and professional services leaders, you will play a key role in ensuring digital capability acts as a critical enabler of CCCU’s strategic ambitions.

We are seeking a highly credible and forward-thinking digital leader who is ready to take on a broader, enterprise-level remit within a complex organisation. You will bring a strong track record of delivering digital strategy and transformation, along with the ability to operate across multiple functions and influence at senior levels.

This role offers the opportunity to step into a significant leadership position with responsibility for shaping the University’s digital direction, leading senior teams, and driving meaningful change at scale. You will bring experience of modern digital operating models, including service management, product-led delivery and agile ways of working, alongside the confidence to navigate complexity and build strong relationships across a diverse stakeholder landscape.

With a collaborative and inclusive leadership style, you will be capable of translating vision into delivery, balancing the demands of operational performance with longer-term transformation. You will be motivated by the opportunity to make a tangible impact, leading the evolution of digital capability within a mission-driven institution and contributing directly to CCCU’s strategic ambitions.

Learn more about the role, organisation and application process via the candidate brochure here: CCCU – Director of Digital, Technology and Products

MRG are supporting CCCU with this recruitment campaign. To arrange a confidential briefing discussion with our advisor Sian Gardiner, please contact sian.gardiner@mrgglobal.com

Applications should consist of a CV and covering letter and should be sent to
sally.brockway@mrgglobal.com and sian.gardiner@mrgglobal.com.

Closing date for applications is Sunday 14^th June 2026. Interviews will take place at the University on Friday 10^th July 2026.

Canterbury Christ Church University welcomes fresh perspectives and new voices. We are committed to creating an inclusive environment where everyone can thrive and feel a true sense of belonging. If this resonates with you, we look forward to hearing from you.

Canterbury Christ Church University is seeking a high-calibre Director of Digital Products to lead the development and evolution of its enterprise digital product portfolio, playing a central role in delivering the University’s digital ambitions and wider institutional strategy.

Home to over 30,000 students and 1,500 staff, Canterbury Christ Church University (CCCU) is a dynamic and values-led institution located in the historic city of Canterbury. With a strong civic mission and commitment to inclusive education, the University is investing significantly in its digital capability to enhance the student and staff experience, strengthen operational efficiency, and support long-term sustainability.

Reporting to the Director of Digital, Technology and Products, the Director of Digital Products will be responsible for shaping and delivering the vision, strategy and operating model for the University’s digital product estate. This is a critical leadership role at the heart of the University’s transformation agenda, ensuring that digital products are aligned to institutional priorities, technically coherent, and deliver measurable value to users and the organisation.

As Director of Digital Products, you will lead the end-to-end product lifecycle, from discovery and prioritisation through to delivery, optimisation and retirement; embedding a product-led approach that drives continuous improvement and value realisation. Working across a complex digital landscape, you will establish clear product ownership, outcome-based roadmaps and robust governance frameworks to ensure investment decisions are informed, transparent and strategically aligned.

Operating at the intersection of product management, technology, architecture and business change, you will work in close partnership with academic and professional service leaders to ensure digital products enable excellent user experiences, support data-driven decision-making and deliver long-term organisational impact. You will also play a key role in strengthening commercial oversight, ensuring effective vendor management, cost control and return on investment across the product portfolio.

We are seeking an experienced digital or product leader with a strong track record of delivering product-led transformation within complex organisations. You will bring expertise in modern product operating models, including multidisciplinary teams, agile delivery and evidence-led prioritisation, alongside a strong understanding of enterprise systems, integration and architecture principles.

With strong leadership and influencing skills, you will be confident operating at senior levels, able to align diverse stakeholders around shared priorities and translate complex technical concepts into clear, meaningful outcomes. You will be motivated by the opportunity to shape a modern, user-centred digital environment and to deliver lasting value within a mission-driven organisation.

Learn more about the role, organisation and application process via the candidate brochure here: CCCU – Director of Digital Products

MRG are supporting CCCU with this recruitment campaign. To arrange a confidential briefing discussion, please contact Sian Gardiner sian.gardiner@mrgglobal.com

Applications should consist of a CV and covering letter and should be sent to
sally.brockway@mrgglobal.com and sian.gardiner@mrgpeople.co.uk

Closing date for applications is Sunday 14^th June 2026. Interviews will take place at the University on Thursday 16^th July 2026.

Canterbury Christ Church University welcomes fresh perspectives and new voices. We are committed to creating an inclusive environment where everyone can thrive and feel a true sense of belonging. If this resonates with you, we look forward to hearing from you.