Arden University, an innovative and fast-growing higher education institution, is on the lookout for an IT Support Technician to join its vibrant Manchester campus. If you’re passionate about technology, thrive in a supportive environment, and want to play a key role in delivering seamless IT services to staff and students, this could be the opportunity you’ve been waiting for.
Role Overview: What You’ll Be Doing
As an IT Support Technician, you will be a cornerstone of the university’s day-to-day operations. Your responsibilities will include:
- Providing first and second-line support, both in-person and remotely, to staff and students across all Manchester study centres .
- Troubleshooting and resolving issues with hardware, software, and AV systems, ensuring everything runs smoothly .
- Managing support tickets through the university’s ITSM ticketing system, prioritizing effectively to meet service-level expectations.
- Conducting user training and advocacy, empowering users to make the most of university technology and follow best practices
- Balancing priorities under pressure, maintaining organized and responsive support throughout the day.
Shift Patterns & Salary Details
- This is a full-time permanent position (35 hours per week) based on the Manchester campus .
- The salary range is £31,000–£33,000 per annum, including a 10% uplift for unsociable hours—such as early evenings or Saturdays
- Current shifts might be:
Monday 08:30–17:00
Tuesday & Wednesday 12:00–20:30
Thursday 08:30–17:00
Friday 09:00–14:00
- Future schedules may shift to later evenings and add Saturday morning coverage, while maintaining salary and uplift
Who Arden University Are—and What They Value
- Founded in 1990, Arden University combines blended and online learning to disrupt traditional higher education
- Their mission is to democratize access to career-focused education—supporting learners from diverse backgrounds
- Arden employs around 1,100 colleagues across its UK and German campuses.
- The IT department is tasked with maintaining robust infrastructure, service desk operations, development, and infrastructure engineering
Benefits You’ll Enjoy
Arden University doesn’t just offer a paycheck—it offers a total rewards package to help you thrive:
- 30 days of annual holiday, plus bank holidays (and they close at Christmas!)
- A generous Aviva pension plan, starting at 7%.
- Access to SimplyHealth medical cashback or private medical insurance, depending on role level
- Free tuition at Arden for yourself, and a generous discount for family and friends—plus their special “Golden Ticket” gift-entry program
- A friendly, inclusive, and flexible work culture grounded in Progressive, Accessible, Resourceful, and Kind values
- Opportunities for career progression within the IT department or across the broader university.
Eligibility criteria
To succeed in this role, you should bring:
- Proven IT service desk or support experience, with a strong customer service orientation.
- Solid familiarity with Microsoft OS, Office 365, and typical IT environments
- Excellent communication skills, capable of simplifying technical concepts for non-technical users.
- Proficiency with ITSM ticketing systems for incident tracking and SLA management.
- An ability to multitask under pressure, stay organized, and deliver high-quality service.
Bonus qualifications:
- ITIL foundation certification.
- Technical accreditations like Microsoft MCSA or Cisco CCNA.
- Experience supporting audio-visual (AV) equipment
Why This Could Be the Right Fit for You
- Stable, institution-backed role in a university known for innovation and strong growth.
- Competitive compensation with structured support for evenings and weekend work.
- A supportive culture where training, creativity, and flexibility are encouraged.
- Career path visibility into senior IT roles, project management, or technical specialisms.
- Valuable exposure to both on-site and remote support across a multi-campus environment.
Tips to Stand Out in Your Application
- Tailor your CV to show technical skills, service desk experience, and problem-solving success.
- Share concrete examples of incidents resolved, service improvements delivered, and customer interactions.
- List any certifications: ITIL, Microsoft, Cisco, or AV experience.
- Highlight your communication skills, teamwork, and effectiveness under pressure.
- Research Arden’s values and mission—Demonstrate alignment in your cover letter.
What Happens After Applying?
- Applications are reviewed by HR and IT leadership.
- Expect a telephone or video interview, followed by an on-site technical and cultural assessment.
- You may tackle scenario-based questions (e.g., AV failure during a class).
- They’ll also explore your interest in professional growth and ability to learn on the job.
Wrapping Up
- The IT Support Technician role at Arden University in Manchester offers:
- A permanent, full-time position (35 hours/week)
- Salary of £31k–£33k plus a 10% unsociable hours uplift
- Great benefits—holiday, pension, health perks, free tuition, and inclusive culture
- A chance to impact learners’ digital experience every day
- Opportunities to grow within the institution’s expanding IT function
Next Steps
- Update your CV and cover letter with relevant experience and enthusiasm.
- Reflect on a couple of support challenges you’ve handled—be ready to discuss them clearly.
- Apply via Arden’s careers page or Totaljobs listing.
- Let me know if you’d like help prepping for interviews or polishing your application!