Job Purpose
To lead and manage the Council’s business-critical digital systems, ensuring they are robust, reliable, secure and fit for purpose. The post holder will provide technical leadership across system support, development, integration and digital transformation, while delivering priority projects, system upgrades and operational improvements in line with statutory, legislative, regulatory and organisational requirements.
The role will lead the analysis, development, implementation and ongoing support of digital systems, promote smarter ways of working, and provide expert advice and solutions that improve service efficiency, data availability and customer experience.
- Lead the management, support and development of business-critical and operational digital systems, ensuring they meet departmental business requirements.
- Lead the delivery of priority system projects, upgrades, enhancements and critical business processes, including end-of-year activities.
- Undertake system investigations, feasibility studies, requirements analysis, system design, programming/coding, testing, integration testing and implementation across a range of technologies.
- Lead the analysis and reporting of application and system requirements, providing technical advice and forward planning to ensure robust and resilient solutions.
- Develop and maintain effective working relationships with colleagues, elected members, service users, external organisations, suppliers and other stakeholders.
- Provide technical leadership, training, guidance and support to users and colleagues, promoting effective system use and smarter ways of working.
- Drive digital transformation and service improvement initiatives, identifying opportunities to improve efficiency, automation, data availability and customer service.
- Lead the resolution of complex technical and operational issues, assessing options and recommending effective and sustainable solutions.
- Plan, organise and resource technical tasks and projects, monitoring progress against agreed timescales, budgets and deliverables.
- Ensure system changes and developments are delivered to appropriate quality, testing, documentation and implementation standards.
- Support effective data integration between business systems, back-end systems and databases.
- Monitor system performance and identify risks, issues and opportunities for improvement, escalating significant deviations where appropriate.
- Maintain up-to-date knowledge of emerging digital technologies and provide recommendations on their potential application, value and cost effectiveness.
- Contribute to cost estimates, implementation plans and delivery timescales for proposed system developments and digital initiatives.
- Ensure systems and associated processes comply with relevant statutory, legislative, regulatory, data protection, security and organisational requirements.
- Support continuous service improvement and contribute to departmental decision-making through effective analysis, reporting and technical advice.
- Promote equality, diversity, confidentiality, professional standards and customer-focused service delivery in all aspects of the role.
- Undertake other duties appropriate to the level and responsibilities of the post.
- IT-related degree or equivalent qualification, or significant relevant experience within an IT environment.
- Proven professional experience in an IT systems, applications support, systems development or digital transformation role.
- Demonstrable project management experience, with the ability to deliver agreed projects within defined timescales and budgets.
- Strong technical knowledge of digital technologies, including the support and development of software applications.
- Knowledge and practical understanding of the systems development lifecycle within a support and delivery environment.
- Working knowledge of Windows operating systems.
- Proven experience of systems integration and transferring data between different back-end systems and databases.
- Experience of analysing requirements, investigating technical issues and developing effective solutions.
- Experience of programming or coding development and the ability to apply innovative and creative approaches to technical challenges.
- Experience of working collaboratively within a diverse ICT, applications support or development environment.
- Experience of communicating effectively with users, customers, external organisations and stakeholders at all levels.
- Understanding of statutory, legislative and regulatory requirements relevant to business-critical and operational systems.
- Strong organisational skills, with the ability to prioritise competing demands and manage multiple workstreams.
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to make sound decisions and provide practical solutions.
- Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to engage, consult and build positive relationships with stakeholders and partners.
- Ability to work effectively in a busy environment where priorities and demands may change.
- Self-motivated, proactive and able to demonstrate leadership and motivate others.
- Commitment to continuous service improvement and the delivery of high-quality, customer-focused services.
- Ability to maintain high professional standards, follow established procedures and contribute effectively to organisational decision-making.
- Understanding of national, regional and local digital policies and their implications for public services.
- Experience of WDM, Total Mobile and/or Agresso would be desirable.
- Hours per Week: 37 hours
- Location: Council offices / service locations as required
- Bi-Weekly Payments: Paid bi-weekly
