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Job description

Service / Function

Leadership and management of the Council’s technology strategy and supporting platforms and applications. This includes taking responsibility for the overall approach to using technology to maximise accessible and modern customer services and effective processes whilst making best use of cloud-based solutions which help reduce the impact on the environment and are more sustainable.

Employees

Lead a team of software engineers, technology architects, infrastructure engineers, cybersecurity experts and support staff who can support and enable colleagues to work in an environment which maximises technology to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of services. The current staff complement across the service is circa 59 FTE.

Budget

This postholder has a key role in ensuring the Council makes best use of its budget by using the best available platforms and applications. The post holder is directly accountable for a gross budget of circa £6.5m

Job Purpose

To lead the design, development and embedding of technology strategies and associated applications and tools which support delivery of the Council’s key corporate and partnership priorities in line with the corporate plan – a Council that works for everyone, to benefit the people of Northumberland. These activities play a critical role in ensuring that the Council is using the most effective and efficient IT infrastructure and processes which enable the Council to use the best available information to inform decisions and understand how to make best use of all the resource at its disposal. All technology services need to be user-centred and so having a good understanding of the breadth and complexity of services covered is essential so that changes can be co- designed and owned from start through to implementation and delivery.

The postholder will provide expert advice on the shape of the technology strategy and supporting programmes and contribute significantly to the shape and content of the technology elements of the Council’s transformation programme whilst understanding and addressing the need to keep existing arrangements effective and continuously improving.

The postholder will work closely with colleagues across different services to ensure that the new platforms or applications being designed and delivered are able to consider how they will improve the quality of services as well as reduce inefficiencies and cost. This includes support for options appraisals and business cases as well as contributing to the assessment of potential benefits and benefits realisation and then support delivery of the agreed solutions. As part of this the impact on the environment will be considered to reduce the impact of the technology estate.

To provide a technology strategy which maximises the opportunity to reduce use of more expensive platforms and applications whilst protecting the specific needs of residents and users who cannot make use of some of these tools. The technology strategy will balance the Council’s ambitions to achieve best value and contribute to the Council’s ambitions around climate change whilst contributing to delivery of the Inequalities Plan. As part of this there may be opportunities to rationalise the number of platforms and applications and so having an in-depth understanding of the functionality of different arrangements and where new features could make improvements both within services as well as across the organisation will be necessary.

To play a full and positive role as a member of the Council’s Senior Management Team ensuring the delivery of effective strategic direction, leadership and resource management ( people, finance and other assets) and use of prioritisation to secure the best possible delivery of public services across the locality and maximise the Council’s role in finding ways of delivering services which provide best value for money.

Lead by example and foster a culture, both with the Directorate and across the Council, which engages all staff and partners in the development and delivery of services which meet residents’ needs and expectations.

Key functional responsibilities

• Lead the design and build of the Council’s Technology Strategy with supporting architecture and activities to help both members and officers make best use of reliable and robust technology to inform the provision of sustainable services which provide best value for money and customer experience. All this activity needs to make best use of cloud-based solutions and be co-designed with appropriate services to ensure they understand and are able to fully utilise new tools.
• Support Members of the Council, the Director, Executive Director, and the Chief Executive in developing the vision and priorities for the County and ensure best advice is provided on the most appropriate response to internal and external pressures for transformational change where technological solutions are key to long term success. This postholder has a particular responsibility to ensure that technology action plans balance support for existing infrastructure whilst making the most of new opportunities. This information is also needed to create a performance framework which uses robust and up to date information so that resources can be realigned wherever necessary. Having the right corporate architecture will be key both in having the best corporate solutions as well as contributing to the rationalisation of systems which are too narrow in focus and less sustainable.
• Manage well the interface between Elected Members and Officers within the Directorate, maintaining and developing essential Member / Officer partnerships and processes which support and promote a positive and respectful relationship between Members and Officers.
• Champion a coherent multi agency approach to service delivery and provide leadership, and management of the team within the Directorate to ensure the delivery of the Council’s priorities and provision of high-quality, cost-effective services based on community needs.
• Where appropriate, participate in and develop the Council’s commitment to actively collaborate in major local and regional partnerships to achieve, within the overall strategy, maximum benefit for the Council and its communities. These partnerships will be essential to understand new opportunities which can be used in the organisation to effect positive change.
• Contribute to successful management of the Council’s reputation, ensuring that it always acts in the best interests of Northumberland and that its activities are explained to stakeholders in an open and transparent manner.

Principal accountabilities

• Act as the Council’s technical adviser on the digital strategy and programme and support the Director, Executive Director and other colleagues in making sure the Council has all necessary arrangements in place to maximise both existing technology as well as shape future provision in order to provide user/ centred and cost-effective solutions which support timely and effective service delivery. Having the right architecture and efficient processes will help the organisation be assured that it is using smart solutions in the right way, at the right time and in a way that best meets different people and communities needs whilst securing significant cost efficiencies.
• Deputise for the Director of Digital and IT when requested.
• Oversee the provision of timely and accurate advice to the Director, Executive Director, Chief Executive, Cabinet, and all Members, to ensure provision of high-quality professional advice on matters which will ensure services are customer focused, sustainable and meet necessary standards as set down in legislation and relevant regulations and best practice standards.
• Act as a role model and exemplar in achieving a people-centred, values based and inclusive organisational culture that promotes innovation and creativity, nurtures growth, and focuses on developing and maximising the potential of the workforce to improve services.
• Oversee the most effective utilisation, performance, and deployment of resources (Human, Physical and Financial) that puts at its heart the provision of high quality, value for money services and ensure that there is sufficient capacity within the directorate to deliver successfully against the Council’s ambitions and priorities bearing in mind statutory requirements.
• Actively demonstrate commitment and action to develop an inclusive, supportive, and constructive environment where everyone is treated with dignity and respect and diversity is valued in the workplace, in service delivery and communications.
• Support and contribute to the efficient and effective implementation of major programmes of technological change both in relation to the corporate Transformation Programme and other initiatives to ensure that all digital implications are given proper consideration during the assessment of options and subsequent implementation in order to maximise solutions which deliver best value and reduce are sustainable. These solutions may involve making sure that the corporate benefits are assessed alongside service needs in order to build and maintain a programme which is coherent and focuses on overall priorities.
• Oversee the scrutiny and advice on the plans and actions of Central Government and other external agencies to determine their impact on the development of local policies

and priorities such as they relate to the application of digital solutions and position the Council as a decisive and influential organisation to maximise all available assets and use modern and innovative solutions . This will involve horizon scanning for national policy changes to use of digital solutions which might affect the Council’s plans.

• Ensure the promotion, development, and maintenance of good relationships with the media and public as an individual and across the Directorate and ensure effective communication and engagement strategies are applied to support delivery of services and change activities.
• Ensure equality, diversity and cohesion principles are embedded across all services. Provide leadership around diversity and inclusion, ensuring that the policies and services of the Council reflect the changing needs of all our communities and workforce and that equality of opportunity is ensured and diversity celebrated.
• Represent and negotiate on behalf of the Council at local, regional, and national levels, promoting inter-authority working across the region and demonstrating flexibility and responsiveness to change.
• If required play a role within the Council’s Corporate Emergency Planning arrangements. ( This includes a requirement to be available in the event of an emergency to perform the duties allocated to the post within the Emergency Plan).
• To undertake functions in the event of local or national elections, supporting the Returning Officer ensure the democratic nature of such activities is undertaken efficiently and in compliance with all statutory requirements.
• Ensure that all duties and responsibilities are be carried out in accordance with Council’s Constitution, governance arrangements, policies, and procedures.

Special Conditions

This position has been identified as a politically restricted post under the Local Government and Housing Act 1989. Therefore, the post holder is restricted from undertaking or participating in any political activity.

Senior Managers Core Competencies

Working with partners

• Work collaboratively across services and departments to deliver corporate excellence.
• Work collaboratively with external partners to deliver excellent service.
• Seek opportunities for partnership working at a local, regional, national level.
• Clarify expectations, objectives and working arrangements of partnerships.
• Contribute effectively to multi-partner projects.

Serving our community

• Promote the Community Plan.
• Seek and act on feedback from the community.
• Influence Service and Corporate plans to reflect community needs.
• Develop, deliver, and improve access to services based on an awareness and understanding of the diverse community.
• Promote equality of opportunity in service delivery

Working within the political arena

• Understand and actively support the role of Councillors.
• Understand and actively support the democratic process within Northumberland Council.
• Recognise the impact of Government and legislation on Council strategy and services.
• Consult, support, and keep Councillors informed.

Delivering excellence

• Understand how corporate performance is measured.
• Monitor and evaluate services in relation to objectives and performance indicators.
• Establish a culture that embraces the agreed Vision and Values.
• Be positive ambassadors for the organisation.
• Contribute to strengthening corporate leadership capacity.
• Identify opportunities where organisational performance could be improved.

Focusing on the future

• Scan the external environment, look ahead, assess strategic options, and develop the Council in the medium and long term.
• Lead the development and implementation of corporate policy at a strategic level.
• Challenge what we do and how we do it.
• Influence relevant national and regional organisations and partners.
• Connect plans, policies, strategies, and services to provide consistent service delivery.
• Generate innovative ideas.
• Translate strategy into action.
• Consider the implications of decisions across the Council and act in the overall interests of Council performance.

Building shared vision and values

• Scan the internal environment and engage employees in compelling visions of the future.
• Create an environment in which a culture embracing our Vision and Values can thrive.
• Involve all stakeholders in building a vision for the future.
• Have a clear picture of the direction the organisation is taking and communicate it with insight, energy, and vision.
• Translate the Council’s vision into practical and achievable plans.

Strengthening corporate leadership capacity

• Continuously develop the political leadership and managerial interface.
• Operate with others as a cohesive senior managerial team.
• Create time with staff and other managers for discussion about their development rather than firefighting.
• Coach and mentor staff and other managers.
• Lead, delegate and empower others at a strategic level.
• Identify and develop potential senior managerial successors.

Promoting and facilitating change

• Critically evaluate the reasons that prompt change and take appropriate action.
• Proactively steer internal change.
• Proactively manage the exchange of information between the public and the organisation.
• Consider the resource implications of change.
• Anticipate and respond to emotional and morale issues brought about by change.
• Monitor and evaluate the change process to ensure aims are met.

Job Types: Full-time, Permanent

Salary: £73,511.00-£82,100.00 per year

Benefits:

• Company pension
• Free or subsidised travel
• Free parking
• Sick pay
• Work from home

Schedule:

• Day shift
• Monday to Friday

Ability to commute/relocate:

• Morpeth, Northumberland: reliably commute or plan to relocate before starting work (required)

Experience:

• Information Technology (preferred)

Work Location: In person

Reference ID: 00014932-1

About Find Your Flex

Revenue: Unknown / Non-Applicable
Size: Unknown
Type: Company - Public
Website: www.findyourflex.co.uk