Head of Platforms & Infrastructure (Digital Services)

Job Vacancy: Head of IT Platforms & Infrastructure (Digital Services)

Location: Derbyshire County Council, County Hall, Matlock, DE4 3AG

Salary: £69,559 to £75,327 – (Inclusive of £10k market supplement for 2 years)

Contract Type: Permanent, full-time flexible working, 2 days per week on site

About Derbyshire County Council:

At Derbyshire County Council, we are truly ambitious about building on our successes, and we are dedicated to enhancing the well-being and quality of life for all residents in Derbyshire. Within our Digital Services division, we recognise the transformative power of an effective digital strategy in delivering exceptional public services. In our continuing journey to becoming a more modern, effective, and enterprising council we are embarking on an exciting journey into a digital future.

The Role:

Within our new Digital Services division, we are excited to announce a new leadership role for a Head of IT Platforms and Infrastructure who will play a pivotal part in implementing IT Platforms and Infrastructure principles within a divisional and business transformation context. An exceptional individual with a comprehensive toolkit, you will bring with you experience of successful cloud implementation and strategic transformation, and the ability to lead the creation of a vision and strategy that will define our Digital Services for years to come.

The Head of IT Platforms and Infrastructure will be at the forefront of building, embedding, and evolving best practices within the council’s Digital Services division, supporting both transformation projects and our journey to a cloud future as well as ensuring the continuity and excellence of business-as-usual activities. This role is essential to ensuring IT services are aligned with the council’s strategic goals and that we are delivering value and innovation to the public.

Are you ready to shape the future of Digital Services for Derbyshire County Council?

Key Responsibilities:

• Develop and own the Platforms and Infrastructure framework, SLAs, KPIs and governance for the effective delivery of services implementing IT Platforms and Infrastructure strategies and frameworks within an IT transformation and business transformation setting, ensuring alignment with strategic goals.
• Deliver the Council’s Digital Services strategy and stakeholder plan, promoting a standardised approach to IT service delivery.
• Foster a culture of continuous improvement, innovation, and excellence within the IT department.
• Develop and maintain strong collaborative relationships with key stakeholders, including department heads across the council, understanding their needs, and ensuring the Digital Services department meet those needs.
• Manage and lead the Platforms and Infrastructure team, promoting professional development, collaboration with other groups, and a high-performance culture.
• Ensure robust incident, problem and change management processes are in place, minimising the impact of IT service interruptions.
• Act as a lead expert in all aspect of ICT Operational areas and systems providing specialist advice and guidance to the Council and lead professionals to ensure an effective service and innovative solutions.
• Oversee day-to-day business as usual activities, ensuring the delivery of high-quality, reliable, and secure IT services.
• Manage and monitor the allocated ICT budget and make the required budget savings as well as developing opportunities for new areas of business that will financially support and underpin The Council’s core services.
• Stay abreast of emerging technology trends and assess their potential impact on and the benefit to council services.

 About You:

• You have demonstrable experience of holding an IT Head of Service role and successfully leading IT Platforms and Infrastructure teams and initiatives within a Digital Services division in a public sector or similarly complex business environment.
• A strategic thinker with a clear focus on business needs and delivering measurable value, you can show you have the skills along with the proven industry experience to design and align IT services with business objectives.
• You have demonstrable experience and an evidencable track record of working and managing IT teams in both an IT transformation and business transformation setting, ensuring alignment with strategic goals, while simultaneously delivering high quality IT business as usual activities.
• You have a proven track record of leading IT transformation projects, including direct experience with cloud migration strategies.
• With excellent leadership and team management skills, you can demonstrate that you are capable of inspiring and developing high-performing teams.
• Resilient and adaptable, you can navigate complex challenges and can show where and how you have driven positive change.
• Showing evidence of exceptional stakeholder management and communication abilities, you have the skills and experience to negotiate, influence, and engage effectively at all levels of the organisation.
• Resilient, adaptable, and innovative, you have a passion for continuous improvement and excellence and can show where you have made significant changes to the benefit of both your department but also the greater business.
• With and expert understanding of ITIL you have demonstrable experience in implementing ITIL frameworks with tangible results.

 Qualifications Required:

• Relevant degree or equivalent recognised senior IT qualification in a relevant area of specialism, or relevant experience.
• ITIL V4 Foundation as a minimum, Expert level preferred
  

Why Join Derbyshire County Council?

This is an exciting opportunity to join a forward-thinking council that values innovation, efficiency, and the impact of effective Digital Services on public service delivery. You will be instrumental in shaping the future of IT Platforms and Infrastructure within Derbyshire County Council, with ample opportunities for professional growth and development.

What we offer you: 

We offer a competitive salary, comprehensive benefits, and a commitment to work-life balance.

• 34 days annual leave, plus bank holidays
• Flexi time, allowing up to an additional 2 days of leave per month
• Training and development opportunities
• Generous local government pension scheme with a 20.8% employer contribution
• Guaranteed incremental annual pay increases
• Access to a comprehensive wellbeing package
• Cycle to work scheme
• Discounts at selected county leisure centres
• and much more!

 How to Apply:

To apply for this transformative leadership role, please submit your CV and a cover letter explaining why you are the perfect candidate for the advertised position. Highlight your relevant experience, achievements, and your vision for IT Platforms and Infrastructure within Derbyshire County Council.

Click on “Apply now” to register and upload your cover letter and CV.

Derbyshire County Council is an equal opportunities employer, and we welcome platforms from all qualified individuals. We are committed to creating a diverse and inclusive workplace where everyone can succeed.

Join us in making a difference in Derbyshire through excellence in Digital Services.

Apply now and take the first step towards a fulfilling career with us! By joining Derbyshire County Council you will have access to a range of amazing rewards and employee benefits, including our generous annual leave scheme, excellent local government pension and fantastic employee discounts. To discover more detail about the rewards and benefits available to you, click here

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