Job Description

Job info	Job info details
Job title	Head of Applications
Strategic team/Directorate	Corporate Services
Service	IT
Business unit	IT Software Development
Responsible to (day to day issues)	Head of IT
Accountable to (line manager)	Head of IT
Salary grade	N
JE ref	ICT09

1. Key purpose of job

To oversee IT Software Development activities, projects and programmes across all areas of the Council and for partner organisations, such as the NHS and SWISCo.
To create, monitor and deliver the Development programme in line with customer requirements and the strategic direction of the Council.
To manage multiple diverse, multi-disciplinary IT service delivery teams on a day-to-day basis.
To maintain and develop the operational capability of the Software Development unit (reviewing training opportunities, career pathways, succession planning, resource requirements, etc.).
To perform a leading role in the strategic direction of the Council in terms of the introduction of new technologies or changes.
To manage the Annual Software Licence budget (Revenue) – approx. £1.8 million.
To support effective business change by building relationships with senior stakeholders and business partners.

2. Anticipated outcomes of post

IT systems are sourced and implemented in line with the Development programme, the strategic direction of the Council and customer requirements.
Service areas benefit from IT systems that meet their requirements and are cost effective, efficient, value for money and enhance service delivery, whether delivered by internal IT staff or commissioned to external suppliers.
Software Development services are delivered to a high standard and in a cost-effective manner.
The Software Development unit is developed to meet the on-going needs of the Council, via on-going reviews of staff training, career pathways, succession planning, resource requirements, etc.).

3. List key duties and accountabilities of the post

Sets the strategy for resource management (staff) within the Software Development Unit. Will coordinate and allocate IT resources to meet business objectives.
Manages the capacity and availability of IT resources (applications, data, etc.), setting and agreeing the processes and procedures for monitoring availability. Will initiate actions where systems are not available in-line with requirements.
Maintains an in-depth knowledge of the key features of the critical line of business applications used across the organisation. Also, a high-level knowledge of all business applications where the Software Development Unit has been involved in either the application’s development or procurement.
Authorises system design practices and infrastructure changes in relation to the management of the databases and other technical components required to support line of business applications.
Leads on complex IT work streams typically taking more than 12 months with significant business or political impact or where projects are high profile/high risk. Will monitor and control resources, capital and revenue costs against project/programme budgets.
Appraises, evaluates and manages a portfolio of IT programmes, projects and work items in support of the organisation to ensure resources are allocated, progress tracked, and adjustments made where required. All interdependencies to be managed.
Assesses and triages Work Proposal Requests for the Software Development unit, validating the business benefits and will escalate concerns when necessary.
Oversees the procurement of specialist IT products and services, including clarifying specifications, using tact and persuasion to negotiate contract terms, complying with budgetary constraints and identifying opportunities for business improvement.
Negotiates, implements and manages Service Level Agreements to deliver services to customers, ensuring the catalogue of services are created and delivered in accordance with the SLA.
Plans and implements initiatives and procedures to ensure that the Software Development unit is efficient and compliant with all relevant legislation and regulations.
Acts as senior first point of contact regarding Software Development queries and requirements from Council staff at all levels and recommends the best course of action.
Provides leadership and guidelines on IT and information security policies to be applied across the Council (along with other Senior IT Managers and Information Governance), to all Council staff and Members.
Sets technical research goals for Software Development staff and makes proposals for investment both within IT and for the wider organisation (e.g. to the Head of IT, Director of Corporate Services and DOM).
Sets procedures and processes within the Software Development unit, to ensure compliance with the Council’s financial regulations.
Oversees the setting of policy and procedures to manage changes being made to Production (Live) and Test environments.
Agrees and oversees staff professional development activities.
Sets the strategy for the creation of new posts and teams (including re-structures). Develops and maintains Career Pathways for a range of posts and leads the assessment of individuals’ career progressions.
Takes a lead role in Disaster Recovery planning.
Software contracts and Licencing: Creates processes and procedures for monitoring the state of organisational compliance and will initiate corrective action where required.
Oversees the creation of policies and guidance notes for the application and use of technologies and tools, for all service users to adopt, and use tact and persuasion to encourage compliance with these policies.
As an employee of Torbay Council all roles are expected to work in a way that ensures vulnerable children and adults are safeguarded and report any safeguarding concerns in accordance with established policies and procedures. The Designated Senior Lead for Safeguarding is the Chief Executive and Director of Children’s Services.

4. Budgetary/Financial Responsibilities of the post

Purchase Order approval up to £25,000 for any PO’s created across a range of IT cost codes for both Capital and Revenue.
Control and management of the Annual Software Licence budget (Revenue) – approx. £1.8 million. Will incorporate adequate checks to ensure software licence and support charges are in line with agreed terms. Will decide on the scope and acceptable values of any multi-year support contracts.
Control and management of the M365 contract – approx. £1.5 million over 3 years. Involves the purchase (at Anniversary and during the year) and oversight of various M365 licences and related items, which are paid for either corporately or by individual service areas.
Will undertake contract and Service Level agreements negotiations with suppliers, including payment terms.
Will create and manage Service Level Agreements with external customers (income streams), including annual uplift of charges, as appropriate.

5. Supervision/Line Management Responsibilities of the post

Responsible for 25 staff (all permanent home workers), split across 4 diverse technical teams, each providing at least 2 distinct sets of separate skills and services. Work allocation to Project Leader teams and managing conflicting priorities within the Software Development team. Oversees training and development needs of all Software Development team members.
Direct line manager for 4 Project Leaders. Responsible for recruitment, appraisals, mentoring, disciplinary action, work allocation (including cover) and prioritisation/re-prioritisation of tasks.

6. Working environment and conditions of the post

Normal working environment and conditions.

7. Physical demands of the post

Normal physical effort.

8. Specific resources used by the post

Standard IT equipment.

9. Key contacts and relationships

External:

Existing suppliers:
- Dealing with significant change requests and pursuing product improvements, discussing variations on performance to agreed norms, escalation of issues (including major price increases and contract extensions/renewals).
Potential new suppliers:
- Product evaluation and tendering, Price and T&C negotiation.
NHS Trust:
- Negotiations involving the creation and review of Service Level Agreement (SLA), overseeing requirement gathering for work outside the SLA and charging for this work. Chairing meetings (quarterly).
SWISCo:
- Negotiations involving the creation and review of Service Level Agreement (SLA), overseeing requirement gathering for work outside the SLA and charging for this work. Chairing meetings (4-weekly).
Other:
- Auditors and Inspectors (e.g., ICO), attendance of IT and digital forums.

Internal:

Service users at all levels:
- Establishment of key requirements and changes to requirements, project scheduling discussions, representation on various project and programme boards, involvement in procurements.
IT Managers:
- Works closely with Direct Reports (Project Leaders), Peers (Network Lead and Desktop/Service Desk Lead) and the Head of IT to provide an effective and efficient IT service.
Auditors:
- Attendance of various IT Audits
Information Security:
- Membership of Information Security Group, attending regular meetings.
Procurement:
- Regular contact in terms of new procurements, contract renewals and extensions, provision of evaluation requirements for IT procurements, etc.

10. Other duties

To undertake additional duties as required, commensurate with the level of the job.

Other Information

All staff must commit to the Workplace Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Practice and Policy.
Torbay Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and applicants must be willing to undergo the checks appropriate to the post applied for.
The post holder is expected to work in a way that ensures vulnerable children and adults are safeguarded and report any safeguarding concerns in accordance with established policies and procedures. And are aware that the Chief Executive and the Director for Childrens Services are the Safeguarding Leads for the Council.
The post is eligible for both hybrid and permanent home working.
You will be asked to complete a Criminal Records Self Declaration Form. Criminal convictions will only be taken into account when they are relevant to the post. You will only be asked to disclose ‘unspent’ convictions.
The Council operates a Smoke-Free Policy and the post-holder is prohibited from smoking in any of the Council's buildings (including Council owned and Council leased buildings, but excluding designated areas in residential schemes), enclosed spaces within the curtilage of buildings, and Council vehicles. The Council does not permit smoking breaks within work time, however, in services where the flexi-scheme is in operation, employees may take reasonable break times outside of core hours, in accordance with flexi-time arrangements. Employees should follow the flexi-scheme procedure for agreeing time away from their duties in the normal manner with their immediate colleagues and line manager, with break start and finish times being recorded, as with any other break-time arrangement.
The post-holder is expected to familiarise themselves with and adhere to all relevant Council Policies and Procedures.
The post-holder must comply with the Council’s Health and Safety requirements as outlined in the H&S policy appropriate to the role.
The post-holder must be committed to the Council’s Core Values for employees – “Torbay Council employees are committed to being forward thinking, people orientated and adaptable - always with integrity”. Evidence will be sought during the probation and appraisal processes.
If this post is customer facing, it will require the ability to fulfil all spoken aspects of the role with confidence and fluency in English.
If you are required to access a government system such as HMRC, DWP or The Public services network (PSN) as part of your role with the Council you will be required to complete a basic disclose with your line manager before you can access these systems. Your manager will be required to complete a verification form that confirms your identity, nationality and immigration status, employment history and unspent convictions (third party).
If you are required to use your own vehicle on Council business or drive a council vehicle you will be asked to provide information on any driving endorsements by accessing gov.uk/view-driving-licence and providing a code to your Line Manager in order to share your driving licence information with the Council.

Person Specification

Note for Candidate

All Candidates

The supporting statement on your application form will be used to assess ability to meet the essential requirements of the role, so you should explain how you meet each of the numbered essential requirements within your supporting statement. In a competitive situation, the desirable criteria may be taken into consideration, so you are encouraged to show how you also meet each of the desirable criteria.

Candidates who consider that they have a disability

Reasonable adjustments will be made to the job, job requirements or recruitment process for candidates with a disability.

If you consider yourself to have a disability you should indicate this on your application form, providing any information you would like us to take into account with regard to your disability in order to offer a fair selection interview.

Where ever possible and reasonable we will make adjustments and offer alternatives to help you through the application and selection process.

If you have indicated that you have a disability on your application form you will be guaranteed an interview if you clearly demonstrate in your supporting evidence how you broadly meet the essential requirements of the role.

Job info	Job info details
Job Title	Head of Applications
Strategic team/Directorate	Corporate Services
Service	IT
Business unit	IT Software Development

Skills and effectiveness

Essential skills and effectiveness

Excellent communication skills, to actively engage and explain technical information to IT colleagues, service users and external contacts at all levels.
Ability to demonstrate effective leadership skills.
Effective staff Management skills, with the ability to bring together a diverse range of individuals with varying skill sets.
Effective influencing and negotiation skills.
Proven tact and persuasion skills.
Ability to analyse complex issues and requirements and undertake comparative analysis of potential solutions.
Excellent project/programme management skills.
Ability to prioritise their own work and direct the work of others, in line with conflicting and changing priorities.
Analytical and innovative.
Ability to effectively keep up to date with developments in technology.

Desirable skills and effectiveness

N/A

Knowledge

Essential knowledge

Working knowledge of Project and Programme methodologies including tools such as PRINCE2 and MS Project.
Comprehensive understanding of the IT architecture components required by a complex and diverse organisation and how they fit together.
Thorough working knowledge of Software Development tools, techniques and best practice.
Thorough working knowledge of the procurement methodologies for bringing in new IT solutions.
Extensive working knowledge of general IT contract terms and conditions.
Detailed knowledge and understanding of a wide range of IT systems/business applications, including the key features and outcomes required from them.
Good understanding of software licence management and compliance.
Awareness of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and its application.
Effective knowledge and understanding of the underlying legislation surrounding data security and be aware of associated risks and controls, including a working knowledge of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).

Desirable knowledge

MS Licencing rules across a range of Microsoft products.
Data constructs and attributes required for data mapping (GIS).
PSN security standards.
Detailed knowledge and understanding of a wide range of IT systems/business applications used by Councils, including the key features and outcomes required from them.

Experience and achievements

Essential experience and achievements

Proven experience in an IT programme management capacity for a large complex and diverse organisation.
Will have managed or overseen the management of at least one successful £100k + project.
Will have working experience of managing an IT team providing a diverse set of skills.
Experience of working in a multi-platform software development environment.
Experience of managing a large revenue budget.
Experience of working on a range of projects with conflicting priorities on resources and funds.

Desirable experience and achievements

Will have managed staff teams of 12 or more people in an IT environment.
Management of a tight budget.
Management of a group of Software application developers.

Qualifications/professional memberships

Essential qualifications/professional memberships

Educated to Degree level (or equivalent) or have equivalent work experience in a similar capacity.
PRINCE2 Foundation.
Holds or is willing to work towards a professional management qualification/apprenticeship such as CMI Level 5 in Management/Leadership.

Desirable qualifications/professional memberships

PRINCE 2 Practitioner.

Other requirements

Other requirements of the job role

Demonstrates a commitment to safeguard and promote the welfare of children and young people.
Ability to travel efficiently around the Bay/South West/UK in order to carry out duties.
Ability to accommodate unsociable hours when necessary.
Ability to accommodate on-call working.