Digital Transformation Lead

6 Month Contract With A Local Authority

PURPOSE OF THE JOB

The Digital Transformation Lead will lead the implementation of Hackney’s Digital Strategy by developing and delivering a clear digital transformation roadmap and overseeing complex, multi-disciplinary programmes of change. The role provides strategic leadership and expert advice to senior stakeholders to ensure services are transformed using a digital-by-design approach, embedding user-centred design, agile delivery, and cultural change across the organisation. The postholder will ensure digital transformation activity delivers measurable benefits, supports the Council’s corporate priorities, and aligns with values of security, financial prudence, transparency, inclusion and sustainability, while contributing to wider Council initiatives and providing senior operational leadership, including out-of-hours support on a rota basis.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Working collegiately with colleagues on the Senior Management Team (SMT), contributing proactively to departmental and corporate objectives.
• Providing leadership and management to achieve high performance and effective operational delivery, including the efficient use of staff and resources.
• Working closely with the Director – ICT, Digital and Customer Services to support effective working relationships with relevant portfolio holders.
• Developing and maintaining effective partnerships and acting as an ambassador with external organisations.
• Providing expert advice at senior and board level on digital transformation and digital service design.
• Establishing and maintaining effective programme governance to deliver the digital programme and implement Hackney’s Digital Strategy.
• Advising senior managers, the Leader and the Executive on emerging models, best practice and Government initiatives relating to local government digital transformation, data analysis and insight.
• Reporting to and providing strategic advice to the Resident & Digital Board, Capital Programme Board and other senior officers and elected members as required.
• Managing all aspects of programme and project delivery, including feasibility, business cases, planning, dependencies, risks, mitigations and benefits realisation.
• Developing and managing a digital transformation roadmap aligned to the Council’s digital strategy and business objectives.
• Managing resources within the Digital Transformation team and across wider multi-disciplinary project teams.
• Identifying, piloting and evaluating innovative technologies to support service delivery and developing business cases for further investment.
• Leading and managing multi-disciplinary teams to co-design, develop and implement digital solutions.
• Working with the wider Transformation service to embed cultural change and build organisational capability to deliver digital change.
• Collaborating with services to design innovative and practical solutions to complex business problems.
• Identifying, managing and resolving delivery risks and challenges across projects and the wider programme.
• Supporting Corporate Directors and Directors to deliver agreed savings and contribute to the Council’s Budget Strategy.
• Managing relationships with external suppliers and key stakeholders to ensure solutions meet business and user needs.
• Applying Agile methodologies and an agile mindset to enable iterative, flexible and rapid delivery.
• Developing and applying appropriate design standards, methods and tools, ensuring work is documented and quality assured.
• Ensuring compliance with organisational security policies, maintaining confidentiality, integrity and availability of information systems.
• Identifying and managing risks through coordinated risk assessment and ongoing monitoring.
• Leading, motivating and inspiring staff, supporting performance management, development and continuous learning.
• Promoting a ‘one organisation’ approach across the Council.
• Promoting equality, diversity and inclusion, ensuring services are delivered in a non-discriminatory and accessible way.
• Identifying innovative approaches to service delivery that improve quality and value for money.
• Establishing and monitoring service performance and customer service standards.
• Working collaboratively with Council services and external partners to strengthen relationships and partnership working.
• Providing clarity on expected outcomes, standards and priorities.
• Managing budgets effectively, providing accurate financial information and taking action to address over- or under-spend.
• Complying with the Council’s Diversity & Equality and Health and Safety policies.

REQUIREMENTS

Qualifications

• Educated to bachelor’s degree level and/or relevant professional qualification (consideration given to equivalent experience).
• Evidence of significant relevant Continuing Professional Development (CPD).
• Extensive knowledge of new digital technologies and their implementation in complex organisations.
• Knowledge of business processes in local authorities or other complex, customer-focused organisations.
• Knowledge of the digital agenda within the public sector.

Experience

• Track record of achievement at management level in large, complex organisations.
• Experience delivering customer-focused services and service improvements under pressure and tight deadlines.
• Experience of planning for at least one year, anticipating priorities and changing business landscapes.
• Experience leading and managing complex digital transformation programmes.
• Experience building and sustaining strategic-level relationships across organisations.
• Experience identifying and implementing digital solutions that improve services and efficiency.
• Experience managing large, complex programmes, including all aspects of programme and project management.
• Experience leading multi-functional project teams to deliver successful outcomes.
• Experience setting up and managing digital development and support teams.
• Understanding of IT solutions as strategic enablers for digital change.

Skills and Abilities

• Strong leadership and management skills, including people, performance and budget management.
• Strong communication, negotiation and influencing skills.
• Ability to work collaboratively across teams and departments.
• Demonstrates high standards of public service, honesty, integrity and professionalism.
• Technical programme and project management skills.
• Service redesign, transformation and change management skills.
• Ability to integrate new technical capabilities into business processes effectively.
• Ability to adopt innovative approaches to complex situations and generate practical solutions.
• Influential and persuasive communicator with strong written and verbal skills.
• Political awareness and ability to navigate complex stakeholder environments.
• Ability to manage changing circumstances, prioritise effectively and lead others to achieve results.