Head of Digital in Chesterfield

Join us in this senior leadership role and be accountable for establishing and embedding digital, data, and insight as core organisational capabilities within EMCCA.

Welcome to EMCCA. At the East Midlands Combined County Authority (EMCCA), we are unlocking billions of pounds of investment for our region through our devolution deal with the government. Our elected Mayor is a powerful voice on the national stage for the people of Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire, overseeing devolved powers around transport, housing, skills and adult education, economic development, and net zero. We will make our region more prosperous, sustainable, and fairer, helping our people and businesses to create and seize opportunities. EMCCA’s overall work programme is evolving, ambitious and focused on the future to deliver tangible, sustainable, lasting, and systemic change for all our communities.

Your role in elevating the East Midlands: You will lead Digital services across EMCCA, collaborating with stakeholders, aligning functional areas to shared objectives and delivering cohesive digital and data service outcomes. This is a role with significant autonomy within our overall strategic framework. You will provide organisation-wide leadership on digital transformation and data-led decision-making. This is NOT an ICT operations role. Your accountability will be focused on strategy, transformation, insight, governance, and outcomes, with technology delivery enabled through partnerships and suppliers.

Key responsibilities include:

• Leading the ongoing development and delivery of EMCCA’s Digital and Data Strategy alongside the supporting roadmap in alignment with the overarching direction set by the Director of Digital and Operations.
• Acting as EMCCA’s senior professional lead for digital and data, setting standards, principles, and ways of working across the organisation.
• The provision of expert advice and assurance to the Director of Digital and Operations, Executive Team, and Members.
• To drive user-centred design, agile delivery, and digital-by-default approaches across EMCCA.
• The resolution of complex, cross-cutting transformation challenges within delegated authority.
• To set the strategic direction for data governance, analytics, and insight under the overall leadership of the Director of Digital and Operations.
• To lead and develop multidisciplinary digital teams which includes solutions architects.
• The management of resources and budgets within agreed delegations.
• To lead strategic engagement with constituent authorities, government departments.
• The management of strategic risks relating to data use, delivery, and ethics.

Your profile:

• Degree level qualification or equivalent professional experience.
• Extensive experience in similar role operating in high-pressure environments, managing competing priorities and navigating complex stakeholder landscapes with professionalism and resilience.
• Proven ability to write and present complex, sensitive, and high-impact reports, tailored to diverse audiences including senior leaders, elected members, and external partners.
• Track record of improving systems and streamlining processes, delivering measurable efficiency gains, enhanced service quality, and alignment with organisational goals.
• Exceptional persuasive, influencing and communication skills with the ability to engage sensitively and tactfully across a wide range of stakeholders, senior leaders, partners including situations involving confidential or sensitive material.
• Advanced analytical capability, able to interpret complex data, identify key issues, and produce high-quality reports, briefings, and strategic documents that inform decision-making.
• Proven leadership and governance experience at a senior level, managing diverse teams and engaging with complex stakeholder groups to deliver strategic objectives.
• Senior leadership experience in digital transformation, data, analytics, or service design.

Closing date: 31st May. NB - this is a politically restricted post as designated under the LGHA and any subsequent amendment. As such, you may not have any active political role either in or outside of work.