At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead strategic technology initiatives to transform policing and enhance operational excellence.
- Company: Join Essex Police and Kent Police, committed to innovation and public service.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, flexible working, and a commitment to diversity and inclusion.
- Other info: Opportunity for career growth in a supportive and inclusive environment.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on policing through technology and inspire high-performing teams.
- Qualifications: Significant leadership experience in tech, with a focus on collaboration and user-centred services.
The predicted salary is between 61816 - 75552 £ per year.
Location of Role: Northfleet
Advert Closing Date: 01/10/2026
Starting Salary: £78,429 (pro-rata for part-time vacancies)
Part/Full Time: Full Time
Contract Type: Permanent
Working Pattern: Mon-Fri
Weekend/Evening Working: No
We are looking for an accomplished and forward-thinking technology leader to join our IT Senior Management Team as Head of IT Solutions. This is a highly influential role, leading the software development, application management and solutions support teams responsible for an estate of more than 500 solutions used by over 14,000 officers and staff across Kent Police and Essex Police.
As Head of IT Solutions, you will provide strategic direction and leadership across the full solution lifecycle—from development and implementation through to management, support, improvement and retirement. You will ensure that critical operational and organisational systems remain functionally fit, performant, secure, resilient and centred on the needs of the people who use them.
You will be the Senior IT Lead for several major programmes that will shape the future of policing across both forces, initially including:
- Intelligent and Strategic Automation - using automation and artificial intelligence responsibly to improve services, productivity and operational outcomes.
- Enterprise Resource Management - enabling modern, efficient and integrated corporate services.
- Data Transformation - helping the forces treat data as a strategic asset and deliver trusted insights for operational and organisational decision-making.
- A broad portfolio of other operational and organisational enabling solutions that underpin effective policing every day.
As a member of the IT Senior Management Team, you will contribute to the day-to-day running and future direction of the department. You will influence technical strategy, investment and priorities; work closely with senior force stakeholders, partners and suppliers; and ensure that solutions align with local, regional and national policing requirements. You will lead, support and inspire colleagues within your immediate remit and across the wider IT department. You will create an environment in which people can perform at their best, develop their skills and work collaboratively to deliver reliable services and meaningful change.
The role is central to delivering the forces' agreed Digital (IT) Strategy and its aim to empower Kent Police and Essex Police through effective, user-centred, performant and secure technology that drives innovation, enhances operational excellence and transforms policing for the future. You will turn this ambition into practical outcomes by ensuring that our solutions provide the right functionality, strong performance and security, value for money and the best possible user experience.
What you will bring:
- Significant senior leadership experience within a complex, technology-enabled organisation.
- Proven ability to engage, influence and negotiate with senior stakeholders, suppliers and partners, translating complex technical issues into clear business outcomes and recommendations.
- Experience of leading substantial technology portfolios and strategic transformation programmes.
- The ability to translate organisational priorities into clear technology direction and deliverable outcomes.
- A strong understanding of software development, application management, service support and modern delivery practices.
- Confidence in managing suppliers, risk, resources and competing priorities.
- A collaborative and inclusive leadership style, with the ability to build trusted relationships and inspire high-performing teams.
- A clear commitment to secure, resilient, user-centred services and continuous improvement.
- A commitment to public service values, the Police Code of Ethics and creating an inclusive working environment, promoting fairness, respect, diversity and equality in decision-making, leadership and service delivery.
This is an opportunity to lead technology services of genuine scale and public value. Your leadership will directly support officers and staff, strengthen operational capability and help transform policing for the future. If you are motivated by complex challenges, purposeful innovation, can bring value and enthusiasm to the role and want an opportunity to make a lasting difference, we would welcome your application.
We offer an inclusive and flexible working environment, you will have significant autonomy across your working day in terms of location, working to the forces' home based working topologies and travelling to your teams across both counties and wider as your role requires.
For any questions, please contact Fiona Brown (CIO) Fiona.brown@kent.police.uk
Essex Police is a Disability Confident Leader, we have subjected our Disability Confident self‑assessment to external challenge and validation and are taking an active leadership role in encouraging and helping other employers on their journey to becoming Disability Confident.
Diversity, Equality and Inclusion are central to the values of our organisation. At Essex Police we value and embrace the unique experiences, identities and abilities that each of us bring to our roles. We strive to empower everyone to bring their authentic self openly and safely to work. Through the dedicated commitment of our support networks, DE&I team and wider HR departments, we are on a journey to embed our DE&I commitments, ensuring Essex Police is an employer of choice; where everyone feels included.
Essex Police and Kent Police are an equal opportunities employer. Communications may be recorded for monitoring purposes. If you're not from the UK, you must be a resident in the UK and have lived here continuously for the last three years. You must also be free from restrictions with indefinite leave to remain. If you're from the UK you must have lived here continuously for the last three years. This doesn't apply to those serving abroad in the British Armed Forces. Depending on your current vetting level and security clearances, you may be required to complete additional vetting information during the recruitment process.
Head of IT Solution Delivery in Northfleet employer: Essex & Kent Police
Kent Police is an exceptional employer, offering a supportive work culture that values diversity and inclusion while providing meaningful opportunities for professional growth within the legal field. Located in Maidstone, employees benefit from a competitive salary structure with incremental increases, a commitment to work-life balance, and the chance to make a significant impact on the community through their legal expertise. Join us to be part of a dedicated team that prioritises the protection of the Force's reputation and the delivery of high-quality legal services.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of IT Solution Delivery in Northfleet
✨Join the IT Consultancy Buzz
Get involved in local or virtual IT consultancy meetups and forums. This is where we can rub shoulders with industry professionals, get insights into what Essex & Kent Police values, and even spot unadvertised opportunities. Don't miss out on these chances to make a name for ourselves in the IT world!
✨Show Off Your Skills
Create a personal project or case study relevant to the challenges Essex & Kent Police might face. Use platforms like GitHub or Medium to share your findings. This not only demonstrates our consulting skills but shows a proactive attitude, making us stand out from the crowd when applying for that full-time gig.
✨Leverage LinkedIn for Connections
Follow and engage with the relevant thought leaders and influencers in IT consultancy on LinkedIn. Share insightful content and join discussions to gain visibility. A well-placed comment or shared article could catch the attention of someone at Essex & Kent Police!
✨Direct Apply to Essex & Kent Police
Let's not forget to apply directly through the Essex & Kent Police website! Tailor your application to showcase our understanding of their consulting style and how we can contribute to their projects. A personalised approach can make a huge difference in landing that full-time position!
We think you need these skills to ace Head of IT Solution Delivery in Northfleet
Some tips for your application 🫡
Showcase Your Problem-Solving Skills:In IT consulting, it's all about problem-solving, so make sure your CV highlights your analytical skills and any relevant projects you've tackled. Mention specific technologies or methodologies you've used to resolve issues or improve processes; this shows you can think critically and deliver results, which is vital for us at Essex & Kent Police.
Highlight Relevant Certifications:Certifications like ITIL, PMP, or even specific tech stack qualifications can really make you stand out. Make sure to include these in your CV, as they not only demonstrate your expertise but also your commitment to staying current in the field. We love seeing candidates who are proactive about their professional development!
Tailor Your Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to connect personally with us at Essex & Kent Police. Share stories about your experiences in IT consulting, and how they shaped your desire to join our team. Mention why you’re excited about this particular role, and how you see yourself contributing to our projects.
Keep It Clear and Concise:We're all busy, so make sure your application is easy to read. Use bullet points for key achievements, and don’t overload us with jargon. A clean, professional layout goes a long way. Remember, the clearer your application, the more likely we are to invite you in for an interview!
How to prepare for a job interview at Essex & Kent Police
✨Brush Up on Your Technical Skills
For an IT consulting role, be ready to demonstrate your technical prowess. You might face questions on systems integration, cloud technologies, or even troubleshooting specific software. If you have experience with tools like AWS, Azure, or even specific programming languages, make sure you can talk about them fluently.
✨Showcase Your Problem-Solving Approach
IT consulting is all about solving problems for clients. Think about how you can illustrate your approach to a past challenge using the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result). It's a great way to show how you tackle complex issues and come up with effective solutions.
✨Know the Business Impact of IT Solutions
When discussing your experiences, focus not just on the tech solutions you implemented, but also on their business impact. Employers want to see that you can connect IT with organisational goals. Prep examples that highlight how your tech contributions improved efficiency or reduced costs for past clients or projects.
✨Prepare for Behavioural Questions
Since IT consulting often involves teamwork and client interactions, expect behavioural questions that assess your interpersonal skills. Be prepared with examples that demonstrate your adaptability, communication skills, and how you handle client feedback. Before the interview, think of situations where you worked closely with clients to create effective IT strategies or changes.
