Head of Digital – Braintree District Council

Head of Digital – Braintree District Council

Braintree Full-Time 81618 - 81618 £ / year (est.) Home office (partial)
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At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead transformative digital initiatives and enhance public services at Braintree District Council.
  • Company: Join an ambitious and dynamic council in the heart of East England.
  • Benefits: Enjoy flexible working, a local government pension, and extensive health programmes.
  • Other info: Be part of a high-performing team driving significant change in local government.
  • Why this job: Make a real impact on community change while shaping the future of public services.
  • Qualifications: Proven technology leader with experience in managing IT projects and teams.

The predicted salary is between 81618 - 81618 £ per year.

Fixed Term, Full Time

£74,430 to £81,618 per annum

Location: Braintree

Closing Date: 3rd August 2026

With local government reorganisation progressing at pace, Braintree District Council are seeking an experienced IT professional to lead the authority’s digital function and support the transition to the new North East Essex unitary authority. This is a unique opportunity to take the lead on transformative digital initiatives, drive and deliver meaningful change across the organisation, and play a key role in shaping the future of public services.

Leading an experienced team of digital professionals, you will deliver a robust, efficient, and secure technology environment which utilises technology to enhance business performance. As a senior leader, you will work closely with stakeholders across the organisation to align technology initiatives with wider business objectives, driving innovation and continuous improvement. Playing a pivotal role in identifying opportunities to streamline processes, improve operational efficiency and leverage data to support informed decision‑making.

Our values are integral to who we are at Braintree, they are the guiding principles, informing how we work together, support each other and make decisions and we need our new Head of Digital to embody these when providing clear, visible and motivational leadership across the ICT service, where our people are encouraged to contribute to the development of service improvements. You must be a strong role model and lead a positive and forward‑thinking culture, responsive to change, performance driven and customer focused.

As a proven technology leader with a collaborative style and great communication skills, your experience of leading change, managing third‑party suppliers and delivering complex IT projects will be highly advantageous. This is an outstanding opportunity for an accomplished leader in IT to join a high performing Council which is heading into the most significant change project it has seen.

Why choose Braintree District Council? Braintree is an ambitious and dynamic Council and is becoming one of the fastest growing Districts in the East of England with three growing towns, London just 45 minutes away and the District located directly between the international transport centres of Stansted Airport and Harwich and Felixstowe International Ports. We have a deserved track record for delivering and a strong reputation within the business community. Braintree District Council is a great place to work. We pride ourselves on our creative and innovative approach, which is led by our employees, and are committed to having an engaged workforce who understand our strategy and how they can help deliver it. Our people see the difference they make and how the work they do actively contributes to and encourages positive change in the local community.

We also offer some great benefits, including:

  • Flexible working
  • Hybrid working arrangements are available in this role (home/office based with a minimum of 2-3 office days per week, plus in person meetings as the role requires subject to business needs, which may include evening meetings)
  • Local government pension scheme
  • Learning and development for all employees
  • Employee discounts at local businesses
  • Employee recognition schemes
  • Extensive health and wellbeing programmes, including discounted gym membership

What should you do next? If you are interested in finding out more about this role, please contact Thea Towers, Specialist Recruitment Consultant on 0333 013 8008 or at thea.towers@essex.gov.uk, we would love to hear from you. Please Note – Essex County Council is advertising this role on behalf of Braintree District Council and if successful you will be employed by Braintree District Council.

Head of Digital – Braintree District Council employer: Kirklees Metropolitan Council

Kirklees Metropolitan Council is an excellent employer, offering a supportive and flexible work environment for Childcare Lawyers in Northallerton. With hybrid working options and a strong commitment to employee growth, the council fosters a culture of collaboration and professional development, making it an ideal place for those passionate about making a meaningful impact in children's services.

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Contact Details:

Kirklees Metropolitan Council Recruitment Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land Head of Digital – Braintree District Council

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 Kirklees Metropolitan Council 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 Kirklees Metropolitan Council 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 Kirklees Metropolitan Council!

Direct Apply to Kirklees Metropolitan Council

Let's not forget to apply directly through the Kirklees Metropolitan Council 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 Digital – Braintree District Council

Communication Skills
Problem-Solving Skills
Attention to Detail
Data Engineering
SQL
Python
ETL/ELT Processes

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 Kirklees Metropolitan Council.

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 Kirklees Metropolitan Council. 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 Kirklees Metropolitan Council

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.