Head of ICT and Business Support

Responsible to: Director of Corporate Resources

Starting salary: £77,407 per annum

Contract details: Permanent and full-time

London Councils operates in a hybrid working environment, combining remote and office-based working. Attendance at our office will normally be required for part of the working week, although the pattern may vary according to business needs, meetings and organisational priorities.

Application deadline: 11:59pm on 16 August 2026

Interviews: Anticipated to take place during the week commencing 31 August 2026

London Councils is the collective of London's 32 boroughs and the City of London Corporation. Working together, we help boroughs tackle shared challenges, influence policy, and improve outcomes for Londoners. Through collaboration, partnership and service delivery, we support local government to make London a better place to live, work and visit.

We are seeking a Head of ICT and Business Support to lead services that are fundamental to the effective running of our organisation. This is an important leadership role with responsibility for shaping and delivering our approach to digital technology, cyber security, business support and workplace services. The role sits at the heart of the organisation and works closely with the Corporate Management Team to ensure that our technology, systems and office environment support the delivery of our strategic objectives.

The postholder will lead the development of our ICT and Digital Strategy, oversee key supplier relationships and contracts, and ensure that colleagues have access to reliable, secure and effective digital tools. The role also leads our Business Support function, ensuring our offices, administrative services and workplace environment enable teams across London Councils to perform at their best.

Main Responsibilities

• You will provide strategic leadership across ICT, digital services, cyber security, facilities management and business support.
• You will oversee the successful delivery of services that support every part of the organisation, ensuring they remain efficient, responsive and aligned with organisational needs.
• A key aspect of the role will be managing relationships with external providers, including the service level agreement for ICT services.
• You will ensure contracts deliver high-quality outcomes, value for money and continuous improvement.
• You will also lead work to strengthen digital capability across the organisation, supporting colleagues to make effective use of technology and helping identify opportunities for innovation and improved ways of working.
• The role has responsibility for managing office accommodation and facilities, maintaining a safe, sustainable and welcoming working environment, and ensuring compliance with relevant health and safety requirements.
• You will also lead business continuity and disaster recovery planning, helping to ensure organisational resilience and preparedness.
• Alongside these responsibilities, you will manage budgets, support procurement activity, provide strategic advice to senior leaders, and lead a team delivering ICT and business support services across London Councils.

This is a politically restricted post, under Section 2 of the Local Government and Housing Act 1989.

The Ideal Candidate

We are looking for someone who can bring strategic leadership and practical experience to a broad and varied portfolio of responsibilities. You will have experience of leading ICT, digital or technology services and will understand how technology can support organisational priorities and improve service delivery. You will be comfortable working across both strategic and operational issues, with the ability to translate business needs into practical solutions. You will have knowledge of Microsoft 365 and modern digital workplace technologies, together with an understanding of cyber security, service management and digital governance. Experience of managing contracts, budgets, procurement activity and external suppliers will also be important. The role requires someone who can build strong working relationships with colleagues, partners and suppliers. You will be able to communicate complex information clearly, provide confident advice to senior stakeholders and lead teams through change and continuous improvement. Experience of facilities management, business support services, workplace operations or similar corporate services would be valuable. We welcome applications from candidates who have developed relevant skills and experience in a range of sectors and settings.

About The Company

London Councils brings together London's local authorities to make the case for local government, deliver shared services and support collaboration across the capital. We work on issues that matter to London's communities and help boroughs achieve more by working together. Our work is guided by three core values: Trust through Collaboration, Rooted in Respect, and Driven by Purpose. These values shape how we work with each other, our members and our partners, and they underpin our commitment to creating an inclusive and supportive working environment.

Our Recruitment Approach

The application process involves answering a small number of application questions aligned to the essential criteria for the role. All applications will be processed using a blind sifting method. This means that personal identifying details will be removed to ensure fair and unbiased shortlisting of applications. The panel sees only the anonymised generated CV that Tribepad builds from the Education and Employment History sections of the application form. Uploading a personal CV is optional and only helps auto-populate these sections - it does not replace completing them. Please ensure these sections are fully completed. If they’re left blank, key information won’t appear in the anonymised pack and fair review becomes harder. Your full details and original CV are not shared with the panel until after the shortlist is agreed and you are invited to interview. We are committed to equal opportunities and encourage applications from all backgrounds. Reasonable adjustments will be made to support candidates during the recruitment process.

Location: 12 Arthur Street, London, EC4R 9AB