IT Manager in Brighton

Are you an experienced IT professional who wants to use your skills to make a real difference? This is an exciting opportunity to lead and develop the IT function at St Catherines Hospice, helping us to deliver safe, efficient and resilient services for patients, families, colleagues and volunteers across our organisation.

We are looking for a proactive, knowledgeable and values-driven IT Manager to oversee the effective day-to-day operation, reliability, performance and security of our IT systems and services. Working closely with senior leaders and colleagues across the hospice, you will play a key role in shaping our IT and data ambitions, developing practical business plans and ensuring our systems support high-quality care and effective decision-making.

In this varied and influential role, you will manage IT service delivery, third-party supplier relationships, budgets, technical support arrangements, cyber security, business continuity and system improvement projects. You will also provide supportive and effective people management for the IT team, setting clear expectations, developing colleagues, encouraging collaboration and leading in a way that reflects our hospice values. You will support colleagues across the organisation to make best use of technology through training, guidance and practical problem-solving.

Main duties of the job:

• Service Delivery
• People Management
• Relationship Management
• Project Management
• Quality and Performance
• Financial Management

At St Catherines Hospice, our work is guided by compassion, commitment and care. As IT Manager, your contribution will help colleagues work more effectively, support the safe use of information and technology, and ultimately make a positive difference to the people and communities we serve.

You will be joining a supportive, purpose-driven organisation where your expertise will be valued and where there is real scope to shape, improve and modernise how technology supports our services.

According to our latest staff survey, 97% of respondents enjoy the work they do.

Benefits: Enjoy 36 days holiday (including bank holidays), an extra wellbeing day for your birthday, up to 8% employer pension contributions, Blue Light Card discounts, discounted on-site meals, career development opportunities, life insurance, and an employee assistance programme.

Job responsibilities:

The IT Manager will lead and manage the Hospices IT function, ensuring that systems and services are secure, reliable, resilient and effective in supporting day-to-day operations. The postholder will work collaboratively across the Hospice to support the development of the IT and Data Strategy and will be responsible for delivering agreed IT plans that enable safe, efficient and future-focused services.

Main Duties and responsibilities:

• Support the development of the IT and Data Strategy, and devise, own and deliver IT business plans that complement and enable the Hospices organisational and departmental strategies.
• Ensure the structure and delivery of IT support services meet organisational needs, maintain service continuity and are underpinned by robust business continuity arrangements.
• Lead and develop an ITIL-aligned IT support function, ensuring queries are effectively prioritised, managed within agreed timescales and responsive to organisational needs.
• Line manage members of the IT team, providing clear direction, support and supervision to ensure priorities are understood and services are delivered effectively.
• Set objectives, monitor performance and provide regular feedback through one-to-one meetings, supervision and the Hospices performance review process.
• Support the development, training and capability of team members, identifying opportunities to strengthen technical knowledge and skills.
• Manage day-to-day staffing matters, including workload allocation, absence, conduct and performance, in line with Hospice policies and procedures.
• Promote a positive, inclusive and solutions-focused team culture that reflects the Hospices values and supports effective collaboration across departments.
• Ensure appropriate cover, escalation and contingency arrangements are in place to maintain continuity of IT support during periods of leave, absence or increased service demand.
• Manage relationships with third-party suppliers and support providers, ensuring services are delivered to agreed standards, represent value for money and support the Hospices current and future needs.
• Act as a business partner to the Senior Management Team, providing proactive advice, performance insight and system expertise to support informed decision-making.
• Develop the skills, knowledge and capability of staff and volunteers involved in IT-related activity, ensuring appropriate support and contingency arrangements are in place.
• Lead the in-house IT training programme, including the development of user guides, training materials and workshops.
• Ensure staff have appropriate IT induction, information, training, tools and resources to perform their roles effectively and efficiently.
• Oversee the implementation of the IT and Data Strategy, working collaboratively with teams across the Hospice to ensure digital systems and information support organisational needs and effective decision-making.
• Coordinate and deliver multiple IT projects and planned ICT programmes within agreed timescales, budgets and quality standards.
• Work with the Information Governance Lead to implement technical controls that reduce the risk of data breaches and support safe information management.
• Support the Information Governance Lead with IT-related requirements that contribute to wider regulatory compliance, governance and assurance, including data protection, information security and organisational risk management.
• Work collaboratively across departments to support the implementation and effective use of care-focused IT applications.
• Collate, analyse and present IT performance information and data measures for relevant stakeholders.
• Ensure effective procedures are in place to maintain an accurate ICT asset register, safeguard equipment and manage the appropriate disposal of redundant assets.
• Ensure IT systems remain secure, reliable and resilient, including oversight of routine maintenance, updates, backups, equipment replacement and out-of-hours support arrangements.
• Oversee routine IT technical tasks, ensuring software is appropriately supported and hardware remains fit for purpose.
• Ensure disaster recovery arrangements, including backups, are in place, regularly tested and aligned with wider business continuity plans.
• Manage service requests, issues and complaints promptly and effectively in line with agreed procedures and timescales.
• Take ownership of relevant IT policies and procedures, ensuring they are regularly reviewed, updated and communicated to colleagues.
• Identify and manage key ICT risks in line with the Hospices risk management framework, ensuring appropriate controls are in place to support service continuity.
• Prepare and manage the annual IT budget, taking account of service trends, previous performance, future requirements and agreed strategic priorities.
• Hold responsibility for monitoring ICT contracts, repairs and equipment replacement costs, ensuring value for money is achieved and variances are identified and explained.
• Lead procurement activity for IT systems, equipment and services, including seeking tenders and negotiating with suppliers to secure cost-effective solutions.
• Undertake any other reasonable duties requested by the line manager or Senior Leadership Team.

Volunteers: The Hospice has the advantage of being supported by a number of volunteers. If a volunteer is assigned to assist you at any time, you will still retain responsibility for the requirements of this job in terms of accuracy, efficiency and standards of completion. You will also ensure good communication and be mindful of your responsibility towards that volunteer in terms of Health and Safety.

Confidentiality: You should be aware of the confidential nature of the Hospice environment and/or your role. Any matters of a confidential nature, relating to patients, carers, relatives, staff or volunteers must not be divulged to any unauthorised person.

Data protection: You should make yourself aware of the requirements of the Data Protection Act and follow local codes of practice to ensure appropriate action is taken to safeguard confidential information.

Person Specification:

Experience:

• Essential: Experience of successfully leading and developing an IT function.
• Detailed knowledge and experience of routine IT technical support including fault identification, network repairs and server maintenance.
• Experience of successful budget management.
• Evidence of supporting and implementing organisational strategy including delivering ICT business plans and training programmes.
• Management experience, with the ability to lead, motivate, delegate appropriately and build effective working relationships with team members, colleagues and external contractors.
• Experience of undertaking system implementations within tight deadlines.
• Experience of communicating/ disseminating information to a broad range of stakeholders.
• Experience of line managing, supporting and developing a team, including setting objectives, managing performance, providing regular feedback and supporting staff wellbeing.

Desirable:

• Knowledge of charity-specific ICT applications, including fundraising databases, CRM platforms, retail till systems and healthcare information systems (i.e. SystmOne).
• Knowledge of clinical compliance and regulatory issues that can impact on the use of ICT within healthcare environments.
• Experience of working within a programme management environment.
• Experience of contributing to an overarching IT strategy - with experience in the identification and procurement of new services.

Key Skills and Abilities:

Essential:

• Ability to present complex models for change and project plans to the SMT and Board of Trustees.
• Self-motivated, pro-active and innovative with a positive outlook embracing change.
• Ability to manage complex projects from inception to completion in a timely and impactful manner.
• Collaborative and proactive, with the ability to influence, engage and support colleagues through change.
• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to explain technical information clearly and appropriately to staff, volunteers, senior leaders and external partners.

Desirable:

• Commitment to personal and professional development.
• An understanding of and demonstrable commitment to the Hospices Values as a framework for decisions, actions and behaviours.
• Understanding and commitment to the aims of Equality, Diversity and Inclusion.
• Appreciation of confidentiality.
• As this role involves supporting multiple sites, you will need a full, clean driving licence and access to a car for work purposes.
• Willing and able to work flexibly, including participating in an on-call rota and responding outside office hours where required to support appropriate business continuity.

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Qualifications:

Essential:

• A degree level qualification or relevant ICT management experience.

Desirable:

• Microsoft-certified IT qualifications.