Assistant Director - Digital Transformation and Innovation in Oldham

To provide strategic leadership for the council's digital transformation and innovation agenda, reporting directly to the Director of Digital. This role will have overall responsibility for leading the adoption of artificial intelligence (AI), automation (RPA, low-code/no-code platforms), process digitisation, user-centred design and emerging technologies to improve service efficiency, deliver significant and sustainable financial savings and enhance outcomes for residents.

Responsibilities

• Lead the development and delivery of the council's Digital Transformation Strategy and associated roadmaps, setting the agenda through strong leadership and resource management.
• Provide strategic oversight of applications, project delivery, and the innovation pipeline, ensuring user-centric digital solutions aligned with council priorities.
• Manage transformation budgets effectively, ensuring compliance with governance and risk frameworks, and promote equality, diversity, and inclusion.
• Build relationships with partners to drive public service reform and deliver efficiencies through innovative digital services.
• Lead a multi-disciplinary team, fostering high performance, innovation, and continuous professional development.

Qualifications

• Proven experience in strategic leadership of digital transformation, including AI, automation, and emerging technologies.
• Strong ability to manage budgets, projects, and teams to deliver efficiency and financial savings.
• Expertise in governance, risk management, and compliance with standards such as WCAG, UK GDPR, and cyber-security.

Values and Behaviours

We want Oldham to have vibrant, safe neighbourhoods where people are proud to live with opportunities for healthier, more fulfilled lives; and a sustainable, thriving economy. As we look to the future, the challenges may be significant, but so are the opportunities. We have identified three missions with our residents and partners, focusing on what will deliver the biggest impact:

• A Great Place to Live
• Healthier, Happier Lives
• Green and Growing

We have translated these values into five behaviours which guide our actions and are the standards we hold ourselves to, day in and day out:

• Work with a resident focus
• Support local leaders
• Committed to the borough
• Delivery high performance
• Take ownership and drive change

Benefits Package

• 25 days annual leave which increases after 5 and 10-years service
• The option to purchase additional annual leave.
• An attractive LGPS benefit pension scheme with the option to make shared cost additional voluntary contributions.
• Discounted gym membership with Oldham Active.
• Staff discount scheme for shopping, entertainment, eating-out, eating-in, travel, motoring and more.
• Salary sacrifice scheme for home and electronics and Cycle to Work.
• Wellbeing support, including a Mental Health First Aider network and an Employment Assistance Programme that provides 24 hours access to advice and support.
• Staff recognition and celebration events.
• Peer support groups

Inclusive Recruitment

We work closely with employees to help them work at their best, including making adjustments such as flexible working, describing available working patterns, providing equipment or making changes to the workplace. If you’re an applicant with disabilities, aged 24 or under and have previously been in or currently in care, a carer, someone who has served in the Armed Forces, or you’ve participated in the GM Elevate Programme, and you meet the essential criteria of the role, you are guaranteed to reach the first stage of assessment under our Guaranteed Assessment Scheme.

Data and Privacy

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Important Information

Please note that should a vacancy that has been released for internal or external recruitment be deemed suitable for a current employee at risk of redundancy, it can be pulled back at any point, up to the post being formally offered to a candidate who is not at risk of redundancy.