At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the Automation and AI Team to transform public services with innovative digital solutions.
- Company: Join Sheffield City Council on an exciting digital transformation journey.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, flexible working options, generous holiday entitlement, and a commitment to diversity.
- Other info: Great career growth opportunities in a supportive and inclusive environment.
- Why this job: Shape the future of digital public services and make a real impact in your community.
- Qualifications: Strong leadership skills and experience with Power Platform technologies.
The predicted salary is between 48738 - 53051 £ per year.
Location: Sheffield
Salary: 48,738 - 53,051 per year
Employment: Full time
Category: Director Of IT
Posted: 2026-10-17
Valid to: 2026-11-05
Employer: Sheffield City Council
Sheffield City Council is on an exciting digital transformation journey, transforming how we deliver services through innovative digital solutions, automation and emerging technologies. As we continue to modernise and improve services for our residents, this is an excellent opportunity to play a key role in shaping the future of digital public services.
The postholder will provide technical and operational leadership to the Automation and AI Team, delivering solutions that improve business processes, reduce manual activity, enhance customer and employee experiences, and support the Council's wider digital transformation ambitions. The team is responsible for developing and maintaining automation, digital services and AI-enabled solutions using Microsoft Power Platform technologies, including Power Apps, Power Automate, Copilot Agents, Copilot Studio, Dataverse and associated Microsoft 365 integrations.
The role leads the identification, assessment and delivery of automation and AI opportunities, including proof of concepts, pilot activities and business readiness assessments, ensuring solutions are secure, scalable, sustainable and aligned to organisational priorities. Working collaboratively with technical colleagues, suppliers and business stakeholders, the postholder provides strategic direction, specialist advice and operational oversight to support the successful delivery, governance and adoption of automation and AI capabilities across the Council.
Key Responsibilities
- Leads the strategic planning, prioritisation and delivery of automation and agentic initiatives, ensuring resources are effectively allocated across projects, support activities and continuous improvement programmes.
- Design, develop, support and improve Power Platform solutions, automated workflows, digital services and AI-enabled service.
- Provides expert advice on automation technologies, systems integration, governance and service improvement.
- The role ensures that solutions are reliable, scalable, accessible and aligned with security, infrastructure, information governance and technical design requirements.
- Develops productive relationships with service areas, suppliers and stakeholders to identify automation opportunities.
- Drive digital transformation and maximise the value and benefits realised from automation investments.
- Coordinates the delivery of solutions through developers, technical specialists and suppliers, managing work pipelines, priorities, risks, dependencies and benefits.
- Ensure projects are delivered in accordance with agreed standards, governance requirements and organisational priorities.
- Ensure all initiatives comply with governance frameworks, information governance requirements, security standards, accessibility obligations and Responsible AI principles, preparing documentation and supporting progression through appropriate approval and assurance processes.
Skills and knowledge we are looking for
- Strong leadership and people management skills, including coaching, mentoring, performance development and building a high-performing technical team.
- Ability to develop and communicate a clear vision for automation, low-code and AI services aligned to organisational priorities.
- Strong understanding of Power Platform, Power Apps, Power Automate, Dataverse and Copilot Studio to provide effective technical oversight and decision-making.
- Experience establishing and enforcing governance, standards, security controls and best practice across Power Platform and AI solutions.
- Ability to manage demand, prioritisation and resource planning, balancing business need, risk, capacity and strategic value.
- Strong stakeholder management skills, building relationships with senior leaders, service areas, suppliers and technical teams.
- Experience delivering complex digital, automation and AI projects, ensuring solutions are delivered on time, within budget and meet business outcomes.
- Strong understanding of information governance, GDPR, accessibility, cyber security and responsible AI principles.
- Ability to identify opportunities for service transformation through automation, AI and low-code technologies, translating business challenges into digital solutions.
- Experience managing operational support, service performance, risk, supplier relationships and continuous improvement for business-critical solutions.
For further discussion about this opportunity, please e-mail Avril Grant or Alice Johnson to arrange an informal discussion: Avril.Grant@sheffield.gov.uk or Alice.Johnson@sheffield.gov.uk.
We are investing in our workforce and are promoting opportunities to our under-represented groups. We value equality, diversity and inclusion and are focused on increasing the diversity of our workforce, particularly the number of Black, Asian, Minority Ethnic, Disabled and LGBTQ+ people, so that our teams reflect the communities in the city we serve. We are also supporting staff with unpaid caring responsibilities to work flexibly.
It is a great time to join us and we welcome your application.
Under the Guaranteed Interview scheme, applicants who are disabled, care leavers, or armed forces veterans will be guaranteed an interview if they meet the essential criteria and indicate their eligibility on the application form. Sometimes, if lots of people apply, we might not be able to interview everyone who qualifies for the Guarantee. In these cases, we’ll interview the candidates who best meet the essential criteria for the job.
Full-time employees work 37 hours for 52 weeks of the year and we offer a generous holiday entitlement. We are open to discussions about a wide range of flexible working opportunities which benefit you and the Council, including reduced hour contracts, working part time or as a job share.
If you are appointed to this role, your starting salary will be at the bottom of the grade. If you provide payslip evidence that your basic pay is greater than the bottom of the grade, we will consider starting you at the point of minimum advantage within the grade. Equality of pay is extremely important to us. All roles at Sheffield City Council are going through an evaluation process which may result in changes to some pay arrangements from 2026.
We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all individuals, ensuring a safe and supportive environment for everyone and where appropriate to the role the successful applicant will be required to undertake relevant safeguarding checks.
Information Systems Team Manager Automation and AI in London employer: Sheffield City Council
Join us in Sheffield, a vibrant city dedicated to fostering inclusion and support for every child and young person. As an Assistant Manager, you will be part of a compassionate team that values diversity and offers flexible working arrangements, generous holiday entitlements, and opportunities for professional growth. Together, we can make a meaningful impact in our communities and ensure that every child feels valued and empowered to thrive.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Information Systems Team Manager Automation and AI in London
✨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 Sheffield City 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 Sheffield City 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 Sheffield City Council!
✨Direct Apply to Sheffield City Council
Let's not forget to apply directly through the Sheffield City 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 Information Systems Team Manager Automation and AI in London
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 Sheffield City 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 Sheffield City 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 Sheffield City 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.
