Head of Digital Platforms in Sheffield

This is a senior leadership opportunity to shape and lead the future of digital platforms, enterprise systems, data and technology architecture across South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority. As Head of Digital Platforms, you'll operate at the heart of SYMCA's digital transformation, defining how technology, platforms and data enable organisational change, improve decision-making and support better outcomes for the people and communities of South Yorkshire.

With increasing devolved responsibilities, major investment programmes and a growing reliance on technology, data and digital services, we are building the capabilities needed to support the organisation for the future. From ERP and CRM transformation through to enterprise data platforms, integration services and emerging technologies such as AI, you'll play a central role in creating a modern, connected and data‑driven organisation.

This is not simply about managing systems. It's about setting the strategic direction for enterprise platforms, data and technology, creating the roadmap for the future and establishing the architecture, governance and standards that enable organisational transformation at scale.

As Head of Digital Platforms, you will provide strategic leadership and enterprise‑wide accountability for SYMCA's digital platforms, enterprise applications, data services and technology architecture. You will define, own and deliver the organisation's Platform Strategy, ensuring technology investment supports organisational priorities and provides a strong foundation for future growth.

Sitting at the centre of key decision‑making, you will influence how platforms, systems and data are designed, integrated and governed across the organisation. A key part of the role will be to provide strategic oversight of SYMCA's major enterprise applications and digital platforms, ensuring they are not treated as standalone systems but as strategic platforms that enable organisational change.

Working alongside business owners, technology teams and senior leaders, you will ensure every major platform has a clear purpose, defined roadmap, effective governance, robust architecture, agreed data and integration standards and a measurable contribution to organisational outcomes.

This role goes beyond technology delivery. You will be a trusted advisor to senior leaders, helping shape investment decisions, organisational transformation and the future direction of digital, data and technology across the organisation.

In this role, you will:

• Define, own and evolve the organisation wide Platform Strategy, ensuring enterprise platforms directly support organisational priorities, transformation and long‑term outcomes.
• Provide strategic oversight of SYMCA's major enterprise platforms, including ERP, CRM, enterprise data platforms, integration services and other core applications that enable organisational change.
• Establish and mature enterprise architecture, platform governance, application strategy and technology standards across the organisation.
• Work with business owners and senior leaders to ensure every strategic platform has clear ownership, a defined roadmap, appropriate governance, agreed architecture principles, integration standards and measurable business outcomes.
• Drive platform modernisation, reducing technical debt whilst creating secure, resilient and scalable digital capabilities that support future organisational needs.
• Act as a trusted advisor to senior leaders and governance boards, ensuring technology, data and digital platforms are central to strategic decision‑making.
• Lead multidisciplinary teams across digital platforms, data engineering, business intelligence, application development and integration services, creating a culture of innovation, accountability and continuous improvement.
• Shape how emerging technologies such as AI, automation and advanced analytics are adopted to improve organisational capability and public value.
• Work collaboratively across organisational boundaries to deliver joined‑up technology, data and digital outcomes.

About you:

You're a strategic and forward‑thinking leader who can balance long‑term vision with practical delivery. You are comfortable operating at senior levels, influencing decision‑making and translating organisational ambition into technology outcomes. You understand that platforms are more than technology. They are business capabilities that enable organisational change, improve services and create better outcomes.

You build strong relationships, create clarity in complex environments and are passionate about using technology, data and digital capabilities to transform organisations. You'll thrive in this role if you:

• Can define and communicate a compelling vision for enterprise platforms and digital capability.
• Can develop platform strategies, roadmaps and technology architectures that support organisational priorities.
• Are confident influencing and engaging senior stakeholders across organisational and technical boundaries.
• Can balance innovation, transformation and operational resilience.
• Are motivated by creating lasting organisational impact through technology, data and digital services.

What sets you apart:

You think beyond individual systems and understand how enterprise platforms, data and technology combine to deliver organisational capability. You focus on outcomes rather than technology for technology's sake. You can translate strategy into practical roadmaps, architecture and delivery. You understand how platforms, data, governance and integration work together to support modern organisations. You are passionate about developing people, capability and digital maturity. You can lead confidently through complexity and help shape the future of one of the UK's most ambitious Combined Authorities.

Benefits:

All colleagues have access to the Local Government Pension Scheme and the chance to be part of an organisation where you can really make a difference. Located in Sheffield City Centre, we are well‑placed for transport links and encourage employees to take advantage of the active travel facilities. Work/life balance is extremely important to us here at SYMCA with our recognised family/friendly policies, genuine work flexibility, recognition, and shared success.

In addition to the above, some of benefits include:

• Continuous Employment – If you are currently employed by a Local Government employer, or any other employer under the Redundancy Modification Scheme, and do not have a break in service, your length of service can be transferred upon starting. This will apply to entitlement calculations including annual leave, maternity leave and enhanced sick pay.
• Enhanced Holiday Entitlement – From 28 to 36 days annual leave entitlement (depending on length of service) plus bank holidays. Pro‑ra for part time colleagues.
• Annual Leave Purchase Scheme – The ability to purchase up to a further 15 days per year in addition to your normal annual leave.
• Hybrid working – Our offices are a space where we come together and collaborate. Most of our roles are offered on a hybrid basis with the exception of some support roles being onsite full time. Please note, unless specified within the job advert, we cannot accommodate remote working contracts.
• Flexible Hours Scheme – Most roles within SYMCA work under the Flexi‑Scheme which allows office‑based employees’ flexibility and discretion over their working hours. Under the scheme employees can accrue a defined amount of credit or debit of working hours, and to take time‑off in the form of Flexi‑Leave or banked Annual Leave.
• Rewarding You – Reducing everyday expenses through discounts, benefits, financial advice, wellbeing solutions and more with Reward Gateway and Cycle‑to‑Work schemes.
• Training on the job – Support with upskilling skills through on‑the‑job training and qualifications.
• Professional Membership Fees – Where membership to Professional bodies is applicable to your role, SYMCA will reimburse your membership fees where applicable and following approval by Line Management.

Diversity at South Yorkshire Combined Mayoral Authority:

Our workforce is made up of a diverse community, where we all belong and feel part of something bigger. We are committed to equality of opportunity and welcome applications from individuals, regardless of age, gender, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, socio‑economic background, religion and/or belief. All employees are eligible to request Flexible Working arrangements from day one of employment as such all requests will be considered subject to operation requirements. Where candidates share disabilities within the application process, if they demonstrate that they meet all essential criteria from the Role Profile within their application, they will automatically be invited to interview. If you require any reasonable adjustments throughout the process, please contact or include within your application form detailing the adjustment and how it will assist in managing any barriers.