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Digital and IT Operations Lead
| Posting date: | 19 March 2025 |
|---|---|
| Salary: | £68,475 to £84,917 per year |
| Hours: | Full time |
| Closing date: | 02 April 2025 |
| Location: | Reading, Berkshire |
| Remote working: | Hybrid - work remotely up to 2 days per week |
| Company: | Reading Borough Council |
| Job type: | Permanent |
| Job reference: | RES0627 |
Summary
The Digital and IT service within Reading Borough council is a very forward-looking Digital Service leading the in regards delivery tools and techniques available to customers and employees. We are proud of our accessibility standards and we have a great ambition to do even more through the introduction of world class standard systems, artificial intelligence and robotics.
Our service is one of the most critical roles that enables the council function and we take pride in the quality of digital and IT service delivery both internally and through our managed service suppliers. In digital and IT, we have responsibility for the council’s web estate, software, hardware, application support, development, telephony, networks and cyber security.
We seek the best talent from the widest pool of people as diversity and inclusion is the key to our success. Reading Borough Council is a Disability Confident Employer and is committed to the recruitment and continued employment of people with disabilities.
We are open to flexible working patterns and can provide a hybrid working environment which utilises the best of both worlds with a mix of office working in central Reading and homeworking according to the needs of the Service.
About the role
This role is a crucial for the next phase of our digital journey in Reading as a borough. The role will be central in our ambitious to take the lead in compliance, digital innovation, customer and employee experience. This role will embody the essence of a digital culture and will lead strategies and techniques to make this happen within the council and across borough communities.
This role is crucial in leading the day to day operations of digital and IT applications and other infrastructure, ensuring applications are compliant, and service delivery meets defined expectations. As part of the intelligent client function, this role will be key in relating with third party service delivery managers to provide the best quality of service for staff to function optimally.
You will ensure efficient and effective operational coordination, integration and performance management of IT Services contracts, lead application support, and digital upskilling and training practices across the council. You will be accountable for the application upgrade roadmap to ensure all applications on our estate are at the correct versions and safe for operational use.
You’ll be part of a team that relies on each individual to play their part to the best of their ability. As well as the colleagues that you work closely with every day, you’ll also be part of Team Reading, playing your personal part in making Reading a successful and vibrant place.
Our vision is to ensure that Reading realises its potential as a great place to live, work and play, and that everyone shares the benefits of this success. Our values and behaviours guide how we will achieve this:
Work Together as one team - work collaboratively, with each other and with our partners, and demonstrate the Team Reading values in everything we do
Drive Efficiency - show initiative, be adaptable to change and put forward ideas to help improve delivery and efficiency. Take responsibility for our own learning and development and for reaching our potential
Be Ambitious - be demanding of our own performance – striving to be even better – and be prepared to engage with and challenge leaders in a constructive and positive way
Make a Difference to Reading - maintain the highest levels of customer service and be flexible and willing to provide the services needed at the time they are needed
About you
Our ideal candidate should have prior experience leading an IT Operations Team, possess extensive technical ICT knowledge, and hold a certification in a recognized Project Management methodology.
Experience in managing technology stacks within a local government setting is essential, along with a proven track record of overseeing multiple IT service delivery suppliers.
You should have experience working with networks in an organization of similar size and complexity. Additionally, direct experience in managing application support teams is required.
Our offer
We offer a supportive environment to grow and develop your career with the opportunity to put your ideas across. Innovation and ambition is strongly encouraged, and you’ll get a great feel for that working in our friendly and collaborative environment.
A competitive salary alongside a range of benefits including:
Generous holiday entitlement - 25 days holiday each year plus bank holidays - rising to 33 days after 10 years' service, with the option to buy additional leave
A wide range of flexible working opportunities
Modern working environment at the Civic Offices in the heart of Reading
Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS)
Life Assurance - three times your annual salary (for members of the LGPS)
On-site day nursery (Kennet Day nursery) rated outstanding by Ofsted
Season Ticket Loan - to help with the cost of your rail/ bus journey, to & from work
Lease car salary sacrifice scheme allowing you to lease a brand new, greener car for three years. The monthly fee includes insurance, servicing and road tax
For more information on this position please contact Ade Marques, Assistant Director Digital and IT via email: ade.marques@reading.gov.uk or on 07921493742
Closing Date: 2nd April 2025
Interview Date: To be confirmed
Please note that the closing date is given as a guide. We reserve the right to close this vacancy once a sufficient number of applications has been received. Therefore, it is strongly advised that you complete and return your application as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.
Our service is one of the most critical roles that enables the council function and we take pride in the quality of digital and IT service delivery both internally and through our managed service suppliers. In digital and IT, we have responsibility for the council’s web estate, software, hardware, application support, development, telephony, networks and cyber security.
We seek the best talent from the widest pool of people as diversity and inclusion is the key to our success. Reading Borough Council is a Disability Confident Employer and is committed to the recruitment and continued employment of people with disabilities.
We are open to flexible working patterns and can provide a hybrid working environment which utilises the best of both worlds with a mix of office working in central Reading and homeworking according to the needs of the Service.
About the role
This role is a crucial for the next phase of our digital journey in Reading as a borough. The role will be central in our ambitious to take the lead in compliance, digital innovation, customer and employee experience. This role will embody the essence of a digital culture and will lead strategies and techniques to make this happen within the council and across borough communities.
This role is crucial in leading the day to day operations of digital and IT applications and other infrastructure, ensuring applications are compliant, and service delivery meets defined expectations. As part of the intelligent client function, this role will be key in relating with third party service delivery managers to provide the best quality of service for staff to function optimally.
You will ensure efficient and effective operational coordination, integration and performance management of IT Services contracts, lead application support, and digital upskilling and training practices across the council. You will be accountable for the application upgrade roadmap to ensure all applications on our estate are at the correct versions and safe for operational use.
You’ll be part of a team that relies on each individual to play their part to the best of their ability. As well as the colleagues that you work closely with every day, you’ll also be part of Team Reading, playing your personal part in making Reading a successful and vibrant place.
Our vision is to ensure that Reading realises its potential as a great place to live, work and play, and that everyone shares the benefits of this success. Our values and behaviours guide how we will achieve this:
Work Together as one team - work collaboratively, with each other and with our partners, and demonstrate the Team Reading values in everything we do
Drive Efficiency - show initiative, be adaptable to change and put forward ideas to help improve delivery and efficiency. Take responsibility for our own learning and development and for reaching our potential
Be Ambitious - be demanding of our own performance – striving to be even better – and be prepared to engage with and challenge leaders in a constructive and positive way
Make a Difference to Reading - maintain the highest levels of customer service and be flexible and willing to provide the services needed at the time they are needed
About you
Our ideal candidate should have prior experience leading an IT Operations Team, possess extensive technical ICT knowledge, and hold a certification in a recognized Project Management methodology.
Experience in managing technology stacks within a local government setting is essential, along with a proven track record of overseeing multiple IT service delivery suppliers.
You should have experience working with networks in an organization of similar size and complexity. Additionally, direct experience in managing application support teams is required.
Our offer
We offer a supportive environment to grow and develop your career with the opportunity to put your ideas across. Innovation and ambition is strongly encouraged, and you’ll get a great feel for that working in our friendly and collaborative environment.
A competitive salary alongside a range of benefits including:
Generous holiday entitlement - 25 days holiday each year plus bank holidays - rising to 33 days after 10 years' service, with the option to buy additional leave
A wide range of flexible working opportunities
Modern working environment at the Civic Offices in the heart of Reading
Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS)
Life Assurance - three times your annual salary (for members of the LGPS)
On-site day nursery (Kennet Day nursery) rated outstanding by Ofsted
Season Ticket Loan - to help with the cost of your rail/ bus journey, to & from work
Lease car salary sacrifice scheme allowing you to lease a brand new, greener car for three years. The monthly fee includes insurance, servicing and road tax
For more information on this position please contact Ade Marques, Assistant Director Digital and IT via email: ade.marques@reading.gov.uk or on 07921493742
Closing Date: 2nd April 2025
Interview Date: To be confirmed
Please note that the closing date is given as a guide. We reserve the right to close this vacancy once a sufficient number of applications has been received. Therefore, it is strongly advised that you complete and return your application as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.
Proud member of the Disability Confident employer scheme
Disability Confident
About Disability Confident
A Disability Confident employer will generally offer an interview to any applicant that declares they have a disability and meets the minimum criteria for the job as defined by the employer. It is important to note that in certain recruitment situations such as high-volume, seasonal and high-peak times, the employer may wish to limit the overall numbers of interviews offered to both disabled people and non-disabled people. For more details please go to Disability Confident.