Introduction

This role presents a unique opportunity to deliver services across two local councils in south Warwickshire.  You will be employed by Warwick District Council, but also support Stratford On Avon District Council in delivering its ICT strategy and service.

Welcome from Andrew Day

Thank you for your interest in this important new role working for Warwick District Council. We are clear about our vision to ensure that Warwick District is a great place to live, work and visit, and be carbon neutral by 2030. As an experienced professional in your field you will understand that providing a secure, responsive and innovative ICT Service is essential for the successful delivery of the Council’s ambition. The role joins the senior management team following a review of senior management capacity. You will have the opportunity to help shape the future strategic direction of the Council as we upgrade our major software solutions and refresh our digital and customer access strategies. If you are excited by this opportunity, then please read on and find out more about the role, and why we also think Warwick District and the Council are a great place to work.

Welcome from Tony Jefferson

Stratford-on-Avon District Council has just established its vision for the next decade, and we are delighted to be working alongside Warwick District Council to appoint someone to lead our ambitious digital transformation programme.  The Council has big plans to develop both itself and the communities that we serve and ICT, and therefore this role, is critical to achieving this vision. You will oversee a significant investment programme in our ICT infrastructure under our “Ways of Working” project, which has moved at pace during the current pandemic. This role is also an integral part of our senior team which, collectively, will be leading on the delivery of our ambitions.

Andrew Day – Leader

Warwick District Council

Tony Jefferson – Leader

Stratford on Avon District Council

Introduction

This role presents a unique opportunity to deliver services across two local councils in south Warwickshire.  You will be employed by Warwick District Council, but also support Stratford On Avon District Council in delivering its ICT strategy and service.

Andrew Day – Leader

Warwick District Council

Welcome from Andrew Day

Thank you for your interest in this important new role working for Warwick District Council. We are clear about our vision to ensure that Warwick District is a great place to live, work and visit, and be carbon neutral by 2030. As an experienced professional in your field you will understand that providing a secure, responsive and innovative ICT Service is essential for the successful delivery of the Council’s ambition. The role joins the senior management team following a review of senior management capacity. You will have the opportunity to help shape the future strategic direction of the Council as we upgrade our major software solutions and refresh our digital and customer access strategies. If you are excited by this opportunity, then please read on and find out more about the role, and why we also think Warwick District and the Council are a great place to work.

Tony Jefferson – Leader

Stratford on Avon District Council

Welcome from Tony Jefferson

Stratford-on-Avon District Council has just established its vision for the next decade, and we are delighted to be working alongside Warwick District Council to appoint someone to lead our ambitious digital transformation programme.  The Council has big plans to develop both itself and the communities that we serve and ICT, and therefore this role, is critical to achieving this vision. You will oversee a significant investment programme in our ICT infrastructure under our “Ways of Working” project, which has moved at pace during the current pandemic. This role is also an integral part of our senior team which, collectively, will be leading on the delivery of our ambitions.

About Warwick District

Our vision is “to make Warwick District a great place to live, work and visit, and be carbon neutral by 2030.” The council’s Fit for the Future Strategy is designed to support and deliver its vision for the district split into three strands, people, service and money, and with the key aims:

  • Delivering high quality, effective and efficient services that customers value
  • Empowering and motivating our staff to influence and improve the services we provide
  • Delivering a balanced budget for the Council and meet future budget challenges
  • Working effectively with our partners to the benefit of our customers
  • Using our resources flexibly and to the maximum effect

About Stratford Upon Avon 

Stratford upon Avon is steeped in history and culture and we are very proud of our heritage. We welcome around 6.7million visitors and tourists to the district every year and our residents enjoy the thriving place they live and the services we deliver.  The last couple of years have been exciting for the council as there has been a real acceleration in the delivery of what matters to our residents. As we are becoming fit for the future, this new head of service will play a key role in our management team to help shape and drive the modernisation of our organisation going forwards.

The Council has 44 elected councillors made up from five political groups. There is no overall control of the council.  Our net revenue fund expenditure is just under £15m, funded mainly by Council Tax (£9.6m) and Business Rates (£4.5m). The current business rates regime, and changes expected from 2021/22, emphasise the importance of growth in the local economy. We are confident about the savings plans we have in place over the next 5 years from our Fit for the Future (FFF) programme. Across all services we employ around 500 staff and our organisation structure sets out our leadership portfolios. To find out more about Warwick District Council click here.
The Council is committed to delivering its vision and will achieve this by focusing on the following key objectives:
  • Working on regional, national and international stages
  • Enhancing the quality Stratford-on-Avon as a place
  • Nurturing a thriving, innovative and inclusive economy
  • Responding to the climate emergency
  • Putting residents and communities centre stage
  • In order to deliver this, we will become a more agile and resilient Council

To find out more about Stratford on Avon District Council, please click here.

Stratford-on-Avon District Council is Conservative run, with elected councillors from four political parties. Our £22m net revenue fund expenditure is funded by Council Tax £8.2m and Business Rates £3.7m. We are a focused, busy and forward-thinking workforce of 321 staff, committed to providing the best services we can to both our residents and visitors. We are successful as a result of having flexible, committed and enthusiastic staff, who are prepared to go the extra mile and have a ‘can-do’ work ethic.

About Warwick District

Our vision is “to make Warwick District a great place to live, work and visit, and be carbon neutral by 2030.” The council’s Fit for the Future Strategy is designed to support and deliver its vision for the district split into three strands, people, service and money, and with the key aims:

  • Delivering high quality, effective and efficient services that customers value
  • Empowering and motivating our staff to influence and improve the services we provide
  • Delivering a balanced budget for the Council and meet future budget challenges
  • Working effectively with our partners to the benefit of our customers
  • Using our resources flexibly and to the maximum effect
The Council has 44 elected councillors made up from five political groups. There is no overall control of the council.  Our net revenue fund expenditure is just under £15m, funded mainly by Council Tax (£9.6m) and Business Rates (£4.5m). The current business rates regime, and changes expected from 2021/22, emphasise the importance of growth in the local economy. We are confident about the savings plans we have in place over the next 5 years from our Fit for the Future (FFF) programme. Across all services we employ around 500 staff and our organisation structure sets out our leadership portfolios. To find out more about Warwick District Council click here.

About Stratford Upon Avon 

Stratford upon Avon is steeped in history and culture and we are very proud of our heritage. We welcome around 6.7million visitors and tourists to the district every year and our residents enjoy the thriving place they live and the services we deliver.  The last couple of years have been exciting for the council as there has been a real acceleration in the delivery of what matters to our residents. As we are becoming fit for the future, this new head of service will play a key role in our management team to help shape and drive the modernisation of our organisation going forwards.

Stratford-on-Avon District Council is Conservative run, with elected councillors from four political parties. Our £22m net revenue fund expenditure is funded by Council Tax £8.2m and Business Rates £3.7m. We are a focused, busy and forward-thinking workforce of 321 staff, committed to providing the best services we can to both our residents and visitors. We are successful as a result of having flexible, committed and enthusiastic staff, who are prepared to go the extra mile and have a ‘can-do’ work ethic.
The Council is committed to delivering its vision and will achieve this by focusing on the following key objectives:
  • Working on regional, national and international stages
  • Enhancing the quality Stratford-on-Avon as a place
  • Nurturing a thriving, innovative and inclusive economy
  • Responding to the climate emergency
  • Putting residents and communities centre stage
  • In order to deliver this, we will become a more agile and resilient Council

To find out more about Stratford on Avon District Council, please click here.

A Great Place To Work

About The Role 

ICT Services consists of Desktop Services, Infrastructure, Applications Support and Geographical Information Systems. The service supports c1100 users across both councils and responds to thousands of enquiries during the course of the year. The service develops and monitors both the Information Security and Conduct Policy (and associated policies) to ensure the Confidentiality, Integrity and Availability (CIA) of Council data, and the ICT investment plan to maintain a stable and secure platform for current service delivery and to meet the future needs identified in the ICT Strategy.

A key theme across both Warwick and Stratford upon Avon District Councils is the digital transformation of services. This will focus on ensuring that customers can access our services by digital means so that service requests are easy to make and provide ongoing feedback as to how the request is progressing. It will be ICT Services’ responsibility to ensure the appropriate technology is in place to help shape cultural change. This role presents an exciting opportunity to help lead cultural change which continues to deliver customer focused services from both councils and all ICT functions. You will be able to demonstrate a proven track record of developing innovative value for money services. Your strong partnership working skills will be evidenced through collaboration across both councils with suppliers, consultants and service stakeholders achieving tangible outcomes. We offer a supportive and stable environment in which ambitious, innovative leaders are encouraged to flourish. You will have every opportunity to extend your service leadership across corporate and cross cutting programmes, which will position you well to further your career aspirations to progress to Director and Chief Executive roles. Most of all, you will offer inspiring leadership, a strategic perspective and the ability to translate this to delivery, offering and encouraging new ideas to enhance the service and develop its people focus. You will be able to delegate effectively to a team of experienced service managers across both Councils, whilst having the passion, dedication and motivation required to move the service forward, maintaining a focus on outcomes.

 

Job Description
Organisational Chart
Employee Benefits

How to Apply

For an informal discussion about the role, please contact Chantelle Wooldridge, Principal Consultant – Resourcing, West Midlands Employers on 07788795411 or at c.wooldridge@wmemployers.org.uk

Click here to apply
Closing Date: – 26 August 2020

Candidates will be required to attend an assessment centre and final member panel interview on the dates below:

Assessment Centre: – 10 September 2020 (This will be taking place virtually and will involve a variety of activities aimed at drawing out the skills and experience required for this role)

Final Members Panel Interview: – 24 September 2020