Head of Architecture - Digital Permanent, Full Time £74,368 to £87,492 per annum plus benefits
Location: Chelmsford
Working Style: Anywhere worker*
Closing Date: 6th January 2025
*This is a hybrid-working role, with attendance in the Chelmsford office expected to be up to 1-2 days per week, depending on business need.
The Head of Architecture is a significant new technical expert leadership role, providing the strategic 'matrix' oversight, leadership and coordination across the Enterprise and Solution Architect roles and the Technology Programme leads.
The role will focus on the needs of the user ensuring every aspect of architectural design is user-centric and evidence-based, bridging the gap between the technical teams and the user, managing new demand, providing subject matter expertise and ensuring collaboration between all technical teams to deliver and successfully implement exemplar customer services.
The Opportunity The translation of system leadership thinking to their area of work to deliver the political objectives and priorities of the Council and ensure that all risks are actively managed.
Working collaboratively across the council and thinking commercially, to support the delivery of best possible outcomes for our customers on a financially sustainable basis.
Maintaining and nurturing collaborative relationships for the function with external organisations, that support the delivery of annual plans and develop a joined understanding of likely longer-term developments.
Identifying opportunities using evidence-based insight for improvement within their area of work, managing the changes so the highest possible levels of service quality are continually delivered.
Implementing commercial and innovative solutions to emerging and complex issues that meet the needs of customers and deliver the best possible outcomes within agreed resources.
Effective utilisation of digital technologies and innovation across the council and with stakeholders and partners.
Celebrating Equality and Diversity and ensuring it is considered as part of all decisions taken.
Using professional expertise to develop and translate functional strategies, goals and plans into their area of work, that prioritises resources, complies with relevant legislation and statutory requirements and manages a level of appropriate risk.
Managing the delivery of exemplar customer interactions to individuals and communities which support the management of strong relationships and a reputation for achieving outcomes and resolving issues.
Service Accountabilities Lead the development of enterprise-wide service architecture and processes to enable the strategic application of change in the organisation ensuring the buy-in of all key stakeholders.
Responsible for ensuring that Corporate and Directorate Service Design Solutions align to corporate business and technical architectures, the Technical Design Authority, the Technology Services Investment Board and the Council's Plans and Strategies.
Accountable for developing a bold service design vision and translating this into a roadmap of prioritised deliverables.
Ensure appropriate user experience analysis, design and evaluation processes are in place for continuous service improvement.
Ensure that colleagues in the Essex Digital Service work closely together to understand, document and design digital services and products.
Lead the development of service blueprints which give the end-to-end picture of a service with all the component parts and interdependencies.
Define strategic digital service design risks to manage reputational risks and risks to the security of the council's data and assets.
Lead the provision of expert advice and guidance to the Commercial Team for evaluating supplier bids.
The Experience You Will Bring Educated to degree level or equivalent by experience, preferably in computer science or scientific discipline.
Evidence of continued professional development and expert knowledge in relevant professional area.
Trained in appropriate critical technical standards such as TOGAF, SIAM and ITIL.
Understanding of the culture, processes, business models and technologies of the internet era.
Desirable to have substantial experience of technology within the public sector, particularly local government.
Excellent leadership and communication skills with an ability to influence and motivate high performing teams.
Experience of creating and proactively leading change initiatives in a complex environment.
Essex County Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults, and expects all employees and volunteers to share this commitment.
If you have queries on this role or require anything further, please email
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