IT Director

A Leading Charity based in the City of London are looking for an IT Director to join their team on a permanent basis. They need an IT expert with the leadership skills for direct improvement and delivery of networks & systems. They are looking for positive, passionate people with a can do attitude and consistently professional approach, someone talented who can help them deliver on strategic organisational plans to improve and upgrade their systems, to ultimately support colleagues across the organisation to provide high quality service for clients; and to support an end rough sleeping for good.

ABOUT THE COMPANY

The organisation work to prevent people becoming homeless, support people who are sleeping on the streets into secure accommodation and then provide them with the services they need to rebuild their lives. They developed numerous services offering the basics such as temporary shelter or longer term accommodation, but also a wide variety of projects designed to help people with their confidence, skills and experience. The organisation strive to support people as they take control of their own recovery. Their role is to foster the right environment, so people can bring about their own changes, in their own way.

ABOUT THE ROLE

The IT Director will manage the IT team and be accountable for the delivery of IT services across the organisation including a major upgrade of our systems estate over the next three years. The IT Director is also part of the organisation's leadership team and is expected to help evolve and deliver the overall strategy.

Role purpose:

• Development and delivery of the organisation's IT strategy in alignment with strategic objectives

• Management and continuous improvement of the organisation's systems infrastructure including information security, application support/helpdesk, IT business continuity, and management of IT supplier relationships

• Lead an IT transformation programme that delivers a step change in our systems capability

• Working in partnership with the rest of the charity to support user needs, ensuring all systems work together to the benefit of all stakeholders. Enable clients to be supported to access the benefits of technology and where possible, to self-serve.

• Development of a high performing IT team that provides support and challenge across the organisation’s operations.

Key Responsibilities:

• Manage and develop the IT team ensuring that we have the right skills and capabilities in place to effectively support the work of the organisation

• Develop a set of performance KPIs and provide regular reporting of performance

• Deliver effective management and maintenance of the organisation-wide IT architecture

• Lead the implementation of new systems infrastructure, including Office 365

• Enable the implementation of new business applications across the Charity including Finance, HR and Housing

• Manage the technology and processes for the successful operation of the website and digital products

• Drive the development and adoption of digital solutions to meet internal and external client, customer and stakeholder needs.

• Ensure that for all system implementations, users are fully engaged and supported through change management.

• Oversee the provision of a reliable, accessible and customer-focused application support/IT helpdesk function.

• Manage and control IT and project budgets

• Implement a programme of continuous improvement to all processes and systems to ensure ongoing efficiency and effectiveness.

TO LEAD AND MANAGE A TEAM

• Taking the lead in recruitment and selection of new staff to the team.

• Review the structure and effectiveness of the IT team and maintain job descriptions to ensure all activities and procedures are properly allocated to staff and resources remain appropriate.

• Prepare and regularly review the performance standards of the IT team and develop the technical capability of the members of the team.

• Supporting staff by setting clear objectives and holding individual supervisions regularly.

• Ensuring good communication between staff by holding team meetings regularly, and additional briefings as necessary.

• Monitor performance and effectiveness of the IT team through regular meetings with stakeholders.

• Inducting new staff and planning the continuing development of existing staff on the basis of an annual appraisal.

• Managing the workload of the team to ensure that adequate cover is provided at all times.

• Ensuring the health and safety of team members. This will include implementing procedures for office safety and use of computer equipment.

• Defining (and reviewing from time to time) the roles of staff to ensure these support the function’s aims and objectives.

• Operating the organisation's disciplinary and grievance procedures where necessary.

ABOUT YOU

They are looking for an IT professional with strong team working skills, able to build highly positive and constructive working relationships with senior colleagues and Boards. You will be able to engage effectively with all other functional teams to ensure both a comprehensive IT strategy that benefits the entire organisation and to manage the cross functional teams in the implementation of the strategy. Demonstrable experience of leadership and management of significant IT projects in a large and complex service focused organisation would be advantageous. We particularly welcome applications from Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) applicants, as they are under-represented within organisation at senior management level.

ESSENTIAL REQUIREMENTS

Experience:

The post holder must have demonstrable experience of successful outcomes in:

• Engaging effectively with all other functional teams to ensure both a comprehensive IT strategy that benefits the entire organisation and to manage the cross functional teams in the implementation of the strategy.

• Sourcing and delivering an effective IT infrastructure and customer-focused application support function within a large organisation.

• Leadership and management of significant IT projects in a large and complex service focused organisation. Influencing and supporting others to embrace change.

• Translating strategic aims into practical plans and action, including evidence of doing as well as thinking.

• Identifying and managing risks.

• Effective management and control of significant budgets.

• Team working skills and building highly positive and constructive working relationships with senior colleagues and Boards.

Skills, Knowledge and Abilities:

• Previous hands on IT experience.

• Strategic delivery.

• Project Management.

• People Management.

• A demonstrable commitment to the organisation's values including commitment to diversity and inclusion in the delivery of services and employment.

Must have:

• Genuine interest in and commitment to the organisation's work and client group.

• An understanding of and commitment to diversity & equality.

• Willingness and ability to work hours outside of normal office hours on occasion (time off in lieu will be granted).

• Willingness to work flexibly in response to changing organisational requirements.

WHAT THEY OFFER:

Great Training and Development:

• Investors in People Gold accredited

• Committed to developing all staff

• Developing your skills and career

You will have access to:

• A comprehensive induction to connect you with organisation and your role

• An individual personal development plan and access to regular internal vacancies when you are ready for your next move

• High quality inhouse training covering all aspects of working with their clients and other core skills

• A leadership and development programme for all new organisation's managers

• An internal mentoring scheme and career development workshops

• A sponsorship scheme to contribute towards achievement of professional qualifications

• A wide range of additional ‘bite-sized’ and easy access learning opportunities.

• The organisation have been accredited by Investors in People at Silver level, and are aiming for Platinum.

A diverse and inclusive workplace:

• 8 fantastic diversity networks including LGBTQ , BAME and lived experience

• Diversity, equality and inclusion

Flexible working and pension:

• Committed to maintaining your work-life balance

• Defined contribution pension scheme

Reaching your potential:

• They welcome people from a wide range of experiences and value transferrable skills.

• 29% of all appointments in 2020/21 were internal promotions.

• Reaching potential