Senior Technical Operations Manager

4Studio is at the heart of Channel 4’s digital transformation strategy and the future of our Business Operations department is intrinsically tied up with data, technology, innovation and implementation of agile processes, to support the delivery of 4Studio’s KPIs & targets.

Our Senior Technical Operations Manager is technically savvy, experienced & competent in driving innovation and responding to external AI and social media innovations, owns tools & systems for the dept, and is well versed in establishing strong agile processes in the wider 4Studio department.

This is a key role for 4Studio ensuring we: Use Technology, Systems & Tools effectively to underpin and enhance our content creation and distribution processes, including where we test and apply AI enabled solutions for added-value; Interface successfully with key Technology stakeholders to deliver tech-led change for the department; Establish an innovation mindset and process that allows us to be proactive and keep pace with technological and social platform developments; Embed and deliver an appropriate agile content creation & delivery process, that is well resourced efficient; Have a responsive and well managed Operations and Improvement model, that is well prioritised and delivers maximum value and output; Manage our suppliers, contracts and procurement process effectively; Ensure our processes are aligned and in harmony with the wider Channel 4 organisation You will have direct line management of a multi-disciplinary Technical Operations team in 4Studio: Our Agile Delivery & Resource Manager, 2 Operations & Process Improvement Specialists, our Social Media Technical Analyst.

Managing an essential support function it is essential that you are exceptional communicator and influencer, developing effective working relationships across a diverse group of stakeholders and proactively deliver genuinely impactful change into Channel 4.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

You are a multi-skilled Technical Operations specialist, with 4Studio responsibility for: Innovation Technology Systems, Tools & Suppliers Delivery & execution of Agile delivery processes Departmental Resource Management Continuous Process Improvement You will lead and embed a culture of innovation for 4Studio, supporting your peers to respond to emerging technology and social media content & platform innovations through the application of Design Thinking & Innovation processes. To achieve this you will have the support of and line manage our Social Media Technical Analyst who you will deploy onto emerging opportunities to develop quick and functional prototype solutions, helping us keep pace with technology and platform developments and delivering technology led improvements where they will provide value in our department. With AI and automation introducing an incredible depth and breadth of new opportunities you will own investigations, proof of concepts and deployment of these technologies within 4Studio. To do so you will a tech native, with a clear passion and experience of introducing beneficial AI & machine learning solutions in previous roles. You will be our interface with Channel 4 technology teams, ensuring they understand and are able to support our needs and continued evolution. You will take a lead on Technology & wider C4 governance processes that 4Studio need to be involved in. You will own the tools and systems that underpin our content creation & delivery processes, ensuring they are fit for purpose, adopted by users and are well administrated with appropriate change governance & prioritisation in place. To do so, you will lead on supplier and procurement processes for the department. Through line management of our Delivery & Resource Manager role, you will own the execution of agile production & delivery processes and resource management across our Channel teams and those involved in the creation and publication of 4Studio content. You will bring your experience as a certified Agile & Scrum practitioner to support this, actively coaching your peers and the wider teams in successful agile process management. You will support our Delivery & Resource Manager role to implement a resource management solution that allows us to forecast and track resource allocation and needs, to improve the efficiency of resource allocation within our 4Studio Channel teams. You will line manage our Operations & Process Improvement Specialist roles who are the go-to Operations problem solvers for 4studio. You will support your team in prioritising and overcoming issues with sustainable and lasting solutions. To do so you will bring your prior experience as a continuous improvement practitioner, implementing appropriate lean/six sigma philosophy and methodologies and expertly facilitating and ensuring improvement initiatives in 4Studio are well managed and deliver clear and beneficial outcomes. Through management of our Operations & Process Improvement Specialists you will own & deliver a clear Operations Improvement Plan, prioritising and ensuring the effective set up and execution of processes, making sure we develop a strong culture of continuous improvement across 4Studio. You will be an excellent communicator, reporting and building engagement in your roadmaps and plans for all areas of your teams responsibilities, ensuring the Leadership team, your peers and all key stakeholders are aware, supportive and regularly updated on your teams initiatives Responsible for the line management & personal development of your team members, creating a high performing can-do culture within your team. You will assist the Programme Lead and other Leadership team members in strategic planning for the department and be responsible for implementing departmental initiatives and monitoring their impact and effectiveness. You will be the Senior Operational subject matter expert and stakeholder in 4Studio & wider MVE projects that require or impact 4Studio Budgeting and cost management for your team ESSENTIAL EXPERIENCE AND SKILLS Experience of the full software development delivery lifecycle for technology projects from requirements and design through technical delivery to implementation. You will be a tech native, with a clear passion and experience of introducing beneficial AI & automation solutions in previous roles. Skilled and experienced in embedding and delivering innovation and Design Thinking processes. Qualifications in this area are beneficial. Experience of administrating a range of tools & systems, with evidence of embedding strong and effective governance & change models. Experience of onboarding suppliers and tools, undertaking the full procurement lifecycle. Qualified as a skilled Agile & Scrum practitioner, with evidence of embedding effective agile processes in an organisation and coaching participants and Leadership teams to achieve successful outcomes. Experience of creating and delivering resource management solutions to help an organisation improve resource efficiency and output Clear evidence of implementing Operations and Process KPIs/OKRs and appropriate tracking and reporting mechanisms. Prior experience as a continuous improvement practitioner, implementing appropriate lean/six sigma philosophy with evidence of clear and beneficial outcomes. Qualifications in this area are preferred, but it is essential that you have experience of working in an Lean/6Sigma environment or have managed qualified practitioners. Evidence of strong stakeholder management & communication, especially at a leadership level. A clear ability to distil complex information and concepts into easily understood documents and reports, allowing you to keep senior management and leadership updated key departmental initiatives in a concise and compelling way. An exceptional communicator and influencer, you’ll be able to develop effective working relationships across a diverse group of stakeholders and deliver genuinely impactful change into Channel 4. Excellent people management skills with experience managing a multi-disciplinary technically focused Operations team, allowing you to be a great manager and build an engaged and effective team. Ability to be responsive and prioritise your focus and workload. You will be required to manage the sometimes competing demands of the role & key stakeholders. Preferred experience of managing Technical Operations or Improvement to deliver positive change & outcomes for a business, ideally in a Digital, Social Agency, or TV sector. Confidence with process mapping tools, e.g. MS Visio Strong skills in MS Office, including Excel and PowerPoint Strong analytical skills, including a thorough understanding of how to interpret data and translate into actionable insights and improvements Experience of working on your own initiative in a blended or virtual team environment Demonstrate a good understanding of digital production processes. Must be approachable and collaborative Hybrid Working:

From September 2023, C4 has operated a 60/40 working pattern, equating to three office days per week. 
Having everyone in the office three days a week gives us more opportunity to build our high performing, inclusive culture; to collaborate and to learn and share with each other, as well as helping to coordinate a regular pattern of home and office working days.
Employees then have the flexibility to decide where they spend the rest of the working week. 
All our offices are open five days a week.

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