Head of Digital Services

Hertfordshire County Council; Stevenage; Hybrid; GBP 59,000 - 67,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading county council is seeking a Head of Digital Services to oversee IT infrastructure and digital services within the Community Protection Directorate. The successful candidate will demonstrate strong leadership, project management experience, and a vision for future digital solutions. This is a unique opportunity to impact the effectiveness of community services through digital innovation and strategic management.

Benefits

Flexible Working Opportunities

Disability Confident Employer

Continuous Professional Development

Qualifications

• Extensive experience in digital services and IT management.
• Proven ability to manage complex projects and budgets.
• Experience in evaluating contracts and managing teams.

Responsibilities

• Manage digital services and IT infrastructure for Community Protection.
• Oversee budgets totaling approximately £3.6 million.
• Lead team in developing the Digital Strategy for the next five years.

Skills

Digital Services Management

Project Management

Team Leadership

Budget Management

Education

Relevant Degree or Equivalent Experience

Tools

Power BI

Job description

Job Title: Head of Digital Services

Starting Salary: £59,537 progressing to £66,642 per annum – pay award pending

Hours: 37

Location: Stevenage with hybrid working opportunities

Contract Type: Permanent

Directorate: Community Protection

About The Team

Are you an experienced Manager of IT or Digital Services? We are looking for an exceptional leader, with a strong background of working within a complex organisation and managing a team with a diverse skill set. With proven project management skills and an ability to alter the scope and process of projects and where appropriate, to ensure the best outcome for users and the organisation. You will manage many deadlines, projects, and tasks simultaneously and have a strong strategic view of the team/Service and build a vision for the future.

Digital Services have a continuous replacement programme of applications and systems, IT infrastructure and communications equipment for Community Protection Directorate (CPD) and Fire Control. You will be involved in gathering user requirements and creating specification, assisting in procurement, and implementing new infrastructure and communications equipment.

About The Role

You will be responsible for:

• Management of the Fire Control programme, responsible for a collaborative mobilising system
• Line management of two Support Manages.
• Managing and procuring of digital and IT contracts inline with public sector regulations.
• Designing and implementing policies that are clearly aligned with team and service priorities
• Strong financial responsibility, you will oversee a capital budget circa £1.5 million and a revenue budget of £2.1million.
• Leading the team and the service on a continual improvement journey.
• Develop and implement the Digital Strategy and Road Map for Digital solutions for CPD for the next five years.
  
  
  

About You

Essential

• Detailed knowledge and experience in Digital Services and Information Technology
• Experience preparing and evaluating tenders for contract award
• Experience in managing complex programs and projects with multiple deadlines
• Experience of managing a capital and revenue budget and creating capital bids and business cases
• Substantial experience in managing a team
• Knowledge of data reporting and Power Bi
  
  
  

Desirable

• Familiar with data warehouse or similar data technology
• Understanding of fire sector specific applications
• Experience of Airwave and or Emergency Service Network
  
  
  

You can shape the future digital platforms of CPD which will be a fast paced and rewarding role. If this sounds like the opportunity for you, we would love to hear from you!

We welcome applications from candidates who currently reside in the UK with established proof of right to work documentation. We are not able to offer sponsorship at this time for this role.

This job role is within the Corporate Services, level 14 job profile. Please locate this via:

Job profiles - Corporate services

To hear more about this opportunity please contact [e-mail] for an informal discussion about the role.

Interview Date: 4th & 5th August 2025

Benefits of working for us

How to apply

As part of your application, please upload your most recent CV along with a Supporting Statement addressing how you meet the essential or desirable criteria. Ensure your CV is up to date with your employment history (including any employment gaps), and including any training/qualifications.

Additional information

Disability Confident

We are proud to be a Disability Confident employer and guarantee an interview to anyone disclosing a disability whose application meets the minimum criteria for the post.

Safeguarding

This role has been identified as requiring a Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS) check.