Head of Technology & Digital Transformation

MCS Group; Belfast City District; On-site; GBP 59,000 - 64,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid working

Job summary

Simon Community is seeking a strategic Head of Technology & Digital Transformation to set the technology direction across the charity and translate it into an actionable roadmap. You will work with the Board and senior teams to assess current capability, identify priorities and lead organisation-wide improvements.

The role drives digital workplace development (Microsoft 365), data governance, cyber resilience and effective IT service delivery.

Qualifications

• Minimum 5 years in a senior IT or digital management role.
• Proven track record of leading organisation-wide digital change.
• Experience managing external technology providers, contracts and budgets.
• Experience managing technology risk, information governance, cybersecurity compliance and business continuity.
• Experience leading data protection and information governance practices.

Responsibilities

• Developing and delivering a clear technology and digital transformation strategy.
• Advising senior leaders and the Board on technology investment, risk and opportunity.
• Simplifying processes and removing barriers that prevent colleagues from working effectively.
• Leading the continued development of the organisation's digital workplace, including Microsoft 365 and collaboration tools.
• Improving the reliability, security and integration of core systems.
• Strengthening data governance, reporting and organisational insight.
• Setting the direction for IT service delivery and holding external suppliers accountable for quality, performance and value.
• Building digital confidence and supporting colleagues through change.
• Identifying responsible opportunities to use automation, AI and other emerging technologies.

Skills

Strategic IT leadership

Digital transformation

Stakeholder engagement

Vendor management

Data governance

Cybersecurity compliance

IT service management

Education

Degree in technology or related field

Postgraduate qualification

Professional IT management qualification welcomed

Tools

Microsoft 365 administration

SharePoint

Cybersecurity

Cloud-based business apps

Data governance

IT service management

Job description

Head of Technology & Digital Transformation

Simon Community | Exclusively represented by MCS Executive

MCS Executive is proud to be partnering with Simon Community in the appointment of a Head of Technology & Digital Transformation.

Simon Community is committed to ending homelessness and supporting people to rebuild their lives. This newly shaped leadership opportunity will play a central role in helping the organisation use technology, systems and data more effectively which will strengthen how its people work, improving decision-making and maximising the support provided to people experiencing homelessness.

The opportunity

As Head of Technology & Digital Transformation, you will set the strategic direction for technology across Simon Community and translate that vision into a practical, achievable roadmap.

Working closely with the Board, Senior Management Team and colleagues across the organisation, you will assess Simon Community's current digital capability, identify priorities and lead meaningful organisation-wide improvement.

Your remit will include:

• Developing and delivering a clear technology and digital transformation strategy.
• Advising senior leaders and the Board on technology investment, risk and opportunity.
• Simplifying processes and removing barriers that prevent colleagues from working effectively.
• Leading the continued development of the organisation's digital workplace, including Microsoft 365 and collaboration tools.
• Improving the reliability, security and integration of core systems.
• Strengthening data governance, reporting and organisational insight.
• Setting the direction for IT service delivery and holding external suppliers accountable for quality, performance and value.
• Building digital confidence and supporting colleagues through change.
• Identifying responsible opportunities to use automation, AI and other emerging technologies.

Success will mean trusted data, better-connected systems, stronger cyber resilience and simpler ways of working. Most importantly, it will enable frontline teams to spend more time supporting people experiencing homelessness.

The person

We are seeking an experienced and values-led technology professional who can combine strategic thinking with practical delivery.

You will understand that successful digital transformation is not simply about introducing new systems. It requires strong relationships, effective communication and the ability to bring people with you through change.

You will bring:

• Commitment to Simon Community's purpose and its values of being trustworthy, non-judgmental and determined.
• A minimum of 5 years' experience in a senior IT or digital management role, including responsibility for leading and developing teams.
• A strong track record of leading organisation-wide digital change, simplifying processes and demonstrating measurable improvements in efficiency, staff experience and service delivery.
• Experience of managing external technology providers, contracts, budgets and service performance, with the ability to secure value for money and hold suppliers accountable.
• Experience of managing technology risk, information governance, cybersecurity compliance and business continuity arrangements.
• A minimum of 5 years demonstrable technical experience in at least 3 of the following areas:
  • Microsoft 365 administration and governance (including SharePoint)
  • Cybersecurity
  • Device management
  • Administration of cloud-based business applications
  • Data governance and information management
  • IT service management
• Excellent communication, relationship-building and change leadership skills, including the ability to advise senior leaders and boards, engage non-technical colleagues and build digital confidence across an organisation.
• Experience of leading data protection compliance and information governance practices, including policy development, staff awareness and management of organisational risk.
• A relevant degree, postgraduate qualification or equivalent professional experience in technology, digital transformation, information systems or a related discipline would be advantageous. A recognised professional qualification in IT service management, project or programme management, cybersecurity, data governance, enterprise architecture or change management would also be welcomed.
• Experience leading technology or digital transformation within a charity, public-service, housing, health, social-care or other mission-led organisation would be particularly valuable, as would experience supporting multi-site, geographically dispersed or frontline service-delivery teams.

A values-led organisation

The successful candidate will share and actively promote Simon Community's values:

Trustworthy: acting with honesty, reliability and integrity.

Non-judgmental: treating people with respect, listening to their experiences and recognising that everyone's circumstances are different.

Determined: remaining committed to ending homelessness and continually seeking better ways to support people.

These values will shape how you lead, make decisions and build relationships throughout the organisation.

Why consider this opportunity?

This is a rare opportunity to shape the future of technology within an organisation whose work has a direct and meaningful social impact.

You will have the scope to influence strategy at the highest level while delivering practical improvements across systems, data, security and ways of working. The technology decisions you make will help colleagues work more effectively, strengthen frontline services and support Simon Community's wider ambition to end homelessness.

Location: Belfast with hybrid working
Salary: £59,267- £63,526
Closing date: Friday 28th August, 12pm.