Strategic Lead - Intelligence & Systems Transformation

Wakefield Council; Wakefield; Hybrid; GBP 51,000 - 69,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid working

LGPS pension

Travel discounts

Employee assistance programme

Cycle to work

Salary sacrifice

Job summary

Wakefield Council in Wakefield is seeking a Strategic Lead for Intelligence and Systems Transformation to steer business intelligence, reporting and systems improvement across a large public sector organisation. You will drive strategic BI, data quality and system development, partnering with senior leaders and suppliers to deliver robust information and major transformation programmes.

This hybrid leadership role offers opportunities to influence decision making across the council, aligning

Qualifications

• Significant experience in business intelligence and performance management.
• Proven data analytics and reporting capabilities.
• Leads digital systems transformation and tech-enabled change.
• Experience with enterprise or case management systems.
• Strong stakeholder management and strategic influence.
• Ability to translate requirements into practical data solutions.
• Leads and develops professional teams.
• Works at strategic and operational levels.

Responsibilities

• Lead BI, reporting and systems improvement functions.
• Shape data and digital systems to support decisions.
• Oversee strategic BI direction, data quality and development.
• Ensure information solutions deliver meaningful outcomes.
• Deliver management information, statutory reporting and dashboards.
• Collaborate with senior leaders and suppliers.
• Drive process improvement and value of data investments.
• Lead transformation initiatives in public sector.

Skills

BI & reporting

Data analytics

Systems leadership

Performance management

Stakeholder management

Strategic thinking

Team leadership

Transformation programmes

Requirements translation

Job description

Join our team at Wakefield Council, the largest employer in the district, with over 8,000 employees in diverse roles delivering essential services. We are a standout success in local government, known for financial responsibility and delivering on commitments even in challenging times. With strong political and managerial leadership, a skilled workforce, and a focus on community empowerment, we're committed to shaping a bright future for Wakefield. It’s no wonder we are an employer of choice for individuals seeking a rewarding role and career. Get involved as we strive to become one of the top-performing councils in the country.

About the Role

Are you passionate about making a difference to our citizens and the district that they reside in? Then, we have an exciting opportunity for you to join our team. Strategic Lead - Intelligence & Systems Transformation Hybrid working | Wakefield One (near Westgate Station)

We are seeking an experienced Strategic Lead for Intelligence and Systems Transformation to lead the development of our business intelligence, reporting and systems improvement functions. This is a senior leadership role responsible for shaping how data, intelligence and digital systems are used to support high-quality decision making, operational effectiveness and service transformation across a large and complex organisation. You will provide strategic direction for business intelligence, performance reporting, data quality, systems development and user support, ensuring that information and technology solutions deliver meaningful business outcomes. You will drive the delivery of robust management information, statutory reporting, performance frameworks, dashboards and digital system improvements. You will work closely with senior leaders, operational managers, technology teams and system suppliers to identify opportunities for innovation, improve business processes and maximise the value of organisational data and technology investments. This role offers the opportunity to influence strategic decision making, lead significant systems transformation initiatives and shape the future use of intelligence and technology within a large public sector environment.

We're looking for a confident and credible leader with significant experience in one or more of the following.

Responsibilities

• Lead the development of business intelligence, reporting and systems improvement functions.
• Shape how data, intelligence and digital systems are used to support high-quality decision making, operational effectiveness and service transformation across a large and complex organisation.
• Provide strategic direction for business intelligence, performance reporting, data quality, systems development and user support.
• Ensure that information and technology solutions deliver meaningful business outcomes.
• Drive the delivery of robust management information, statutory reporting, performance frameworks, dashboards and digital system improvements.
• Work closely with senior leaders, operational managers, technology teams and system suppliers to identify opportunities for innovation.
• Improve business processes and maximise the value of organisational data and technology investments.
• Influence strategic decision making and lead significant systems transformation initiatives.
• Shape the future use of intelligence and technology within a large public sector environment.
• Lead professional teams and manage complex stakeholder relationships.
• Translate business requirements into practical data and technology solutions.
• Use insight, systems thinking and innovation to improve organisational performance and support major transformation programmes.

Required Skills

• Significant experience in one or more of the following:
• Business intelligence and performance management
• Digital systems leadership and transformation
• Data and analytics
• Enterprise or case management systems
• Service redesign and business process improvement
• Technology-enabled change programmes
• Experience of leading professional teams.
• Experience managing complex stakeholder relationships.
• Ability to translate business requirements into practical data and technology solutions.
• Ability to work at both a strategic and operational level.
• Use of insight, systems thinking and innovation to improve organisational performance.
• Ability to support major transformation programmes.
• Confidence and credibility as a leader.

Pay range and compensation package

• A competitive salary - £59,676
• Generous holiday entitlement with the option to buy up to 10 extra days of annual leave
• Hybrid working (subject to role suitability)
• Discounted and subsidised public transport (Arriva Bus Annual Travel Ticket, Northern Trains Limited (NTL), MetroCard).
• Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) and a Shared Cost Additional Voluntary Contributions (AVC) scheme providing a tax efficient way to increase our pension.
• Great range of benefits including an Employee Assistant Programme, discounted membership to our excellent leisure facilities with free 12 weeks exercise program, discounts for a range of retail, entertainment, health and leisure providers, a cycle to work scheme, and many more.
• Take advantage of our employee car lease scheme and enjoy a hassle-free way to drive a new or preloved vehicle.
• Through salary sacrifice, payments are deducted before tax and National Insurance, helping to reduce your overall costs.
• With no deposit to pay and a choice of petrol, diesel, hybrid, and electric vehicles, you'll enjoy an all-inclusive package covering insurance, servicing, maintenance, tyres, MOT, road tax, and breakdown cover.
• Electric vehicle drivers can also benefit from a free home charging point installation.

About You

You will have experience of leading professional teams, managing complex stakeholder relationships and translating business requirements into practical data and technology solutions. You'll be comfortable working at both a strategic and operational level, using insight, systems thinking and innovation to improve organisational performance and support major transformation programmes.

Why Join Us?

Our service supports both the Council and external clients, providing a varied portfolio of work across governance, risk, assurance and counter fraud. You will join a supportive team committed to innovation, continuous improvement and professional development. This role offers a unique opportunity to gain broad experience across audit, risk management and counter fraud while developing the skills and experience required for future senior leadership positions.