2 x Department Manager - Business Intelligence
Agenda for Change Band 8a
Salary Range £39,632 – £47,599
37.5 hours per week
The IT SBU is one of five Strategic Business Units within NSS, and provides IT Services across the
NSS and to the wider NHS and Public Sector. These services include Contract & Vendor
Management, Architecture & Solutions, National Infrastructure, Projects & Service Management, NSS
Infrastructure and Business IT.
The Business Intelligence Service is part of the Architecture and Solutions Service, and delivers
innovative software solutions across the Agency, including the on-going development of an Oracle
Corporate Data Warehouse, complex Business Objects applications, and Data Visualisation using
Tableau. Through the delivery of these solutions, the Business Intelligence Service provides unique
and highly valuable management and research resources to end users across Scotland. The Service
oversees the national SAP Business Objects contract on behalf of NHSScotland, and provides BI
standards, advice and guidance to developers across the NHS. The Service also provides hosting
and support of Finance Reporting across NHS Scotland.
Due to growing demand for the Business Intelligence Service, we seek to appoint two enthusiastic,
self-motivated and highly experienced IT professionals to the role of Department Manager. The
successful candidates will have first-class inter-personal and organisational skills, as well as an
enthusiastic, ‘can do’ attitude.
A degree, or equivalent, is required plus significant experience in the delivery of enterprise-wide
software solutions and in the management of multi-disciplinary teams.
Our benefits package includes final salary pension scheme, comprehensive range of work life balance
policies, occupational health services, learning resource centres and discounted leisure, financial and
shopping benefits.
For an informal discussion please contact Neil Sinclair on 0131 275 6952.
For an application pack please complete the online application form on the SHOW website
www.jobs.scot.nhs.uk/intvac Ref G25483 Please note that CVs will not be accepted.
Closing date for completed applications is 12 noon on 30th September 2014.
Please note that only those applicants called for an interview will be contacted. If you have not
received a response within 4 weeks of the closing date, please assume that you have been
unsuccessful on this occasion.
Further information on NSS is available from: www.nhsnss.org.
NHS National Services Scotland is the common name of the Common Services Agency for the
Scottish Health Service.
NHS National Services Scotland is an equal opportunities employer.
Candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria will be guaranteed an interview
JOB DESCRIPTION
1.
JOB DETAILS
Please complete all details below apart from the job reference and note that the job holder(s) should not
be named on this form. It is intended that job descriptions will be anonymous for banding purposes. The
AfC Team will devise a confidential system to link job holders with their job descriptions and accordingly
will complete the job reference.
Job Title:
Department Manager
Immediate Senior Officer/Line Manager:
Head of Service (IT SBU)
Department(s):
Various
Division:
IT SBU
Job Reference:
2. JOB PURPOSE
Responsible for management of the IT Department.
Responsible for all aspects of the design, development, operation and management of several NSS and/or National
level software applications.
Responsible for the management of the departmental budgets.
Accountable for deciding the course of action to resolve complex, contentious issues within the department area and
responsible for communicating decisions to NSS senior managers.
3. DIMENSIONS
The post holder will lead a small scale department within one of the IT SBU service delivery areas, comprising up to
10 or more staff.
The post holder has prime responsibility for a revenue budget in excess of £0.5m in year.
Responsible for all aspects of the design, development, operation and management of several NSS and/or National
level software applications.
Staffing may include IM&T consultants, Business Analysts, Information Governance experts, IT Developers,
Testers, and IT Support Specialists/staff.
Customers include: NSS, Scottish Government (SG), NHS Boards (and other NHS Organisations), Local Authorities
(including Council, Fire, Ambulance, Education and Police); other partner organisations, the public, commercial
organisations and research bodies. Also includes counterparts in other UK country national eHealth delivery
organisations.
For new projects, a level of workforce flexibility will be required and it is expected that staff from other IT SBU
service areas and from other NSS SBU’s will work jointly in short life teams, as necessary. The post-holder must
manage the conflicting demands that this entails, negotiating and influencing customers in terms of timescales and
deadlines.
4. ORGANISATION CHART
5. ROLE OF THE DEPARTMENT
The role of the IT SBU is to support the NHS Scotland national eHealth agenda through the effective delivery of
IM&T products and specialist services that will enable clinical process and efficiency improvements across Scotland.
The core remit is focused on the management and delivery of IM&T services focused on the development and
enablement of national level business and clinical capabilities. This includes the delivery of IM&T services, systems,
data and contracts which enable cross-Board/ boundary integration, workflow, information sharing, cost efficiency
realisation and collaboration.
IT SBU has of the order of 350 staff, approximately 260 based in Edinburgh and 90 based in Glasgow where
national level software application products are developed, maintained and supported. IT SBU is currently involved
in over 50 projects and programmes in support of eHealth across NHS Scotland.
–
The vision of the organisation is ‘To be valued as a trusted, integral IT services partner’
–
The mission of the organisation is ‘To deliver high value national and specialist IT services which maximise
health and financial impact’
–
The purpose of the organisation is ‘To provide high value shared services, enable national level IM&T
capabilities and cross- Board/ boundary collaboration’
The service model is focused on the following key areas:
> Architecture & Consulting
Providing focused IM&T expertise and advice to eHealth and business communities
> Contract & Vendor Management Services
Managing 3rd party national level eHealth suppliers end-to-end
> Programme & Project Management
Scalable and adaptable delivery of eHealth initiatives at national level.
> Solutions Design, Development, Integration & Maintenance
Bespoke systems development, maintenance and support
> National Solutions Accreditation & Testing
Assuring inter-operability of the national architecture
> Solution Stewardship / Service Management
Managing service delivery assurance for systems after ‘go live
> Infrastructure Management
Managing the delivery of customer service, LAN, desktop and other infrastructure services
IT SBU works in partnership with a wide range of organisations – NSS, NHS Scotland NHS Boards, Hospitals,
Primary Care Practitioners, Community Health Partnerships, Local Authorities, Scottish Government Directorates,
Other UK eHealth agencies, and major IM&T product and service providers operating in the Scottish public sector.
6. KEY RESULT AREAS
 Responsible for the delivery of agreed objectives within the guidelines set down in organisational policies. The
post holder is responsible for determining how delivery is best achieved.
 Responsible for the management of the design, development, test, implementation and support of major IT
solutions underpinning the work of the NSS business or other IT SBU customers.
 Responsible for implementing annual objectives for the Department based on the NSS IT SBU strategy. Develop
project plans across the Department that ensure the delivery of multiple projects using common resources while
avoiding unnecessary conflict. Monitor plans to identify issues and adjust plans before problems impact project
delivery. Action performance management, risk management and manage cross-project risks.
 Develop, motivate, and monitor staff within the Department to ensure individual and collective objectives are
achieved and an acceptable workplace climate is sustained.
 Receive complex information from a range of specialists and interpret and deliver that information in a way that
will encourage understanding, agreement and co-operation.
 Interpret and resolve complex problems by adopting an analytical approach designed to identify the most suitable
solution and avoid future recurrence.
 Ensure the Department implements and maintains a set of standard operating procedures (SOPs) and metric
reports to monitor activities and ensure Department objectives are met. Continually review, and strive to achieve
improvement in, Department policies and procedures. Implement new and improved policies as appropriate.
 Define training programmes for the Department and monitor staff development. Manage contentious or sensitive
staff issues within the Department.
 Constantly review external sources to identify best practice and maintain depth of knowledge in the specialised
Department field. Take managerial responsibility for research and development work as required to prove the
viability of emerging technologies.
 Manage suppliers/vendors to ensure contracted services are delivered in line with contract terms and to specified
Service Levels.
 Prepare implementation processes for IT SBU investment at Department level.
 Manage budgets for operations and projects to deliver Department objectives. Identify issues and risks that
impact the budget and manage/escalate them as appropriate.
7. ASSIGNMENT AND REVIEW OF WORK and DECISIONS AND JUDGEMENTS
The Department Manager reports to the IT SBU Head of Service.
The Head of Service delegates responsibilities to the Department Manager based on annual objectives set out in the
IT Business plan and appropriate timescales are agreed. The Department Manager then sets and monitors targets
for staff in the Department in order to achieve them. Objectives are reviewed every quarterly.
The post holder’s workload derives from the management of activities within the Department. The Head of Service
is required to set priorities for activities within the Department in order to meet these demands. They must apply
initiative to prepare for and resolve difficulties within the Department and instigate action to prevent recurrence.
The Department Manager must work closely with the other IT Managers to ensure overall IT objectives are met.
8. COMMUNICATIONS AND RELATIONSHIPS
INTERNAL
Director, IT SBU
Heads of Service, IT SBU
Programme and Project Managers.
Team Leaders.
Other NSS Senior Managers.
Other NSS IT SBU staff.
To deliver solutions and applications services system developments with IT SBU Senior Management and NHS
Scotland stakeholders and communicate issues/progress.
To negotiate with other senior colleagues and manage customer expectations and conflicting priorities.
To work with Senior Managers and Clinicians to ensure seamless end to end delivery of IT SBU services
EXTERNAL
Health Board eHealth and IT representatives.
Health Board Clinicians and Managers.
Scottish Government.
Other non-NHSS customers.
External consultants and 3rd party service providers.
To Liaise with key stakeholders and customer representatives in negotiating and developing IT SBU services and
report on progress.
To represent IT SBU at formal management bodies and programme boards including eHealth Project Boards.
To liaise with the wider customer community to understand priorities, identify needs and manage expectations.
Communications can be both formal and informal, requiring highly skilled and effective verbal and written methods
including formal presentation or chairing at meetings or events.
9. MOST CHALLENGING PARTS OF THE JOB

Balancing priorities and activities within the Department to ensure timely delivery of major IT systems and
solutions while providing maintenance and support of existing business-critical applications.

Ensuring IT systems and solutions are sufficiently robust and effective to deliver consistent quality to end
users and customers.

Training, coaching, mentoring and managing staff to maximise potential and increase efficiency and
effectiveness.

Ensuring Department objectives are properly monitored and delivered.
10. SYSTEMS
Responsible for the design, development, test, implementation, maintenance and support of major IT information
systems and solutions across the agency incorporating: operating systems (e.g. Unix, Linux and NT); database and
warehousing software (e.g. Oracle, SQL Server); web technologies (e.g. JSP, ASP, Java, Apache and Tomcat); web
services
/ monitoring (e.g. Ensemble, Big Brother and Nagios); Business Information software (e.g.
BusinessObjects, Crystal Reports); communications infrastructure (e.g LANs, WANs and associated security
hardware); desktop application support (e.g. Microsoft Office suite), backup and recovery procedures (e.g.
Commvault) and Helpdesk support (e.g. Assyst).
11. PHYSICAL, MENTAL, EMOTIONAL EFFORT
Physical Effort
 Combination of sitting, standing and walking.
Mental effort
 Ability to concentrate for long periods of time despite frequent interruptions, e.g. when resolving complex technical
problems or reviewing the technical design or contract details of a major new system development.
 Ability to make rational decisions when resolving conflict situations.
 Ability to foresee situations of potential stress or conflict within the Department and mange staff and the situation
accordingly.
 Ability to keep one’s own emotions under control when dealing with conflict situations in a pressured environment.
Emotional Effort
 Responsible for the monitoring of staff performance and development, with a requirement to take corrective action
if necessary.
 Ability to cope well with single point pressure.
 Demonstrated tolerance of different attitudes.
 Ability to cope with unexpected problems and take responsibility.
 Will take all necessary steps to achieve objectives.
12. ENVIRONMENTAL/WORKING CONDITIONS & MACHINERY AND EQUIPMENT
Exposure to unpleasant working conditions is rare.
Standard shared/open plan office conditions and equipment.
Standard keyboard skills.
Driving may be required throughout Scotland, which can be for extended periods of time in adverse traffic
conditions.
13. KNOWLEDGE, TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE REQUIRED TO DO THE JOB
Educated to degree level with an appropriate postgraduate qualification in an IT, Business (e.g. MBA) or other
technical / management discipline, or equivalent experience.
.
The Department Manager must have at least 3 years experience as technical authority within the specialist area,
and at least 3 years’ experience working in a management role within Information Technology.
A working knowledge of NHS systems is highly desirable.
The Department Manager will have excellent communication and interpersonal skills and will have the ability to
effectively lead and motivate staff. The ability to liaise effectively with senior internal NHS managers and senior
external managers is essential. Proven customer facing skills and the ability to work well under pressure are also
essential qualities for the post.
14. JOB DESCRIPTION AGREEMENT
A separate job description will need to be signed off by each jobholder to whom the
job description applies.
Job Holder’s Signature:
Date:
Head of Department Signature:
Date:
HR Department will check job description format and content and then send the job
description to the A4C Team
HR Representative’s Signature:
Date:
JOB DESCRIPTION
ADDENDUM
ADDITIONAL ITEMS (to add specific technical, managerial requirements for the actual role)
DECISIONS AND JUDGEMENTS
SYSTEMS
EQUIPMENT AND MACHINERY
Job Holder’s Signature
Date:
Line Managers Signature
Date:
HR Representative’s Signature
Date:
PERSON
SPECIFICATION
JOB TITLE: Department
Manager –Business
Intelligence
Essential
Desirable
N/A
N/A
Degree or equivalent
Experience in one or more is highly
desirable:
 design and implementation of an
Oracle data warehouse using
Kimball design methodology
 design and implementation of
enterprise-wide BI reporting and
visualisation solutions, including
the use of Business Objects and
Tableau.
PHYSICAL
GENERAL
INTELLIGENCE
Educational attainments
Job Experience
At least 8 years’ experience in IM & T,
with at least 3 years acting in a senior
role within a team providing innovative
software solutions.
Experience of mentoring and supporting
staff, and acting in a team lead role.
ITIL Service Management certification is
highly desirable
BOCP and/or OCP certification is highly
desirable
A working knowledge of NHS systems is
highly desirable
The
Professional
Certificate
in
Management is highly desirable, but not
essential.
Ideally the successful candidate will have
at least 3 years’ management experience.
SPECIAL APTITUDES
Ability to provide innovative technical
solutions to complex problems
First class communication and
interpersonal skills are essential.
Ability to motivate and develop staff
Ability to deal with staff performance and
disciplinary matters
Ability to make rational decisions when
resolving conflicting situations, often
under pressure
INTERESTS
N/A
DISPOSITION
N/A
Tolerance of different attitudes and
opinions
Team player
CIRCUMSTANCES
A ‘can do’ attitude is essential
Knowledge of NSS strategic objectives
The successful candidate will ideally have
a good understanding of the theory and
practice of business intelligence, and how
it can make a difference to the health and
wellbeing of the people of Scotland.
Knowledge of the eHealth Strategy
Knowledge of health care issues in
Scotland an advantage.
Summary of Key Terms and Conditions of Post
Division/Department:
Information Technology
Location:
Edinburgh
Job Title & AfC Pay Band:
Department Manager, Band 8a
Salary/Salary Scale:
£39,632 - £47,559 per annum
Conditions of Service:
Your terms and conditions of service are in accordance with the
Agenda for Change Terms and Conditions Handbook. Agenda
for Change comprises a National pay system and job evaluation
scheme for the Health Service, a harmonised set of terms and
conditions of employment and a Knowledge and Skills Framework.
Hours of Duty:
The standard full-time hours for NHS staff are 37.5 hours, exclusive
of meal breaks, normally to be worked over 5 days per week. The
hours of this post are 37.5.
Annual Leave:
The annual leave arrangements are:
o
o
o
27 days (202.5 hours) on commencement
29 days (217.5 hours) after 5 years’ service
33 days (247.5 hours) after 10 years’ service.
8 public and statutory holidays are also available within the leave
year.
Superannuation:
All new entrants to NHS National Services Scotland who are
aged sixteen but under seventy five will be enrolled
automatically as a member of the NHS Superannuation
Scheme (Scotland). The pension scheme is provided by the
Scottish Public Pensions Agency. This scheme is a
Qualifying pension scheme, which means it meets or exceeds
The government’s new standards. All benefits including life
Insurance and family benefits are explained on the SPPA
Website www.sppa.gov.uk For further information on
Membership benefits, contributions, or how to opt out of the
Scheme, please refer to the enclosed factsheet “Auto
Enrolment.
Medical Assessment:
Appointment to this post will be subject to satisfactory medical
clearance. The successful candidate will be required to complete a
pre-employment health declaration form and, where appropriate,
undergo a health assessment by the Occupational Health Service.
Knowledge and Skills
The NHS Knowledge and Skills Framework applies
Framework:
to all jobs covered by Agenda for Change. Under the Knowledge
and Skills Framework, staff will have annual development reviews,
which will result in the production of a personal development plan.
There is equal access to training for all staff.
Equal Opportunities Policy:
NSS is an Equal Opportunities employer and the policy applies
to all aspects of employment.
Smoking Policy:
NSS operates a No Smoking Policy.
Right to Work in the UK
In accordance with the Immigration, Asylum and Nationality Act
2006, NHS National Services Scotland has a legal obligation to
ensure that it does not employ anyone who has not been granted the
relevant permission to work in the UK. We are therefore required to
check the entitlement to work in the UK of all prospective employees.
All shortlisted applicants will be asked to produce specific
original documentation plus a photocopy when attending
interview.
Applications from candidates who require a Tier 2 Certificate
of sponsorship will only be considered if no suitable UK or EEA
national is identified for this post.
NATIONAL SERVICES SCOTLAND
STAFF BENEFITS PACKAGE
Working for the NHS provides individuals with excellent career prospects and access to a
wide range of jobs. NHS National Services Scotland employs approximately 3,500 staff
working in a number of locations across Scotland.
Some of the benefits of working for NHS National Services Scotland are:
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A minimum of 27 days annual leave (pro rata) increasing with service
Eight public holidays (pro rata) per year
Access to flexible, family friendly working arrangements
Membership of the NHS Scotland superannuation scheme. Membership also
includes a lump sum death in service benefit.
Excellent training and development opportunities
Season Ticket Loan Scheme
Childcare Voucher Scheme
Cycle to Work Scheme
Access to national and local staff discounts and promotions
Occupational Health Service
Employee Counselling Service