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JOB SPECIFICATION
FUNCTION
IT & Digital
JOB TITLE
Head of IT & Digital
REPORTING TO
Deputy Chief Constable
GRADE
MB5
WORK PATTERN
Full-time
LOCATION
Birmingham
TRAVEL REQUIRED
Occasionally
ROLE ID
TBC
MAIN PURPOSE OF ROLE
West Midlands Police is reliant on the effective use of information technology to
successfully deliver policing services. Additionally, digital technologies (e.g. Mobility, Big
Data, Social Media) represent significant opportunities to transform the way in which
organisations can operate and deliver services.
The Head of IT & Digital is the lead senior officer responsible for Information Technology
and Digital Technology across West Midlands Police. This post is ultimately accountable
for all of the Force’s current and future technology capabilities, including the leadership of
the IT & Digital department, and all technology budgets.
The Head of IT & Digital is expected to lead the development and implementation of the
technology vision and strategy for West Midlands Police, ensuring it is effectively aligned
with the vision and objectives of the wider organisation, and has overall accountability for
the development and delivery of new IT & Digital services.
The Head of IT & Digital reports directly to the Deputy Chief Constable and is part of the
Force’s leadership team, acting as a trusted advisor to the Command Team ensuring that
all matters relating to technology are understood and managed appropriately.
The IT & Digital department is responsible for the force’s adoption and use of information
and digital technology.
The department consists of three core functions as follows:

Architecture Management (responsible for identifying and selecting the right
technologies for the force)

Delivery Management (responsible for delivering and implementing the right
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technologies for the force)

Service Management (responsible for managing and maintaining all live,
operational technology for the force)
The Head of IT & Digital is responsible for the leadership of this department.
This role has a high degree of independence, required to determine objectives and
operational activities against agreed targets, generally set by policy, budgets and force
direction. The role has direct responsibility for provision of specialist services across the
whole of the organisation, requiring a decisive and controlling direction.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Establish and promote West Midlands Police’s vision for Information Technology
and Digital Technology;

Develop and maintain an appropriate IT organisational structure and governance
that supports the needs of the organisation;

Lead IT & Digital strategic planning to achieve West Midlands Police goals by
fostering innovation, prioritising IT initiatives, and coordinating the evaluation,
deployment, and management of current and future IT systems across the
organisation;

Participate in the development of organisational strategy and change programmes;

Make a major contribution to the development and delivery of the organisation’s
vision and the agenda for transformation. Inspire creativity and flexibility in the
management and application of technology.

Lead strategic and operational governance processes relating to technology
across the organisation (e.g. IT Steering Committee);

Act as the senior representative for the force with regards to information
technology and digital technology at national and regional events;

Ensure the effective operation (quality, cost, risk, security) of all force technology;

Ensure the effective identification and selection (quality, cost, risk, security) of
information technology and digital technologies that will improve the performance
of West Midlands Police;

Ensure the effective delivery and implementation of information technology and
digital technology;

Participate in strategic and operational governance processes as a member of the
senior leadership team (e.g. Organisational Change Board, Design Authority, Gold
Groups);

Identify opportunities for the appropriate and cost-effective investment of finance in
IT systems and resources, including staffing, sourcing, purchasing, and in-house
development;

Develop and control the annual operating and capital budgets for all technology.

Develop business case justifications and cost/benefit analyses for IT spending and
initiatives.
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
Develop and maintain the IT & Digital Strategy with a view as to how the Force is
evolving in order to support future policing capabilities;

Ensure all IT & Digital services have an accountable Senior Manager and are
maintained in-line with the requirements of the Force;

Manage the relationship between IT & Digital and the Force;

Manage the relationship between West Midlands Police and the Police ICT
Company and other national bodies;

Represent IT & Digital in business discussions and ensure that the necessary IT &
Digital capabilities required by the Force are developed as per agreements;

Drive smarter IT & Digital investments across the Force;

Create a culture of performance and value in IT & Digital;

Ensure effective management of risks and compliance;

Coach and mentor direct reports, monitor performance levels and ensure these
are aligned to WMP standards;

Lead on ICT strategic sourcing and procurement ensuring that this is supported by
a set of cost-effective external service contracts and that any transitions are
managed successfully;
CONTACTS
Internal
External
The postholder will have contact with:
The postholder will have extensive contact
with a variety of critical and strategic third
i.
Other members of IT &
party suppliers.
Digital;
The postholder will have contact with a
ii.
Police Officers;
wide range of third party agencies (e.g. The
iii.
Police Staff;
Home Office, other public sector
The postholder will be expected to have organisations)
regular contact with the Force Command
Team.
SPANS OF CONTROL / FINANCIAL CONTROL
Staff management responsibilities:

Directly responsible for the line management and performance management
activities of three senior managers in the IT & Digital department;

Responsible for the leadership and oversight of ~100 members of staff in the IT &
Digital department.
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Budgetary responsibilities:

Responsible and accountable for all Capital budgets relating to technology
throughout the force.

Responsible and accountable for all Revenue budgets relating to technology
throughout the force.
COMPETENCIES REQUIRED FOR EFFECTIVE PERFORMANCE
Experience

At least five years’ experience of transforming and managing significant IT
services in a large organisation, preferably in a public service environment.

At least 8 years’ experience in the technology industry.

Experience of developing and delivering a comprehensive technology vision and
strategy;

Experience of building effective relationships with executives internally and
externally;

Experience of procuring and managing large and complex outcome-based
contracts with interdependencies.

Experience of joint procurement, market testing and strategic sourcing as well as
negotiating quality, cost-effective services

A clear understanding of the key issues affecting policing and wider public sector
service delivery;

Experience of successfully delivering large technology programmes/projects;

Evidence of delivering high quality, customer focussed services.

Experience of contributing to the development and implementation of effective
management information systems that aid the decision-making process.

Evidence of contribution to major transformation and building teams at a time of
change.

Experience of leading large teams of people across all IT & Digital functions;

Experience of working closely with senior executives to develop organisational
strategy;

Experience of the effective identification, selection and implementation of new
technology across an organisation;

Experience of negotiating effectively with a wide range of executives both
internally and externally;
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Knowledge

Comprehensive understanding of all core IT & Digital functions. Specifically:
I. Architecture Management;
II. Delivery Management;
III. Service Management;

How an effective IT & Digital department is run including:
I. Roles required and typical skills frameworks adopted;
II. Standard processes and industry bodies e.g. ITIL, Prince2 etc.;
III. Standard software packages (IT for IT);
IV. Industry good practice governance.

Policing practices and processes;

IT & Digital supplier community – general and Policing specific;

New technologies, future IT & Digital trends and their impact on policing;

Appropriate technology legislation;

Comprehensive understanding of strategic relationship management;

Understanding of a broad range of technologies –
o
Applications;
o
Infrastructure;
o
Information;

Comprehensive understanding of effective Portfolio, Programme and Project
Management;

Understanding of Financial Management;
Skills

Demonstrable leadership ability in a complex and constantly evolving IT & Digital
environment;

Ability to inspire and motivate large teams/departments;

Ability to effectively influence at an executive level across the public sector;

Exceptional interpersonal and communication skills and the ability to confidently
interact and empathise with the executive team and colleagues alike;

Exceptional decision making abilities;

Excellent presentation skills and the ability to effectively articulate an outcome in
the context of Policing;

The ability to cope and work under significant pressure;

The ability to effectively manage the often competing demands and priorities of
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key stakeholders;

Ability to work and collaborate effectively with suppliers;

Ability to effectively and quickly prioritise strategic and tactical initiatives;

Excellent negotiation skills;

Excellent financial management skills;

Capability to exercise good judgement and influence senior stakeholders to ensure
that the right outcomes for the Force are arrived at;

Ability to chair and /or take a lead role on local, regional and national conferences

Strong problem solving skills;

Ability to gather and assimilate information quickly and understand it’s impact;

Demonstrable ability to listen, receive feedback, evaluate feedback and act on it
as required;

Able to delegate where appropriate;

Ability to develop others;

Ability to translate the Force’s vision into IT & Digital’s vision, objectives and
programmes of work.
Primary Functional
/ SFIA
Competencies
Skill
Desired Level
GOVN
IT Governance
VII
The establishment and oversight of an
organisation’s approach to the use of
Information and IT, including acceptance
of responsibilities in respect of both supply
of, and demand for IT; strategic plans for
IT, which satisfy the needs of the
organization’s business strategy (which, in
turn, takes into account the current and
future capabilities of IT); transparent
decision making, leading to valid reasons
for IT acquisitions with appropriate balance
between benefits, opportunities, costs, and
risks; provision of IT services, levels of
service and service quality which meet
current and future business requirements;
policies and practices for conformance
with mandatory legislation and regulations,
which demonstrate respect for the current
and evolving needs of all stakeholders.
Leads development and communication of the
organisation's
policies
for
corporate
governance of information. Contributes to
strategic plans for IT, which satisfy the current
and ongoing needs of the organization’s
business strategy, and the current and future
capabilities of IT. Promotes clear decision
making, leading to valid reasons for IT
acquisitions. Monitors provision of IT services,
levels of service and service quality. Assures
that the organisation's business processes
are compliant with relevant legislation, and
that the organisation operates according to
the principles embedded in relevant
standards. Promotes IT policies, practices
and decisions which recognise the current
and evolving needs of all the stakeholders.
RLMT
Stakeholder
Management
Relationship VII
During the design, management and
implementation of business change and
throughout the service lifecycle, the
analysis and coordination of relationships
with and between
Head of IT & Digital
Is responsible for defining the strategic
approach to understanding the needs of the
business (demand management) and works
with suppliers to meet these needs.
Establishes and promotes the overall vision
for how IT can support the business. Defines,
and gains agreement on, the principles for
establishing effective relationships between
stakeholders, including responsibility for the
relationship between IT functions and end
users.
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CNSL
Consultancy
VII
The
provision
of
advice
and
recommendations, based on expertise and
experience, to address client needs. May
deal with one specific aspect of IT and the
business, or can be wide ranging and
address strategic business issues. May
also include support for
Takes responsibility for a significant
consultancy practice, including prac-tice
development, proposals/sales to internal or
external clients, account management and
managing the delivery of consultancy services
over a wide range of IT, and IT-related topics.
Secondary
Functional / SFIA
Competencies
Skill
Desired Level
POMG
Portfolio Management
VII
The development and application of a
systematic management framework to
define and deliver a portfolio of
programmes, projects and ongoing
services, in support of specific business
strategies and objectives. Includes the
implementation of a strategic investment
appraisal and decision making process
based on a clear understanding of cost,
risk, inter-dependencies, and impact on
existing business activities, enabling
measurement and objective evaluation of
potential changes and the benefits to be
realised. The prioritisation of resource
utilisation and changes to be implemented.
The regular review of portfolios.
Leads the definition, implementation and
review of the organisation’s portfolio
management framework. Authorises the
structure of portfolios and is responsible for
alignment with business strategy & business
objectives.
Makes
decisions
on
the
prioritisation of resources and the changes to
be
implemented.
Recommends
and
implements corrective action by engaging and
influencing senior management. Leads the
on-going monitoring and review of the
portfolio for cost, risk, inter-dependencies,
impact on current business activities and the
strategic benefits to be realised. Is
responsible for
implementing effective
portfolio governance arrangements supported
by effective reporting.
Attitude

Personal and professional credibility;

Positive and optimistic outlook;

Motivated to see the Force succeed;

Open and honest;

Problem solver;

Willing to lead by example;

A strong team player with a ‘can do’ attitude;

Resilient;

Self-motivated with the ability to multi task and work well under pressure.
Training & Education
An IT related qualification at a minimum of Degree level, or demonstrable specialist skills
in an IT/Digital environment and business management;
An ITIL related qualification;
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A project/programme management qualification;
A management or leadership qualification;
Special Circumstances
The post holder must be able to work from alternate locations in line with business need.
The post holder must be able to work away from home for extended periods as required.
A large degree of flexibility is required where rota management is required and/or
extended hours are proposed. It is suggested that this role requires a flexibility of
approach to working hours.
The post holder may be required to provide ‘out of hours’ availability for which the
appropriate allowance will be paid.
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