Job summary An exciting opportunity is available for a Head of IT who will be responsible for contract managing First Communitys outsourced IT provision, to work with colleagues and executive team to develop and deliver an IT strategy and roadmap fit to meet the transforming organisation, system and neighbourhood needs to meet the governments digital ambition for healthcare as well as to embed the significant digital changes made over the past couple years. This is an exciting opportunity to be able to interface between operations and IT whether its resolving day to day issues or part of new transformational projects which need IT to enable the service change. Main duties of the job The post holder is required to have close working relationships with key stakeholders, internal colleagues and service providers to meet the customers and business requirements through continuously measuring and improving service levels. The successful candidate will be educated to Masters level or have an equivalent level of experience of working at a senior level in IT. Demonstrable experience with IT service or IT contract management, continuous service improvement processes, strong people management and interpersonal skills are required. The post holder must have excellent communication, customer engagement and team working skills and the ability to negotiate, influence and facilitate effective interaction with key internal and external stakeholders and suppliers to a very senior level. About us Do you want to be part of an organisation that was rated best provider of NHS care to work for nationwide? (2023 staff survey results) First Community is a staff owned social enterprise rated Good by CQC, which delivers NHS community services across east Surrey and parts of West Sussex. We are looking for individuals who share our values First-rate care, First-rate people, First-rate value. First Community is a great place to work, everyone has a voice and is supported to develop their career to its full potential. We offer all our staff: NHS terms and conditions, high quality training and development opportunities, flexible working to enable a good work life balance, an inclusive and friendly work environment, an NHS pension, flexible retirement options and various employee benefits. Please talk to us before applying or at interview about the flexibility you need. We may not be able to meet your needs exactly, but we do promise to fully consider your request and meet your needs where possible. Please note, flexible working options may vary depending on the role. At First Community we welcome applications from black, Asian and minority ethnic candidates, LGBTQ candidates and candidates with disabilities. We ensure that all applicants are treated fairly and consistently at every stage of the recruitment process, including the consideration of reasonable adjustments. Sustainability is integral to First Community achieving the NHS Net Zero target. Date posted 26 February 2025 Pay scheme Agenda for change Band Band 8b Salary £62,215 to £72,293 a year 5% HCAS per annum, pro rata Contract Permanent Working pattern Full-time, Flexible working Reference number B9078-FC1027 Job locations First Community Health & Care Bonehurst Road Redhill RH1 5EL Consort House Queensway Redhill RH1 1YB Job description Job responsibilities The Head of IT will be responsible for contributing to and realising the Information Technology and Digital strategy for First Community, in accordance with principles and objectives of First Community to achieve its strategic aims and business objectives. The post holder is responsible for managing the IT provision of First Community, primarily through the mechanism of service targets contained within IT contracts with strategic suppliers. The post holder will work collaboratively with key partner organisations including all local NHS organisations, plus the County Council, other Health and Care and Regulated Sector organisations, patients, clinicians, and other practitioners. Job description Job responsibilities The Head of IT will be responsible for contributing to and realising the Information Technology and Digital strategy for First Community, in accordance with principles and objectives of First Community to achieve its strategic aims and business objectives. The post holder is responsible for managing the IT provision of First Community, primarily through the mechanism of service targets contained within IT contracts with strategic suppliers. The post holder will work collaboratively with key partner organisations including all local NHS organisations, plus the County Council, other Health and Care and Regulated Sector organisations, patients, clinicians, and other practitioners. Person Specification Experience Essential Should have an appreciation of the relationship between the Department of Health, NHS England and individual provider and commissioning organisations. Experience of collaborative working across organisational boundaries and levels and with different professional groups. Desirable Member of relevant professional body. Demonstrable experience of strategy development and liaison at senior level. Significant demonstrable experience at management level within IT environment in a large organisation. Significant demonstrable management experience of implementing complex IT change. Have experience of working in a digital strategy and transformation capacity within the NHS. Knowledge Essential Experience of the negotiation and management of high value hardware, software, and service contracts with IT suppliers. Demonstrable experience of producing and presenting business cases for IT investment, including examples of successfully gaining funding approval. Ability to review and redesign IT Systems, services, and contracts to achieve strategic and financial benefits to the organisation. Extensive knowledge of IM&T/Digital. Knowledge of Service Management and Service Delivery principles, specifically experience of working in an ITIL compliant organisation and working with an ITIL compliant operating model. Knowledge of Prince2 project management methodology or equivalent. Knowledge of MSP programme management methodology or equivalent. Knowledge of CISM security management methodology or equivalent. Knowledge of Risk Management (MoM) methodology or equivalent. Other Essential Must be able to use initiative to decide relevant actions and make recommendations to Sponsor/ Manager, with the aim of improving deliverables and compliance to policies. Ability to make decisions autonomously, when required, on difficult issues, working to tight and often changing timescales. Ability to question, challenge and influence assumptions across professional and organisational boundaries. Desirable Formal training of strategic change within public sector. Qualifications Essential Educated to masters level or equivalent level of experience of working at a senior level in relevant specialist area. Extensive knowledge of specialist areas, acquired through post graduate diploma or equivalent experience or training plus further specialist knowledge or experience to masters level equivalent. Evidence of post qualifying and continuing professional development. Cyber Qualification or Equivalent. Experience of IM&T security products and Services, proficient in the interpretation of Malware and other Virus related attacks. Desirable Membership of the NHS Cyber Associates Network (CAN). Skills Essential Must be able to provide and receive highly complex, sensitive or contentious information, negotiate with senior stakeholders on difficult and controversial issues, and present complex and sensitive information to large and influential groups. Negotiate on difficult and controversial issues including performance and change. High level of problem solving skills and ability to respond to sudden unexpected demands. Able to understand and work within the complexity of IT and translate into understandable knowledge. Ability to analyse complex facts and situations and develop a range of options. Takes decisions on difficult and contentious issues where there may be a number of courses of action. Strategic thinking ability to anticipate and resolve problems before they arise. Demonstrated capability to plan over short, medium and long-term timeframes and adjust plans and resource requirements accordingly. Mental Effort: able to be frequently interrupted during tasks and have intense concentration when carrying out technical work. Mental Effort: High level of work organisation, self-motivation, Determination, perseverance, and resilience with flexibility in approach and attitude. Emotional Effort: able to occasionally impart unwelcome news to staff, stakeholders, staff exposed to difficult meetings. Person Specification Experience Essential Should have an appreciation of the relationship between the Department of Health, NHS England and individual provider and commissioning organisations. Experience of collaborative working across organisational boundaries and levels and with different professional groups. Desirable Member of relevant professional body. Demonstrable experience of strategy development and liaison at senior level. Significant demonstrable experience at management level within IT environment in a large organisation. Significant demonstrable management experience of implementing complex IT change. Have experience of working in a digital strategy and transformation capacity within the NHS. Knowledge Essential Experience of the negotiation and management of high value hardware, software, and service contracts with IT suppliers. Demonstrable experience of producing and presenting business cases for IT investment, including examples of successfully gaining funding approval. Ability to review and redesign IT Systems, services, and contracts to achieve strategic and financial benefits to the organisation. Extensive knowledge of IM&T/Digital. Knowledge of Service Management and Service Delivery principles, specifically experience of working in an ITIL compliant organisation and working with an ITIL compliant operating model. Knowledge of Prince2 project management methodology or equivalent. Knowledge of MSP programme management methodology or equivalent. Knowledge of CISM security management methodology or equivalent. Knowledge of Risk Management (MoM) methodology or equivalent. Other Essential Must be able to use initiative to decide relevant actions and make recommendations to Sponsor/ Manager, with the aim of improving deliverables and compliance to policies. Ability to make decisions autonomously, when required, on difficult issues, working to tight and often changing timescales. Ability to question, challenge and influence assumptions across professional and organisational boundaries. Desirable Formal training of strategic change within public sector. Qualifications Essential Educated to masters level or equivalent level of experience of working at a senior level in relevant specialist area. Extensive knowledge of specialist areas, acquired through post graduate diploma or equivalent experience or training plus further specialist knowledge or experience to masters level equivalent. Evidence of post qualifying and continuing professional development. Cyber Qualification or Equivalent. Experience of IM&T security products and Services, proficient in the interpretation of Malware and other Virus related attacks. Desirable Membership of the NHS Cyber Associates Network (CAN). Skills Essential Must be able to provide and receive highly complex, sensitive or contentious information, negotiate with senior stakeholders on difficult and controversial issues, and present complex and sensitive information to large and influential groups. Negotiate on difficult and controversial issues including performance and change. High level of problem solving skills and ability to respond to sudden unexpected demands. Able to understand and work within the complexity of IT and translate into understandable knowledge. Ability to analyse complex facts and situations and develop a range of options. Takes decisions on difficult and contentious issues where there may be a number of courses of action. Strategic thinking ability to anticipate and resolve problems before they arise. Demonstrated capability to plan over short, medium and long-term timeframes and adjust plans and resource requirements accordingly. Mental Effort: able to be frequently interrupted during tasks and have intense concentration when carrying out technical work. Mental Effort: High level of work organisation, self-motivation, Determination, perseverance, and resilience with flexibility in approach and attitude. Emotional Effort: able to occasionally impart unwelcome news to staff, stakeholders, staff exposed to difficult meetings. Disclosure and Barring Service Check This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions. Employer details Employer name First Community Health and Care Address First Community Health & Care Bonehurst Road Redhill RH1 5EL Employer's website https://www.firstcommunityhealthcare.co.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)