Head of IT Operations

Requirements of the role

Job summary

Are you a visionary leader with a passion for people and technology? An exciting opportunity has arisen for you to join the ICO as a dynamic and strategic people leader. Reporting to the Director of Digital and IT, you will lead and inspire a talented, multi-skilled team across IT Helpdesk, Major Incident Management, and Infrastructure Support.

You’ll drive innovative strategies, foster a culture of excellence, and champion flexible working practices to boost team performance and engagement. You will have the opportunity to work flexibly which can include compressed hours and alternative working patterns, whilst achieving remarkable organisational goals.

The Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) is the independent regulator of information rights. In a data-driven world, we provide advice, guidance, and support to organisations enabling compliance with their obligations, as well as protecting individuals and their personal data.

As an employer, we are passionate about making a positive difference to the lives and careers of our people, and we empower you to be curious, impactful, collaborative and respectful.

Job description

The purpose of the post is to lead the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) IT Operations department.

The Head of IT Operations leads a team whose day to day responsibilities include active management of IT services in areas including IT Helpdesk, Major Incident Management, Applications monitoring, Change Management, Problem Management and Infrastructure Support.

The role will work closely with stakeholders and IT specialists to ensure adequate and appropriate IT policies and procedures are deployed across the ICO’s overall IT landscape.

The post holder supports the alignment of business objectives and the Digital and IT strategy from an operational perspective. A key outcome for the role is ensuring the ICO is continually at the forefront in the delivery of Digital and IT services, procedures and technology.

In addition, the role will work closely with the Head of Digital Design and Delivery, Head of Product and the Head of Cyber Security which all report to the Director of Digital and IT.

Key responsibilities:

• Manage IT Operations activity to support the delivery of the ICO’s digital and IT objectives outlined in the ICO’s strategic plans.
• Provide leadership to teams within the ICO.  This may be through the direct management of staff or through collaboration with teams and IT specialists on the delivery of Digital and IT plans that delivers effective and efficient services.
• Continually review digital and IT requirements and deliverables against the emerging requirements, ICO strategic plans and other business plans / targets to ensure that technology, staff and resources are appropriately delivered.
• Understand the evolving digital and IT landscape and organisational objectives in order to identify emerging operational challenges and opportunities.
• Lead on the IT governance and improvement service.
• Manage the documentation of the current and future Digital an IT services.
• Identify opportunities for continuous improvement in the IT Operations function and recommend appropriate strategies to ICO teams, the Director of Digital and IT, or appropriate governance boards
• Engage with relevant external stakeholders, collaborating where appropriate, to develop suitable Digital and IT solutions in areas of common concern or joint working.

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