Purpose of the Post.
To ensure that the people of Gwynedd are central to everything we do.
To support the Head of Department in working with the Council's Management Team, other heads of department, elected members and external partnerships to ensure that the Council provides the highest quality services within the resources available to the residents of Gwynedd, and to ensure that that service reflects the Council's corporate policies and strategies.
Representing the Head of Department at meetings and events within the Council and in external forums as well as being an active member of the corporate Senior Managers Group.
Promote suitable performance management arrangements that exhibit clear results, so that areas for improvement and barriers can be identified and barriers to be overcome and encourage continuous improvement within the services that are directly overviewed.
To ensure tangible results in making the best use of the Council's resources, providing the best possible service to the customer, which aligns with the Council's priorities and responds directly to local needs.
Be a member of the departmental Management Team undertaking senior responsibility and overview of some of the Department's services.
Undertake specific overview functions within the Department in the areas of:
- Information Protection
- Health, Safety and Wellbeing
- Engagement
- Handling Complaints
- Equality
- Safeguarding Children and Vulnerable Adults
- Emergency Plans    
Responsibility for Resources.  .  . .e.g. staff, finances, equipment
General responsibility for the Digital Services which consists of approximately 80 officers.
Together with the digital services managers, responsibility for the Council's ICT budget of around £35M million per annum as well as capital and value projects of around £20M over a 10 year period.
Main Duties.
Providing Services
Encourage and support Service Managers and their teams to ensure the provision of high quality services to meet customer needs, within the resources available
Collaborate with other services and agencies to ensure an integrated approach to service delivery
Developing operational policies
Taking practical part in implementing strategic change
Leadership
As one of the Department's leaders and a member of the Senior Manager Group:
Leading, promoting and developing staff
Leading a transformation agenda
Developing and promoting the culture of the organisation
Collaborating with internal and external partners
Promoting a culture of continuous improvement
Planning and Review
Taking a leading role in business planning and review
Facilitate internal change and service review/development
Reviewing and challenging the performance of services within the Department
Corporate Programme
Transition between strategic and operational policies
Promoting the culture of one Council
Contributing to strategic development
Agree and deliver on manageable programme milestones
Promote and implement corporate policies and priorities e.g. horizontal themes convey a sense of working together to a single objective
KEY COMPETENCIES
(in addition to the Council's other corporate competencies)
Working within the political dimension
create effective connections/enable working appropriately across political boundaries
maintain effective relationships with elected members, the region and the Government
Leading on change and development of the organisation
act consistently with the Council's fundamental values in developing the culture
working with uncertainty, ambiguity and the inevitable nature of change
develop an appropriate use of power and power empowering staff and Managers to make decisions they could defend
contribute and take joint ownership of the development of the Department and the Council.
Maintain a personal perspective and self-knowledge
be willing to listen to and value the perspectives of others recognising their contribution to the improvement and change agenda
maintain a belief or belief in oneself
developing personal resilience, sustainability and emotional awareness
keep a sense of humour
Developing and enabling effective partnerships and external relationships
being a champion of local authority, local government and local democracy
co-ordinating effective public and private partnerships for strategic development and service delivery
working with communities and other agencies
collaborate internally within the Council, regionally and nationally
use the press and media effectively to obtain an appropriate profile
Keeping track of strategic and long-term issues
looking to the future creating awareness of potential situations
developing, maintaining and promoting a strategic vision/view for the organisation and the local area
be aware of the organization's strategic capability
Leadership and Performance Management
supporting a culture focused on performing well, innovating and serving our customers
recognising and resolving situations of underperformance
continuous improvement across all service areas
Leading and Managing People
Motivate and encourage teams and individuals
Offer direction and feedback
Creating an atmosphere of respect
Effectively transmitting vision to teams and individuals
Effective delegation of work
Recognise and understand other responses to specific situations whilst focusing on service delivery
Ensuring a safe environment for team members to develop by taking risks
Recognising and understanding the potential harm done when conflicts are not promptly addressed
About Us
Sharing and listening to information, opinions and ideas
Communicate effectively verbally and in writing
Understand that good communication can be a powerful tool to increase motivation
Choosing and using appropriate means of communication and media for a range of audiences
Possess effective interpersonal communication skills
Understanding the dangers of working from assumptions
Appreciate the feelings of others and understand the importance of inclusion and consultation
Be able to communicate effectively in Welsh and English.
Self-management
Proactive
Accept responsibility for actions
Providing stability in times of change
Possess high levels of self-awareness
Show honesty
Emotionally resilient and aware
Prioritise tasks and make effective use of time
Proving public value
MAIN AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY
This section outlines the main responsibilities of the role. It is not an exhaustive list, and duties may change from time to time without altering the nature or level of responsibility.
Strategic Digital Leadership
Lead the development of the Authority’s Digital Plan, working closely with the Chief Executive, Head of Department, officers and Elected Members.
Develop a clear and integrated strategy for digital services that supports the Digital Plan.
Define and communicate a clear vision for the Council’s information technology and digital services.
Ensure effective governance and delivery of projects within the Digital Plan.
Oversight and Management of Digital Services
Support the Head of Department to assess the digital needs of all Council services and collaborate with managers to develop effective solutions.
Directly manage the following service areas:
-Infrastructure: cyber security, networks, server environment, cloud technologies, voice systems and contact channels.
-Support Services: service desk, desktop and mobile technologies, Microsoft 365, applications and data platforms.
-Development Unit: design, delivery and maintenance of digital systems, including generating income through selling solutions to other Authorities.
-Digital Learning Service: full technical support for schools across the County.
-Programme Office: programme management, procurement, administration and contracts.
Performance and Service Quality Assurance
Plan, monitor and evaluate service performance to ensure high standards and continuous improvement.
Optimise the use of resources (financial, technical and information) to ensure value for money.
Support and develop digital transformation programmes across the Council to improve processes, customer experience and operational efficiency.
Ensure the Authority’s digital infrastructure is robust, sustainable and aligned with strategic objectives.
Governance, Compliance and Risk
Ensure compliance with security standards including PSN accreditation and Cyber Assessment Framework requirements.
Ensure business continuity and disaster recovery plans are in place and regularly tested.
Lead the response to major incidents such as cyber-attacks, infrastructure failures or other emergencies.
Contribute to meeting the Council’s statutory responsibilities under the Local Government and Elections (Wales) Act 2021 and the Well-being of Future Generations (Wales) Act 2015.
People Management and Team Development
Lead, mentor and develop staff and managers to ensure they reach their full potential.
Set clear objectives and monitor progress through robust performance management arrangements.
Provide direction and support to sustain a positive, professional and respectful working environment.
Delegate effectively and strengthen the organisation’s capacity to solve problems and respond to challenges.
Collaboration, Partnerships and Corporate Influence
Work effectively within the Council’s political framework and maintain constructive relationships with officers, Members and external agencies.
Develop strong public and private sector partnerships to support strategic development and service improvement.
Ensure corporate policy principles are consistently applied across the service.
Support the Head of Department in developing and delivering the Departmental Business Plan.
Information Management, Safety and Legal Compliance
Ensure compliance with Data Protection legislation and the Council’s information governance standards.
Maintain safe working practices in accordance with statutory health and safety requirements and corporate policies.
Commit to reducing the Council’s carbon footprint and promoting sustainable practices.
Report promptly any concerns relating to the safeguarding of children or vulnerable adults.
Other Duties
Undertake any other reasonable duties aligned with the role’s grade and level of responsibility.
Maintain responsibility for continuous professional development.
Special Circumstances.  . . . e.g. need to work unsocial hours, special work arrangements, etc.
As the Council's computer function operates on a 24-hour basis, 7 days a week, unsocial and weekend working hours will be required from time to time and out of hours contact details will be recorded and used in the event of an emergency.