Job Description

JOB TITLE:Digital & Web Technology Platforms Manager

GRADE:Manager

DEPT/TEAM:Operations – Future Media & Technology

REPORTS TO:Head of Future Media and Technology

PURPOSE OF ROLE:

To ensure the delivery of effective online and digital assets and platforms to underpin Comic Relief’s campaigns and other activities. To operate an effective programme office for the development and deployment of applications and technical initiatives across all aspects of Comic Relief’s business.

1. Digital & Web Technology Platforms

  • Own the development of Comic Relief’s overall architecture for its Digital & Web Technology Platforms, ensuring that there are systems in place to support both campaign activities, as well as ongoing business requirements.
  • Ensure the effective use and re-use of both code and hardware assets through campaigns so that they are built on a persistent platform to minimise the need for redevelopment and campaign expenditure on capital items and systems development.
  • Be responsible for the development and maintenance of a ‘system strategy’ that encompasses all of Comic Relief’s activities, supporting CRM, Data, Digital, Finance and Web.
  • Maintain a keen perspective on the state of the art in digital and web technology. Identify and develop opportunities for Comic Relief to use digital and web technology in its campaigns and other communications, and maintain its position as a digital and technology leader in its sector.
  • Ensure that Comic Relief’s websites, online functionality and other digital assets deliver the requirements of our Campaigns and other communications in a timely and effective manner.
  • Maximise the opportunities to Comic Relief that can be gained through online and digital media partners by establishing and maintaining effective relationships.
  • Work closely with the Digital Production Manager to identify and develop the solutions required to support Comic Relief’s ambitions in the digital space, including both internal and external applications.
  • Work closely with the Senior Manager IT Operations to ensure that solutions proposed are fully compatible with Comic Relief’s internal network and security policies.
  • Work closely with the Data Manager to ensure that solutions proposed and developed are fully compatible with Comic Relief’s data architecture and data management policies.
  • Support the Head of Future Media & Technology in developing a strategy for Comic Relief’s use of Digital and Web Technology.

2. Technology Programme Management

  • Oversee the provision and evolution of technology platforms that underpin Comic Relief’s online system activities and maintain relevant existing or new Technology Partnerships to ensure a continued and evolving platform strategy.
  • Identify the necessary resources and plan the effective deployment of personnel, partners and technology to ensure the operational functionality of our campaign initiatives.
  • With Head of Future Media and Technology, and F&MT Management Team, agree the approach to systems and application development that is strategically ambitious and operationally deliverable
  • Manage the programme of systems and application development and delivery that enable our organisational strategies, both in support of our campaign and other external objectives and for operational use
  • Oversee the portfolio of development work, keeping a particular view of capacity management, risks, supporting stakeholder communications and trouble-shooting as required
  • With the appropriate technical project manager, ensure that our significant high-volume, high-availability donations system is appropriately and strategically developed and tested before the big campaign uses
  • Oversee the Technical Project Management team to ensure that the systems and applications required to drive our online campaign operations are developed in an integrated and professional manner, using effective systems and processes at all levels.

3. Other Business Activities

  • Work with all areas of the business as appropriate to provide technical project management or application developer support in the development of in-house and other technical assets or systems.
  • Input into the technological aspects of operational planning across all aspects of the business.

4. General

  • Line manage a team of Technical Project Managers, Application Developers and the System Architect.
  • Work with the Head of Future Media and Technology to be an active member of the FM&T management team, taking advantage of new opportunities and ensuring that Comic Relief’s use of technology matches the wider organisational strategy
  • Make a full contribution to the overall management of Comic Relief as a member of the Senior Management team.
  • Maximise any appropriate opportunities to add value to Comic Relief by securing sponsorship, gifts in kind or other donations.
  • Undertake such other appropriate duties, including cross-departmental or cross organisational roles, as may be required from time to time by the Head of Future Media and Technology.

PERSON SPECIFICATION FOR: Senior Digital and Web Technology ManagerGrade: Senior Manager

EXPERIENCE / WHY / IMP. / App / Int / Test / Test Format
Substantial experience managing digital media functions at a senior level in a high profile commercial environment. / The post-holder needs to maintain strong credibility in a fast-paced and demanding operational environment. / Ess. / 
Track record of delivery of large and complex technical projects. / The post-holder will be expected to ensure that Comic Relief’s on-the-night donation platforms, websites and other business operations are delivered in a timely and effective way. / Ess. / 
Management of teams of digital/web professionals and technical project managers. / Must be able to lead, manage and inspire a large team of skilled professionals working under pressure. / Ess. / 
Experience of using digital technology to support a range of business activities from front-end applications (e.g. fundraising) through to CRM, Data Reporting, Marketing and Social Networking. / Must understand how to ensure that digital assets and platforms are fit for purpose. / Ess. / 
JOB SKILLS / WHY / IMP. / App / Int / Test / Test Format
Personal Effectiveness / Must be a self-aware, effective decision-maker, able to advocate a course of action at a senior level and take personal responsibility for all aspects of delivery. / Ess. /  /  / Group exercise
Negotiating and influencing / Must be able to make excellent external and internal deals in order to maximise the effectiveness of technology for Comic Relief. / Ess. /  /  / Group exercise
People Management and Development / Must be able to lead, manage and motivate a large and diverse team of professionals working under high expectations, taking steps to ensure that adequate levels of knowledge and skill are maintained. / Ess. / 
Budget and resource management / Will be responsible for the effective deployment of substantial financial, human and physical resources, as well as the exploitation of resources leveraged through third parties. / Ess. /  /  / Group exercise
Operational risk management / Will be responsible for safeguarding Comic Relief’s operational effectiveness and for mitigating commercial and reputational risks. / Ess. / 
Problem-solving / Needs to be capable of identifying symptoms and underlying problems, considering a broad range of appropriate factors, and using sound judgment and analytical skills to determine solutions. / Ess. /  /  / Unseen exercise
Strategic Planning / Must be able to consider relevant external and internal factors and develop and implement strategic objectives to further Comic Relief’s vision and mission. / Ess. /  /  / Presentation exercise
Relationship Management / Must be competent and systematic in establishing, building and maintaining business relationships of substantial strategic value to Comic Relief. / Ess. / 
Project Management / Must be able to oversee the effective delivery of challenging and complex technical projects. / Ess. /  /  / Unseen exercise
Written and oral communications skills / Must be an accomplished communicator, able to produce succinct and effective written communications, make effective oral contributions in meetings and other face to face situations, and to produce and deliver compelling presentations to a range of audiences. / Ess. /  /  / Written and presentation exercises
KNOWLEDGE / WHY / IMP. / App / Int / Test / Test Format
An understanding of Diversity / In order to promote diversity throughout the organisation / Ess. / 
Some knowledge of the issues funded by Comic Relief / In order to be able to inspire self and others to be passionate about the work that Comic Relief does. / Des. / 
A recognised project-management qualification / In order to maintain credibility when overseeing the delivery of a wide range of complex technical projects. / Ess. / 
Working knowledge of ITIL and / or digital development methodologies / In order to ensure that the team operate effective processes / Des. /  / Unseen test
Deep technical understanding of digital media platforms, suppliers and architectures. / Must be capable of ensuring technical delivery in these areas and must have the ability to select and recommend partners and solutions appropriate for requirements. / Ess. /  / Unseen test
OTHER REQUIREMENTS / WHY / IMP. / App / Int / Test / Test Format
Occasional Unsociable Hours / In order to ensure that Campaign objectives and requirements are delivered on time. / Ess. / 
Occasional international travel / For commercial purposes or very occasionally to visit Comic Relief-funded projects in developing countries. / Des. / 