Cumbria County Council

Page 1 of 4September 2013

Role
profile

Post:Assistant Director–Business Services

Responsible to:Corporate Director –Resources and Transformation

Job purpose:

  • Be an active member of Cumbria County Council’s Corporate Leadership Team
  • To lead ICT, Business Improvement, Procurement & Commissioning and Traded Services service areas
  • To lead the service area by turning strategy into successful delivery.
  • Support and continuously improve the service, focusing on providing high qualityservices and advice to our customers.
  • Build the reputation of Cumbria County Council with Cumbrian residents and stakeholders.
  • To set corporate standards of behaviour

Principal accountabilities

Corporate Leadership

  • Provide ownership of corporate leadership plans and ambitions.
  • Ensure support for allcounty councillors in carrying out their roles

Directorate Leadership

  • Enhance the performance of the Directorate and Council by working closely with corporate colleagues to meet the Council’s corporate objectives
  • Act as adviser to the county council on policy matters, supporting the Corporate Director and our councillors by developing and implementing plans that result in high quality service delivery.
  • Deputise for the Corporate Director as necessary.
  • Undertake such other duties as may be determined from time to time within the general scope and commensurate with the grade of the post.

The service

  • Lead the senior management team, taking overall strategic leadership and management responsibility, making sure resources are used effectively to deliver services.
  • Ensure staff engage fully and work with the whole organisation, encouraging a ‘one team’ work culture.
  • Provide a lead in risk management, emergency planning and business continuity in the service area, to make sure services continue.
  • Promote equal opportunities with our communities and our staff through personal example, open commitment and clear action.
  • Ensure value for money services by listening to local residents and leading by example to achieve the most efficient service design and delivery.
  • Ensure that the organisation has the information management and technology capacity, infrastructure and capability effectively in place to fully achieve its stated aims and priorities.
  • Ensure there are effective policy, management and activity in place across the Council and its wider partner organisations for the continuous review and improvement of all services, their quality, performance, and value for money.
  • Ensure that the Council is able to commission and procure goods and services effectively, ensuring both value for money and a positive outcome for communities across Cumbria in all respects.

Partner organisations

  • Take a lead role in developing partnerships, networks and relationships with stakeholders across Cumbria and the region, to deliver value for money and

ease of access to services for our customers.

Behaviours

Provide a leadership example by role modelling

the Council’s corporate behaviours:

  • Take responsibility for our actions
  • Demonstrate a positive, flexible attitude
  • Act with honesty and respect for others
  • Communicate in a clear and constructive way
  • Be committed to ‘One Team’.

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Person specification

Requirements
(based on role profile) / Essential / Desirable
Part 1 (to be demonstrated on the application form and by certificates)
Qualifications / An appropriate degree or equivalent
Relevant management qualification or demonstrable equivalent experience. / Post graduate degree / MBA
Experience / Extensive management experience at senior level in a large, complex and democratically accountable organisation.
Evidence of developing and delivering a performance culture and achieving significant change management programmes.
Direct involvement in leading the development of policy in a politically sensitive organisation.
A successful track record in developing effective working alliances together with a proven ability to network.
Experience developing external partnerships, with other organisations and stakeholders, to deliver key strategies and programmes.
Experience of customer engagement and advocacy in continually improving services.
A proven track record in delivering efficiencies and ensuring value for money services.
Requirements
(based on role profile) / Essential / Desirable
Part 2 (to be demonstrated at interview and other assessment techniques)
Knowledge / Substantial knowledge of local authority and wider public sector strategies and initiatives.
Skills /
Behaviours / Political awareness.
Demonstrable abilities in developing a vision, strategic thinking and planning solutions, showing an understanding of and responsiveness to the needs of communities.
Ability to lead, motivate, inspire and empower others, by example.
Demonstrable ability as a forward-thinker with an innovative approach, able to conceive, develop and implement new initiatives, and manage change.
First-class presentational skills.
Be committed to working as part of ‘one team’.
Ability to work under exceptional pressure.
An excellent, persuasive, clear and constructive communicator at all levels.
Ability to make decisions and take responsibility for actions
Excellent interpersonal skills: a strong networker able to build relationships with mutual confidence, honesty and respect.
Other / Ability to travel across Cumbria.

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