Job Description
Head of Business Systems & Development
Salary: £75,312 - £87,033 per annum (pro rata if part-time)
Grade: I
Contract Type: Permanent
Working Hours: 37 hours per week
About the Department
This new role sits within the ICT and Digital team in the Corporate Services Directorate, responsible for supporting and enabling the Council to deliver modern services through resilient technology infrastructure and a wide range of digital applications. The team works across council services, providing digital services to residents and service users while ensuring colleagues have the devices and systems needed to keep services running and improving.
About the Role
As Head of Business Systems & Development you will play a central role in delivering the council's strategic objectives by leading the management and operations of the Business Systems, Platform Development & Automation and Spatial Data teams. You will ensure these provisions work together to provide a cohesive enterprise architecture that continually innovates and keeps up with emerging technologies.
Scope of the role includes:
* Owning the council's Enterprise Architecture and Digital Roadmap, driving delivery in collaboration with colleagues
* Accountable for the development, deployment, and maintenance of business-critical applications and systems, ensuring they meet the needs of end-users and stakeholders.
* Driving the adoption of modern software development methodologies and practices, promoting agility and innovation in application development and delivery.
* Managing the Council's "digital front door" technology, ensuring residents and service users can access and transact with ease.
* Supply chain management of application, platform and automation tools including procurement and contracts.
* Leading the automation and development team, which incorporates developers and platform product owners to optimise the benefits of modern automation and AI tools.
* Ensuring the security of all applications, systems, and digital tools.
* Accountable for business systems resilience and continuity.
* Using performance metrics and dashboards to deliver continuous improvement.
* Budgetary and spend responsibility for Business Systems and Development operations, including staff and suppliers.
* Developing, motivating and retaining a high‑performing team and encouraging succession planning.
Responsibilities
Leading, planning, developing and delivering an expert professional Business Systems and Development service that ensures the Council's applications, platforms and digital development operations are highly available, functional and evolving, so that high‑standard services can be delivered on budget to colleagues, service users and residents. The role works closely with internal customers, stakeholders, corporate governance and suppliers. It is accountable for the development and delivery of the Enterprise Architecture and Digital Roadmap and for overall digital development that enables transformation.
What We're Looking For
* Successful track record of running ICT operational functions responsible for core and critical business systems and platforms in a large, complex organisation.
* Demonstrated experience of successfully leading, managing and developing an ICT service team, focusing on customer/colleague experience and high performance.
* Experience of developing and delivering an effective and secure digital estate to support wider business objectives.
* Detailed knowledge of cyber‑security requirements in a large, complex organisation.
* A strong technical understanding across local authority applications, platforms and digital tools; how they integrate to form an effective Enterprise Architecture.
* The ability to develop and translate strategy and objectives into roadmaps for real actions and outcomes.
Essential qualifications
Achieved or working towards ITIL and wider architectural standards.
DBS Check
Basic Level is required for this post.
Benefits of Working with Us
* Generous annual leave entitlement
* Local Government Pension Scheme
* Flexible and hybrid working opportunities (where applicable)
* Ongoing training and professional development
* Employee assistance programme and wellbeing support
* Staff discounts and local offers
* A supportive and inclusive working environment
Closing Date (Redeployment Only)
2nd April 2026
Closing Date (Internal & External)
19th April 2026
Interview Date
Week commencing 27th April 2026
Additional Information
If you have any questions about the role or interview process, please contact:
Paul Day Interim Chief Digital Officer
paul.day@thurrock.gov.uk | 01375 652856
Download Job Profile (PDF Document)
(Link to be provided)
About Us
Working at Thurrock Council gives you the opportunity to join an organisation that is changing at pace, one where you can make a real difference to the lives of the people we serve. Thurrock Council is moving towards a new community leadership approach, linking with local partners and communities as we shape our improvement for the years ahead. This is an exciting time to join us, to shape the future success of our changing organisation and to have a positive influence on our borough.
Equality, Diversity & Inclusion
Thurrock Council is committed to equal opportunities. As a Disability Confident Employer, disabled people will be offered an interview where they meet all essential criteria on the person specification. We serve a diverse community where people are different yet equal. Diversity underpins everything we do.
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