Head of Transformation and Digital

Some key information

• Based at County Hall, Taunton. Flexible / Hybrid working by agreement
• This pivotal role leads transformation, service design digital initiatives, driving Somerset Council towards operational excellence, efficiency and a culture of innovation and continuous improvement.
• Our aim is to become a leader in the fields of Transformation and Digital within local government.

What will I be doing?

Somerset Council is on a mission to redefine how local government works - driven by data, powered by digital, and designed around people.

We are seeking a bold, future-focused leader to help drive our transformation agenda, harness emerging technologies and build smarter, more connective public services.

Are you passionate about driving change and innovation? Do you have the vision and skills to shape and redesign (modernise) the future of public services? Do you have experience of Agile methodologies and iterative ways of working to implement organisation wide Transformation Programmes?

Somerset Council is looking for a dynamic, inspirational and experienced individual to lead our transformation and digital service. This is a pivotal role that will have a significant impact on the Council's ability to deliver high-quality, innovative services to the people and communities of Somerset, while also delivering efficiency savings for the organisation.

What We Are Looking For:

We are seeking a strategic leader with a proven track record in driving organisational transformation, service design and digital initiatives, using Agile and iterative ways of working. The ideal candidate will have strong leadership and management skills, excellent communication and interpersonal abilities, and a deep understanding of digital transformation principles and practices. Experience in the public sector or a similar environment is highly desirable.

As the Head of Transformation & Digital, you will be responsible for:

• Strategic Leadership and Vision: Helping develop and articulate a clear vision for organisational and digital transformation aligned with the Council's overall vision and priorities. Guiding our organisation to work as one to deliver against them in a positive and collaborative environment.
• Programme Development and Execution: Designing and delivering comprehensive strategies and programmes that drive organisational change, digital transformation and service design across the Council.
• Collaboration and Stakeholder Engagement: Working collaboratively with Service Directors, Executive Leadership, stakeholders, and external partners to co-create and drive the organisational transformation strategy. You will have the ability to communicate and engage with stakeholders of all levels in a clear, compelling and creative way.
• Innovation and Continuous Improvement: Helping to foster a culture of innovation, learning and continuous improvement within the Council's services, encouraging the adoption of best practices and new technologies. Helping to develop an organisation that is dynamic and challenges itself to rethink the way we've always done things.
• Change Management and Capability Building: Leading and managing change initiatives, ensuring they are effectively communicated and adopted across the organisation. Commissioning and building capability. Creating an environment where we work together across the Council and beyond to redesign how we operate and deliver services, ensuring that teams have the knowledge and ability to confidently managing and lead change moving forward.

What kind of experience or qualifications do I need?

We offer ongoing support, training and guidance to help you be the best you can be. But it will really help if you have:

• Strong leadership and management abilities to drive organisational change and digital transformation initiatives effectively.
• Proven experience in leading digital transformation and service design initiatives and managing large-scale projects and budgets.
• Experience of working using Agile methodologies and delivering complex programmes that deliver clear benefits early.
• Demonstrated success in engaging and managing stakeholders, fostering strong relationships and partnerships at all levels.
• A track record of fostering a culture of innovation and continuous improvement within an organisation, breaking down siloes and encouraging a one team approach
• Experience in the public sector or a similar environment, with an understanding of public sector operations and challenges.

We're proud to be here for the people of Somerset. And that means everyone in Somerset. An important part of this is ensuring that we are as diverse and inclusive as the people and communities we serve.

We welcome applications from a diverse range of backgrounds and experiences to enrich our team. You can always contact the hiring manager for a chat if there's anything you want to talk about before you apply.

What's in it for me?

We are proud to offer an environment that is supportive and rewarding, working as part of a team who are passionate about the work they do to improve the lives of people in Somerset.

We offer great training and development opportunities, with supportive management. As well as this, we have some fantastic employee benefits available:

• We promote a healthy work-life balance and offer flexible working arrangements wherever possible, including working from home.
• Generous annual leave allowance, with the opportunity to purchase additional leave
• Staff discounts in gyms.
• Employee Assistance for the times you may need some support and a variety of employee wellbeing services.
• Auto enrolment onto our generous Pension Scheme and optional pension enhancement through our Additional Voluntary Contribution scheme.
• A Flexible Benefits Scheme via salary sacrifice to obtain a cycle for work and health screenings.
• My Staff Shop offering discounts in shops, online shopping, restaurants, cinema tickets, insurance benefits and more

Anything else I should know?

For an informal chat about the role, you can contact Sara Cretney, Service Director Strategy, Performance and Communications, sara.cretney@somerset.gov.uk.

Join Us:

If you are ready to take on this exciting challenge and make a real difference in Somerset, we would love to hear from you. Apply now and be part of a team that is dedicated to transforming public services and improving the lives of our residents.

We look forward to welcoming you to Somerset Council!

When completing your application/CV please provide your full employment history and ensure that any gaps in employment are explained. Please start with your current or most recent employment.

If you have all the information you need, just hit the apply button - we can't wait to hear from you.

A bit more about Somerset Council

Why Work at Somerset Council?

At Somerset Council, we are committed to making a positive difference in the lives of our residents. We offer a supportive and inclusive work environment where you can thrive and grow. Our team is dedicated to fostering a culture of innovation and continuous improvement, and we value the contributions of every employee. Our goal is to become the market leader in the fields of Service Design, Digital and Transformation in local government, can you help us do that? Join us and be part of a forward-thinking organisation that is dedicated to excellence and making a real impact.