Job title: Director of Digital, Data and Technology (DDaT)
Dept/Project/Service: Technology
Reports to: Chief Executive
Responsible for: Three direct reports (Technology Solutions Manager, Service Operations Manager and IT Portfolio Manager) and extended team of circa 20.
With potential for oversight of Applications, Data, PMO, Infrastructure, security
Functional (matrix) responsibility for Technology resources within delivery teams (including internationally)
Usual office base: Reading / Flexible
Grade: Leadership Team
Salary: Up to £130,000 (depending upon experience)
Job Purpose
Responsible for delivering the technology strategy and for leading the Technology function across the EDT group. The role works across geographies (Africa, Asia, Middle East and Europe) to provide fit-for-purpose, robust and secure technology services and to develop technology solutions that enhance the Trust’s capability to win new business, deliver educational impact and client satisfaction, and govern and manage a complex international charitable business. EDT is in the process of delivering a technology Transformation Programme as a key component of its 2024 Strategy; and in this new role the Director DDaT will play a key role working with the CEO to deliver the transformation and on-going technology strategy, playing a key role in the leadership of the organisation.
Job Objectives
- Works closely with the Chief Executive, and as a member of the Leadership Team, to play an integral role in the leadership and management of the business. Generally articulates the corporate strategy and business model to the team and other stakeholders; helps people to see their role within it; and consistently delivers inspiring and engaging messages about EDT’s future direction.
- Develops and delivers the technology strategy and plans to ensure the technology environment continues to help EDT achieve its objectives, and meet current and future business needs. In particular, works closely with the Chief Executive and other senior stakeholders to deliver the technology Transformation Programme as part of the 2021-24 Strategy.
- Defines, creates and maintains EDT’s overarching technology environment, including architecture, roadmap, governance, data management, applications support and maintenance, infrastructure, services, security and PMO.
- Ensures expert and timely advice and guidance is available to decision makers, and that relevant input on technology aspects is factored into all significant business decisions – including new business / bids, and new software applications in general.
- Delivers a people-centred, purpose driven approach to transformation, and ensures that design solutions meet the business need and have ownership from stakeholders to ensure successful outcomes.
- Oversees technology change across EDT, ensuring there is a balanced portfolio of technology change projects targeted at delivering valuable outcomes, an integrated organisation, that governance / change control standards are applied, and that agreed and effective outputs are delivered on time and within budget.
- Owns EDT’s technology policies and standards – including security and change control – ensuring they remain current, monitoring compliance, managing risk and internal audit. Ensures robust EDT has a robust security framework to protect the business from cyber security risk, respond effectively to threats and breaches, and channel incidents into learning and continuous improvement. Collaborates with policy owners / colleagues on related areas such as data protection, disaster recovery / business continuity and cyber insurance to ensure the technology function fully supports other relevant crossorganisation governance and assurance objectives.
- Oversees an infrastructure / service operations function that is customer-focused, reliable and efficient. Ensures appropriate balance between service (to users) and cost, and channels learnings from incidents into continuous improvement. Creates sufficient visibility of infrastructure and security developments (plans and achievements) to maintain organisational confidence in the technology function.
- Builds and maintains a high capability team with a strong culture aligned with EDT’s Values of collaboration, excellence (including continuous learning), inclusion, integrity and accountability.
- Takes responsibility for the relationship with key service providers – ensuring the technology function acts as expert buyer for all technology products and services, and manages supply contracts and relationships to deliver quality provision that meets the EDT’s business needs, at an efficient cost.
- Ensures technology performance and achievements are visible to stakeholders (Trustees, Leadership Team, staff) through regular, targeted reporting of plans, KPIs, incident management, change portfolio delivery, etc.
- Manages the technology budget to ensure the function is appropriately and efficiently resourced to deliver its agreed objectives, and that actual expenditure meets budget targets. Generally ensures strong emphasis on continuous improvement, efficiency and value for money; promoting financial and budgetary discipline and internal financial control.
- The role is part of the organisation’s Leadership Team, contributing to strategy development and business change.
Scope: Occasional UK and international travel.