Head of IT Services
Join us and play a major role in shaping the future of our organisation
“This is an exciting time to join Torbay Council. Having embarked on a Council wide transformation programme that has been digitally led from the outset, we are now well down the road towards our target operating model. Winning ‘Most Improved Council’ at the national LGC awards last year, there is a great foundation upon which our new Head of IT Services can build.”Matthew Fairclough-Kay, Director of Corporate Services, Torbay Council
A message from the Director of Corporate Services
Dear candidate,
Thank you for your interest in this key leadership role here at Torbay Council.
I genuinely can't think of a better time to be part of the leadership team at Torbay. We have a real momentum with a once in a generation investment taking place across our three towns. The LGA have summarised this as our "moment in time". Our passion and drive to improve life for our residents goes beyond our council offices. The whole community is keen to see good ideas come to life and to take steps to help build resilient communities.
Torbay is a beautiful area to live and visit. We have a stunning natural landscape to be immensely proud of, but like a lot of coastal areas across the UK we have nationally significant levels of poverty. Our next Head of IT Services will need to support not only the organisation, but also these communities we serve. We aspire to first rate digital by default services supported by digital advocacy so no one is left behind.
The current head of service is retiring next year. The new role holder will be inheriting an area that has seen unprecedented investment since 2020, but still has some key challenges as we progressively modernise. Covering all IT provision for the Council and its companies as well as some commissioned services, the role is broad, and is supported by a diverse team of specialists.
I'm looking forward to working with the successful candidate to combine our expertise and commitment on behalf of the people of Torbay. We are an agile unitary authority and you'll soon discover that this is a place where you can make things happen quickly and where you can establish direct relationships with key stakeholders. It means that you will regularly need to get close to the detail and it also gives you true ownership of the agenda.
Torbay is a great place to live and work. This is a great role for a talented and ambitious person who has a passion for providing and supporting first class services.
Torbay is a great place to live and work. This is a great role for a talented and ambitious person who has a passion for providing and supporting first class services.
I look forward to receiving your application.
Should you wish to discuss the role in more detail, I encourage you to contact Gavin Dunphy, the incumbent on 01803 207454.
Matthew Fairclough-Kay
Director of Corporate Services
About the area
Torbay – the English Riviera – occupies a prime position on the south coast of Devon. It is a fantastic place to live, work and visit, offering an unrivalled quality of life for individuals and families. Torbay is made up of the three coastal towns of Torquay, Paignton and Brixham, each with a unique character. Our population is more than 135,000 making it the second largest urban area in Devon, Cornwall and Somerset.
We have a stunning natural environment with 22 miles of coastline. There is great access to the sea from a number of harbours and beaches with our communities also enjoying the benefits of an urban style of living.
Our coastline provides countless opportunities for outdoor activities. In the summer months you’ll always see plenty of activity: swimming, boating, kayaking, paragliding to name but a few. And if a more steady pace appeals to you then there’s plenty of opportunity to try your hand at fishing or just take in the stunning views on the South West Coast Path.
In addition, access to the countryside, Dartmoor and more remote parts of the county could not be easier. A new road infrastructure gives fast and reliable access to all parts of the UK, including Exeter and Bristol airports.
Our rich geological, historical and cultural heritage has gained and retained international recognition as a UNESCO Global Geopark since designation in 2007. Other jewels in the Torbay’s crown include Agatha Christie, Torre Abbey, a wonderful food and drink offer, many tourist attractions and a busy events calendar, including the Annual English Riviera Air Show and sailing events.
With a constant influx of visitors there is a fantastic range of restaurants and cafes to cater to all tastes. Unsurprisingly, there is plenty of fresh seafood on offer and we are known as England’s Seafood Coast.
We have high quality, high performing primary and secondary schools and South Devon College is recognised as one of the top further education colleges in England, with aspirations of achieving university status.
Whilst tourism and fishing will always be a central part of the local economy, that’s not the full picture. Torbay hosts globally significant technology businesses operating in photonics, marine industries, nanotechnology and medi-tech. That high-tech economy is central to our mission - to become a council that supports, enables and empowers its residents, its communities and its partnerships.
About the role
Head of IT Services
Becoming our Head of IT Services is a great career move for a leader who is ready to take on an expansive portfolio of vital IT services and a central corporate leadership role within Torbay Council.
You'll have broad responsibilities for the full range of IT services offered within the Council’s IT Service function including:
- Providing effective strategic direction, leadership and governance of all aspects of Information Technology and Systems. Ensuring the streamlined operation of the IT service in alignment with the Council's business objectives, transformation programme, and national targets set by central government.
- Make decisions on IT related matters which will affect the current and future operating model of the Council.
- Ensuring overall security of the Council’s electronic data in line with General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR).
- Acting as the key link with the Chief Executive and the Directors and working with other Heads of Service to ensure that IT strategic and corporate objectives are effectively coordinated and implemented across all service areas.
- Supporting and providing advice to the Senior Information Risk Owner and Chief Information Security Officer.
- Working creatively and strategically to achieve the highest possible standards of performance in Torbay Council Services.
This is a visible role within the Council. We are fully committed to the principles of co-design and co-production, which means stakeholder engagement will be an integral part of your work. You’ll help to make sure that our staff and our communities feel connected to what’s happening around them.
We expect that you’ll already have extensive IT management experience across a relevant portfolio of services, and that you can demonstrate how your leadership has helped to build momentum behind key initiatives and arrive at tangible outcomes. You’ll be accustomed to working in a political and partnership context and be skilled in articulating complex issues.
To learn more about this exciting opportunity, apply below to register your details and access the full role profile and details of the recruitment process.
Join us and help create thriving communities where people can prosper
You will be key to supporting all our services across Torbay, in harnessing technology for the benefit of our communities and staff.
About the council
Torbay Council is a unitary authority that employs around 1,000 people (excluding schools-based employees) and has its headquarters in Torquay.
We want to see a healthy, happy and prosperous Torbay.
We want to deliver for our people and our place. We know we have challenges, but we have high aspirations. By continuing to work closely with our communities and partners and capitalising on our strengths, we want to make Torbay a great place to do business - a place where everyone is able to live their best life.
Our Community and Corporate Plan is built around three themes:
- Community and People
- Pride in Place
- Economic Growth
The Council is made up of 36 Councillors representing 15 wards and, whilst in no-overall control, has a Conservative administration.
The Leader of the Council is Councillor David Thomas and Deputy Leader of the Council is Councillor Chris Lewis.
The Chief Executive is joined on the senior management team by six Directors:
- Director of Pride of Place
- Director of Children’s Services
- Director of Public Health
- Director for Adults and Community Services
- Director of Finance
- Director of Corporate Services
What we offer
We are one of the largest employers in Torbay.
We are committed to making a difference in our community and delivering high quality, value for money services to local people. To achieve this we only recruit the best - people who are forward-thinking and adaptable with a clear customer orientated focus and who always act with integrity.
In return, you will receive excellent employment terms and conditions and the opportunity to work for an organisation that recognises and values the contributions of its employees.
At Torbay, we are very proud to have a workforce that is committed and hard-working.
As our Head of IT Services we can offer you the following:
- 26 days basic annual leave on starting plus bank holidays and an extra day for long service
- A Career Average Re-valued Earnings (CARE) pension scheme through Peninsula Pensions
- Commitment to a good Work/Life Balance with options including a career break scheme, hybrid working, flexible retirement and the ability to purchase additional annual leave
- Family friendly benefits such as flexible working and access to childcare vouchers, paid maternity, adoption and paternity leave schemes (where eligible) and paid leave for fertility treatment
- Equal Opportunities policies including Equal Pay
- A range of employee wellbeing support initiatives including access to Counselling with a healthy work environment that puts employee wellbeing initiatives at the heart of all we do
- Employee Discounts Scheme - online and in-store access to a range of local and national discounts exclusively for our employees
- Professional support including coaching and mentoring
- A commitment to Continuing Professional development
- Discounted Employee Car Parking Scheme
- Dental scheme
- Cycle2Work scheme
Ready to play a major role in shaping the future of our organisation?
This is a chance to bring your expertise to every aspect of Torbay Council at an exciting and pivotal time for the English Riviera.