This is a job to aspire to after you have gained sufficient experience in IT work including information systems, data management and website development. In some authorities it is a position of general management of most of these functions. It is the next step up from Information Manager.

This is one of those posts that exists in any department in all types of authority, but most often is found in the corporate office of the chief executive. Information technology serves all employees and the organisation as a whole.

Most councils have their own web pages on the internet to keep the public informed of the services they provide in order that the ‘best value’ principles of efficiency, effectiveness and economy are maintained. It is now a government mandate that all council services should be electronically available. If you want to find out what benefits you’re entitled to, you can go into a booth and key into the information you need.

Equally important is the internal communications system, the intranet, for which the IS manager is ultimately responsible.

Work Environment

This is the office. Travel to other departments of the council and, occasionally, to other council offices is required. The standard working week is 37 hours and does not involve shift work. Anti-social hours are sometimes worked, but not as an official requirement.

Daily Activities

The aim of the job is management of technical, customer facing and information systems. This entails:

• direction of technical ICT in accordance with council policy
• development of systems to improve communication between the council and its customers – whether they are members of the public or service and materials suppliers, or the police, the environment agency, voluntary groups and so on - including call handling and associated business process re-engineering (BPR)
• development of the internet and intranet.

As a daily responsibility, the business and corporate IS manager will be involved with co-ordination and development of knowledge management. This means directing teams producing web pages on the intranet and internet, organising training and advice to council staff and making decisions about business solutions for better technological communication with the authority’s business partners and the public. It will involve keeping up to date with current technology and shaping the corporate strategy on e-service. And, overall, the key function is managing the managers who are responsible for delivering their departments’ IS service – to the public and internally in communication with their staff. The IS manager liaises with all authorities, regional and national bodies and private sector companies across the full range of municipal responsibilities – social services, environmental, building and property, transport, education and leisure.

Skills & Interests

You should have the following qualities to succeed at this job:

• an ability to work on your own initiative
• project management ability
• practical skills
• attention to detail
• first class IT skills
• good with figures
• confidence
• ability to get on with people from different backgrounds
• top class management ability
• excellent written and oral communication skills.

Entry Requirements

Degree or the equivalent, especially in business studies or information technology science is essential.
It will be assumed that you have a wide experience of all kinds of computer systems.

Previous experience in IT, Interactive Computer Training and web development is desirable.

Estimated salary range

Starting cira £30,000

Please note that salary information is a guide only and there may be local agreements in place. For further information about salaries for particular positions, please contact your local council directly.

Future prospects & opportunities

The range of opportunities depends on what importance any authority attaches to the job.

Promotion is dependent on ability and the prospects are reasonable. The top job is Chief Executive. There are opportunities for advancement outside of local government.

Related Occupations