Director of IT

Job reference No. IDT0072

Job Level Level 7
Role review 2019
Information and Digital
Directorate Service/Function
Technology

Reports to Chief Information Officer

Scale and scope of role

Around 7 (including
Head of Service
Delivery, Head of
Technical Projects,
Direct reports Indirect reports c60
Head of Architecture,
Applications Manager,
Head of IT Security
Head of International IT)
Budgetary
Accountability for other
responsibility / Approx. £7million
resources
accountability
The role holder will be responsible for the provision of IT to around 4000 staff
and 20,000 volunteers both by setting the technical direction and with
Reach and impact
responsibility for day to day Service Delivery.

Context
We help anyone, anywhere in the UK and around the world, get the support they need if crisis strikes:
connecting human kindness with human crisis.
We enable vulnerable people in the UK and abroad to prepare for and withstand emergencies in their own
communities. And when the crisis is over, we help them to recover and move on with their lives.
We are part of the global Red Cross and Red Crescent humanitarian network.

Our values and principles

Our values (compassionate, courageous, inclusive and dynamic) underpin everything we do. As a member
of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, the British Red Cross is committed to, and bound by, its
fundamental principles: humanity, impartiality, neutrality, independence, voluntary service, unity and
universality.

Director of IT IDT0072 2019

Purpose of the role
The IT Director will set the technology and architectural direction and will be responsible for delivering
technical projects that ensure that the provision of IT provides excellent employee, supporter and service-
user experiences. Driving modern IT practices, and embracing Cloud – this role will ensure that the British
Red Cross is in a good place to use technology impactfully.

Main responsibilities
Responsibilities and outputs
IT Strategy
• The targets for the IT strategy are clear and agreed with the IDT management team to enable
immediate priorities to be met as well as the longer-term vision for the Directorate
• The IT strategy supports and enables the broader technology and information strategy and
embraces modern method (e.g. Cloud first)
• The strategy is understood appropriately by all internal stakeholders within BRC
• Progress against the strategy is monitored and adapted where necessary to reflect changing
priorities.
• The internal IT team understand the strategy and their role in delivering it
IT Budget and Workplan
• The resources required to deliver the agreed strategy are identified and an annual plan agreed. This
is well cascaded to the team and mutually supports others in the directorate
• Team and individual workplans to support the strategy are agreed with all functions to enable the
successful delivery of the strategy.
• Progress against workplans and budgets are monitored and action to address issues taken where
required
• Serious concerns that targets will not be achieved are escalated to the CIO with recommendations
for action.
IT Delivery and improvement
• IT users report regular improvement in their satisfaction with the service provided KPIs for all
functions are agreed, published and reported: shortfalls investigated and addressed.
• Core IT applications are effectively supported and are appropriate for the need
• Contingency plans are developed, reviewed and improved as appropriate to deal with all predictable
incidents and emergencies.
• Major incidents are effectively managed and swiftly resolved with clear communications to the
organisation
• Suppliers are proactively managed and value for money provided
• A culture of providing excellent service is nurtured and re-enforced along with close working with
other teams in the directorate. Agility, partnership working and a focus on employee experience are
valued.
Programme and project support
• IT requirements for all new projects and programmes are understood and agreed with relevant
project sponsors and managers
• IT contribution to wider Projects and Programmes are effectively scheduled in co-ordination with the
project manager and PMO
• Any IT issues arising within individual projects are addressed effectively.
IT Security and Quality Assurance
• Cyber Security is maintained with pro-active plans to ensure continued improvement in this area in
line with changes
• Quality is assured in key processes including Testing of Builds and Systems and robust Change
Management

Director of IT IDT0072 2019

IT Developments
• Implications for IT of future BRC plans are identified and reported in to the wider planning process.
• The opportunities and risks for BRC from new technological developments and uses are identified
and explained to relevant stakeholders.
• BRC is able to benchmark itself with IT functions in other organisations to identify opportunities for
improvement
Senior Leadership Team
• Full and effective participation in the Corporate leadership process
• Role models BRC values and behaviours and challenges poor behaviour in other at all levels.
• Leads cross functional teams and participates in others when required
• Provides external advocacy for BRC.
Team Leader
• All team members understand their responsibilities and objectives
• All resources involving staff managed in accordance with BRC policies and procedures
• All staff are kept informed of relevant organisational plans and updates on development
• Team ideas and comments are communicated and forwarded appropriately.
Team Member
• Actively participates in all team meetings
• Supports other team members
• Work and behaves in accordance with all BRC policies and procedures
• Upholds the fundamental principles of the Red Cross and acts with integrity, in accordance with the
Society’s values (inclusive, compassionate, courageous and dynamic).

Pre- engagement checks

Criminal Records
Type of criminal record checks required for this role
England and Wales - Disclosure and Baring Service Check (DBS)
> None
Scotland
> None
Northern Ireland
> None

Drivers Checks
> Required - No

Diversity
At the British Red Cross, we are looking for the right people to help us provide support to millions of people
affected by crisis in the UK. We want our team to reflect the diversity of the communities we serve, offering
equal opportunities to everyone, regardless of; age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil
partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, or sexual orientation.

Diversity is something we celebrate and we want you to be able to bring your authentic-self to the Red
Cross. We want you to feel that you are in an inclusive environment, and a great position to help us spread
the power of kindness.

Director of IT IDT0072 2019

Person Specification

Evidenced obtained
through
Requirement Shortlisting (S)
Interview (I) or
Assessment (A)
Essential B.Sc. or B.A. in Computer Science, Software S
Knowledge Engineering, Information Systems or related discipline
and Skills or equivalent work experience.

Strong supplier management skills – to ensure a wide I

range of suppliers and partner deliver as agreed

Understanding of ITIL and good practice in service

provision S

Detailed knowledge of modern business place

architectures and technologies (Microsoft technology I
stack desirable)

Strong communication and stakeholder management I

skills

Strong facilitation and issue resolution skills to ensure

I
delivery of a high level of customer service

Project delivery experience S

Excellent leadership, communication (written and oral)

I
and interpersonal skills

Experience of working successfully in an organisational S

going through significant transformational change

Proven ability to deliver high profile activities to tight I

timescales – and clear, tangible outputs and benefits

Desirable Understanding of Enterprise Architecture Frameworks

such as TOGAF.

Director of IT IDT0072 2019

 Essential Experience of producing an IT strategy to meet the I
Experience needs of a complex organisation

Experience of moving an IT organisation into modern I

ways of working (embracing cloud etc)

Experience of restructuring a team to meet new I

requirements

Experience of managing a significant budget (opex and S

capex)

Experience of managing a sizeable team and ensuring I

good people management

Experience of good supplier and partner management I

to drive significant business benefit

Experience of driving customer satisfaction I

improvements

Desirable Experience working in the not for profit sector

Problem-Solving Skills: Able to look at an issue that needs to be
Behaviours solved and come up with solutions quickly.
Thorough: Completes tasks

Essential • Ensures inclusive practice and promotes diversity

Additional • Be willing to be part of a 24 by 7 management rota
requirements Desirable

We guarantee an interview to disabled candidates (as defined in the 2010 Equality Act) who meet the
minimum shortlisting criteria in the advertised person specification and apply under the disability confident
scheme.

Director of IT IDT0072 2019