Introduction
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 exist 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.
Overall, the key function is managing the managers who are
responsible for delivering their departments' IS services - 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
A degree or the equivalent is required, especially in business
studies; 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.
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.
Further Information & Services
Computing Magazine www.computing.co.uk
Computer Weekly www.computerweekly.com
Society of IT Management www.socitm.net
British Computer Society www.bcs.org.uk
e-skills UK www.e-skills.com
Institute for the Management of Information Systems www.imis.org.uk
You may find further information about this area of work through
Careers Wales (www.careerswales.com/) or
in your local library, careers office or school careers
library.