Head of Systems (IT Services)

Head of Systems

£73604.00 - £78051.00

Full Time (Hybrid)

Are you an experienced IT leader looking for a role with real impact?

The West Midlands Pension Fund is seeking a dynamic and forward-thinking Head of Systems (IT Services) to lead the strategic direction, delivery and continuous improvement of our IT and digital services.

Reporting to the Director of Finance, Resources and Transformation, you will lead a highly skilled IT function, ensuring the Fund's systems, infrastructure and digital solutions are secure, efficient, and future ready. You will be responsible for delivering high performing, customer focused IT services to colleagues, employers and members, while shaping our digital roadmap for the years ahead.

This is a wide reaching leadership role, with accountability for:

• Driving the Fund's IT and digital strategy, ensuring alignment with corporate priorities.
• Leading on cybersecurity, IT business continuity, disaster recovery and cyber assurance.
• Overseeing IT infrastructure, business systems and applications - including the Fund's Pension Administration System.
• Defining and delivering the strategy for automation, AI and emerging technologies.
• Managing supplier relationships, contracts and strategic IT partnerships.
• Leading, developing and motivating a high performing systems team to deliver excellent customer service.

We are looking for a strategic leader with significant senior level IT management experience and a track record of delivering innovative, resilient and customer centred IT services. You will bring:

• Strong experience in IT leadership, ideally within a complex organisation.
• A proven ability to develop and implement IT strategies aligned to organisational objectives.
• Excellent knowledge of cybersecurity, information governance and ITIL service delivery.
• The ability to inspire, develop and manage high performing teams.
• Strong stakeholder management skills with the credibility to influence at senior levels.

Experience in pensions or the wider public sector is desirable but not essential.

At the West Midlands Pension Fund, you'll play a pivotal role in safeguarding and shaping the IT services that underpin the delivery of pensions to over 340,000 members and 800 employers. You'll join a collaborative and forward thinking organisation that values innovation, continuous improvement and professional development.

We offer:

• Flexible and hybrid working arrangements.
• A competitive salary and excellent Local Government Pension Scheme benefits.
• Opportunities for professional growth and continuous development.
• The chance to make a real difference to one of the UK's largest pension funds.

In addition to our comprehensive benefits package, we encourage a diverse workforce. Our agile, inclusive environment allows you to manage your wellbeing and work/life balance. You also have 24-hour access to an employee assistance programme.

As a new employee of our SLT team, you will receive a robust interactive 8 week induction plan providing you the opportunity to engage with key stakeholders across the fund. You will also be enrolled onto a range of professional training courses including an introduction to the LGPS and team building to encourage collaborative working, allowing you to thrive in your new role.

We are committed to building a workforce that is reflective of the diverse community we serve. We want to attract the best applications from people of all backgrounds and underrepresented groups because we strongly believe in adding value through diversity, inclusion, and equality. Our employees enable us to deliver services that are accessible, inclusive, and reflective of Wolverhampton residents. We are a Disability Confident Employer, a Stonewall Gold Award holder and have a RACE Code Quality Mark. We also offer guaranteed interview opportunities for suitable candidates who are care leavers, armed forces veterans or disabled.

We are committed to the fair treatment of all potential employees regardless of offending background. Where a DBS check is required, we will consider the applicant fairly and do not discriminate on the basis of conviction.

If you are considering applying for an apprenticeship or a role where the salary is (Grade 2-5), please find out more about the application process and what it is like to work for the council.

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