Head of Digital Services & Solutions (Temporary: London)

Pertemps Network Group are delighted to be partnering with a forward-thinking Local Authority to recruit an exceptional Head of Digital Services & Solutions.

This is a pivotal senior leadership opportunity within Digital Services, responsible for shaping and delivering technology strategy across applications, infrastructure and service management. Reporting initially to the Chief Digital Officer (interim arrangement) and ultimately to the Assistant Director of Digital Services and Business Assurance, this role sits at the heart of the Council’s digital transformation agenda.

Title: Head of Digital Services & Solutions 📍 Local Authority | Finance & Corporate Services
Salary: Competitive Day Rate / Salary (DOE)

The Role As Head of Digital Services & Solutions, you will translate corporate and strategic priorities into secure, resilient and future-proofed digital services. You will combine strategic oversight with strong operational command across Applications, Infrastructure, Workforce Technology, Service Management and Supplier/Contract Management.

You will lead multidisciplinary technical teams and manage an £8.6m technology budget, ensuring services are robust, cost-effective and aligned with organisational objectives.

Key Responsibilities Strategic & Operational Leadership

• Lead Applications, Infrastructure and Service Management functions, ensuring delivery against KPIs and SLAs.
• Develop and communicate operational digital strategy, policies and technical standards.
• Align technology roadmaps with corporate priorities and architectural principles.
• Review existing service models and implement continuous improvement initiatives.

Applications & Infrastructure

• Oversee on-premise and cloud (Azure) application estates.
• Ensure secure, resilient infrastructure including Networks, Telephony and M365.
• Maintain compliance with cyber security and regulatory requirements.
• Lead Disaster Recovery strategy and ensure business continuity readiness.

Service Management & Continuous Improvement

• Establish performance frameworks and operational controls.
• Oversee transition of new services into steady-state support.
• Drive service excellence and measurable customer satisfaction improvements.

Supplier & Contract Management

• Manage strategic third-party IT suppliers.
• Lead contract negotiation and performance management.
• Oversee technology contracts within an £8.6m budget envelope.

People & Capability Leadership

• Lead, mentor and develop high-performing technical teams.
• Foster a collaborative, innovative and customer-focused culture.
• Build digital capability to support long-term transformation.

Programme Delivery

• Oversee small-to-medium change programmes through to benefit realisation.
• Ensure effective resource planning across operational and project activity.

Essential Experience & Qualifications

• Degree-level education with relevant postgraduate or industry certification (MSc, MBA, ITIL or equivalent experience).
• Minimum five years’ senior management experience within IT service delivery (Applications, Infrastructure and/or Service Management).
• Advanced technical knowledge across applications and/or infrastructure environments.
• Strong experience in IT contract negotiation and supplier performance management.
• Proven experience implementing ITIL or equivalent service management frameworks.
• Demonstrable experience leading digital transformation initiatives.

Key Skills

• Strategic thinker with strong operational execution capability.
• Politically astute with experience engaging senior stakeholders.
• Strong financial, analytical and written capability.
• Resilient leader with excellent influencing skills.
• Passionate about delivering high-quality public services.

Our client is a progressive Local Authority committed to innovation, service excellence and delivering high-quality digital services that enable better outcomes for residents and staff.

Pertemps Network Group Pertemps Network Group is one of the UK’s largest independent recruitment businesses, with a proven track record of delivering specialist recruitment solutions across the public sector. We pride ourselves on building long-term partnerships, understanding organisational culture, and delivering high-calibre leadership talent.

If you are an experienced digital leader ready to shape and modernise a complex public sector technology estate, we would welcome a confidential discussion.

 Apply now or contact Pertemps Network Group for further information.