Corporate Data & Insight Manager

There is a real vibrancy and excitement around County Durham and the council’s ambitious future aspirations for our residents and communities. We are the largest council in the region and are committed to playing a central role regionally and nationally. We’re a forward-thinking area with a strong sense of community. Our friendly people, fascinating history and beautiful natural environment, from the dales to the coast, are what makes our county great.

Central to our future plans for the County is our ability to leverage cutting-edge technology to drive business success. We are striving to be at the forefront of technological innovation and transforming data into actionable insights that drive our organisation forward. To do this, we need a Corporate Data and Insight Manager who Is a visionary and exceptional leader and who can deliver our data strategy across our systems and enterprise-wide Microsoft Azure data platform.   

WHAT IS INVOLVED? 

Being a part of Chief Executive's Department and reporting to the Head of Corporate Affairs this high-profile, strategic leadership role has a team of around 60FTE with further centralisation of data functions in the pipeline. You will have a high degree of autonomy in shaping and delivering our data ambitions including, information governance, analytics, GIS and applications. You’ll play a key role in leading the authority’s commitment to deliver insight driven transformational change, whilst maximising productivity, improving collaboration and driving culture change.

Equally important to us is your style of leadership, you’ll be a role model for best practice and innovation, able to inspire and encourage our committed, dedicated teams to deliver on our key priorities. You will need to be dynamic and thrive on the challenge presented by the size and scale of one of the country’s largest unitary councils.
 
If you are ready to take the next step in your career and have the energy, enthusiasm and skills to make a real impact, then we would like to hear from you.

WHAT WILL I NEED? 

You will be educated to degree level or equivalent in a relevant subject, such as ICT, data science or be able to demonstrate substantial experience as outlined in the Corporate and Service experience sections in the person specification attached.
 
Please refer to the attached person specification for the full criteria. 
 
BENEFITS AND REWARDS

We offer generous rewards and benefits that are designed to help you perform at your best:

• Competitive salaries and 27 days holiday per year rising to 32 days after five years continuous local government service.
• Option to purchase up to 10 additional days annual leave per year.
• Hybrid working (home and office working).
• Excellent contributory career average Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS). Plus, top up options - Salary Sacrifice Shared Cost AVC scheme and standard AVC scheme for members of the LGPS.
• Wellbeing Portal and access to an Employee Assist Scheme.
• Wide range of learning and development opportunities including professional qualifications, coaching and mentoring.
• Employee Benefits Portal and Lifestyle Savings Scheme (discounts across a host of major retailers).
• Discounted DCC gym membership.
• Staff networks run by staff for our staff, including Race Equality and Diversity, Disability, LGBT+, Armed Forces, Carers, Menopause.
• Trade Union membership.
• A range of other salary sacrifice schemes such as car leasing.

Rewards and benefits are subject to individual terms and conditions. Take a closer look: https://www.durham.gov.uk/article/26895/Rewards-and-benefits

HYBRID WORKING

Durham County Council currently operates a hybrid working policy where a model of 2 days in the workplace and 3 days at home/remote will apply. This model is pro-rated for part time roles and arrangements are at managers discretion, alternatively you can work all of your contracted hours within the workplace if you prefer. 
 
EQUALITY, DIVERSITY, AND INCLUSION

We are a proud equal opportunities employer and recognise that a diverse, talented workforce brings new ideas and new perspectives, which will facilitate growth and improvements to services. 
 
We are committed to ensuring that our employment policies and processes are fair and equitable to all.  We welcome job applications from everyone, and successful candidates are considered only on their skills and ability to do the job.
 
As a Disability Confident Leader, we encourage applications from disabled people and provide support throughout the recruitment process.
 
Take a closer look: https://www.durham.gov.uk/article/26899/Equality-diversity-and-inclusion-in-our-workforce
 
We operate a guaranteed interview scheme for applicants that can show they meet all the essential criteria and have indicated they have a disability, are a looked after young person, care leaver or a veteran.

HOW TO APPLY 

Please submit a CV and include a ‘Person Specification’ to demonstrate that you have the essential and where possible, desirable experience, skills, and knowledge.  Candidates who do not evidence that they meet the essential qualifications and experience listed on the person specification will not be short-listed.  

For further information or a confidential discussion, please contact our retained consultant at Penna:

Andreas Efthymiou, on 07546 415 794 or email: Andreas.Efthymiou@Penna.com

Closing date: 23:30, 18th May 2025

1st Round Technical Interviews: w/c 27th May 2025

Final Panel Interviews: w/c 2nd June 2025