Director Corporate Services

KEY PURPOSE

To assist the Agency in delivering its remit to improve employment relations in Northern Ireland, in line with its vision and values.

As a key member of the Senior Leadership Team, the post-holder will contribute to the development of Agency policy and the delivery of the Corporate Plan to improve employment relations (both internally and externally), promote best employment practice and resolve workplace disputes through the delivery of quality, impartial and independent services.

As Director, the post-holder is accountable for the effective, efficient, sustainable and economic management of the Agency’s corporate services.  These include business support; communications, finance; human resources; information and communications technology; premises, facilities and service management; and statutory compliance.

Ensuring the highest standards of data protection compliance throughout the organisation is key to this role.

KEY FUNCTIONS:

1. Member of the Senior Leadership Team (and wider Senior Management Team), and contributor to strategic and operational delivery.

2. Attendance at Board meetings, and ensuring effective secretariat support to the Audit and Risk Assurance Committee and Finance and Personnel Committee.  These include the preparation and presentation of papers regarding Corporate Services.

3. Effective leadership and management of Corporate Services staff and resources in line with the Agency’s values and the principles of Investors in People.

4. Effective development and management of Corporate Services (business support; communications, finance; human resources; information and communications technology; premises, facilities and service management; and statutory compliance) to meet customer/stakeholder needs.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Member of the Senior Leadership Team (and wider Senior Management Team), and contributor to strategic and operational delivery:

• Contribute to the corporate decision making.

• Contribute to the development of organisational strategy and policies.

• Contribute to the strategic decision making in the Agency, including providing timely and accurate advice to the Board and its sub-committees.

• Maintain a positive, appropriate and professional relationship with all staff, partners and stakeholders and customers.

• Develop, continuously improve and implement the Agency’s own approach to good employment relations.

• Promote the economic benefits of a cohesive employment relations landscape to the Agency’s delivery partners, key stakeholders and sponsor department (the Department for the Economy (DfE))

2. Effective leadership and management of Corporate Services staff and resources in line with the Agency’s values and the principles of Investors in People:

• Ensure the Corporate Services’ Directorate is led in line with the strategic direction of the Agency.

• Manage the Directorate’s staffing, information, physical, and financial resources to ensure maximum utilisation, efficiency, effectiveness, value for money, and quality of service and delivery of the Agency’s and Directorate’s priorities.  This includes staff seconded to the Northern Ireland Certification Office.

• Advise and guide the Chief Executive and Board on the formation, development and application of policy and strategic decisions relating to Corporate Services.

• Develop and embed a culture of customer focus and performance management to ensure high quality and continuous improvement in service delivery.

• Maintain effective mechanisms for ensuring staff (and self) have up to date knowledge of legislation and best practice in relations to corporate services as appropriate to their role.

• Strategically address knowledge and succession requirements to ensure business continuity.

• Ensure regular and effective communication with Corporate Services’ customers and key stakeholders – to include the sponsor department and auditors.

3. Effective development and management of Corporate Services (business support; communications, finance; human resources; information and communications technology; and statutory compliance) to meet customer/stakeholder needs.

Business Support

• Ensure the effective oversight of the Agency’s administrative functions.

• Champion Customer Service Excellence.

• Oversee contractual arrangements for premises and related services, ensuring that facilities are fit for purpose, provide value for money and are legally compliant.

• Oversee the management of and compliance of supplier contracts.

• Ensure effective business continuity in the event that premises are unavailable.

Communications

• Develop, implement and support the Agency’s communications strategy and plans.

• Oversee the development and implementation of the Agency’s communication channels, including website, intranet, and social media channels.

• Oversee the management of the Agency’s corporate branding.

• Oversee the Agency’s media (newspapers, radio and television) engagement.

Finance

• Ensure financial and procurement procedures are efficient, meet Managing Public Money, MPM (NI), requirements, and are understood and implemented across the organisation.

• Develop and implement financial management systems and procedures across the organisation including internal controls and recommendations from audit.

• Prepare budgets, accounts and financial analysis as required.

• Provide a sound basis for asset management which includes appropriate investment analysis and evaluation.

• Undertake ad hoc financial analyses from time to time, to assist the SMT in evaluating value for money, and the potential for efficiencies.

• Ensure timely submission of all external reporting e.g. the Assembly, sponsor department, Equality Commission.

• Ensure compliance with HMRC requirements with regard to the operation of Payroll.

HR

• Ensure that best practice is adopted regarding all aspects of industrial relations communication, information, consultation and negotiation within the context of the Agency’s JNCC and industrial relations machinery.

• Monitor staff engagement and offer constructive solutions to problems as they arise.

• Lead the development and implementation of HR management systems including the introduction and implementation of HR software.

• Ensure all HR policies and procedures represent best practice, and are understood and implemented by staff in compliance with employment law and equality legislation.

• Ensure high quality advice and support is provided to staff in all issues relating to HR.

• Strategically address knowledge and succession requirements to ensure business continuity.

Information and Communications Technology

• Develop, implement and support the Agency’s ICT strategy and plans.

• Ensure effective administration and communication of ICT policies and procedures.

• Ensure the Agency’s ICT infrastructure is protected and liaise with other service managers whose remit utilises that infrastructure (e.g. premises management).

• Provide technical support, feasibility studies and economic appraisals for ICT projects.

• Oversee the purchase and installation of new systems and services.

• Oversee the management of suppliers and contracts in relation to ICT services.

• Maintain standards (e.g. ISO 27001) and audit information system use for compliance and security purposes.

• Review users’ requests for changes, analysing needs and budgets, and making recommendations for updates, replacements or enhancements.

Statutory Compliance

• Develop statutory compliance policies in line with extant Northern Ireland public sector practice for NDPBs.

• Provide a secretarial support for the Audit and Risk Assurance Committee.

• Act as first point of contact for auditors, liaising with the SLT on the timing of audits and provision of information.

• Ensure records management policies and procedures are sufficient and realistic for users to implement.

• Respond to customer complaints and requests under the Data Protection and Freedom of Information Acts.

• Review and report progress on the Agency’s Equality Scheme and Disability Action Plan and ensure all other equality monitoring requirements are up to date.

• Enable compliance with health, safety and welfare legislation.

4. Other duties:

• Any other duties appropriate to the grade as allocated by the Chief Executive, including functional responsibilities and special projects.

The above list gives a broad indication of the main duties of the post.  The emphasis on particular duties will vary over time according to business need.