​Interim Head of Information and Records Management

London

£65,302 - £77,458 + Benefits

Fixed Term Contract until 30th April 2023 (Possible Extension)

41 hours per week (including breaks)

Hybrid working model – 3 days on site / 2 days at home

ASAP Start

About the company

Sue Hill Recruitment are delighted to be working with this Government department in their search for an Interim Head of Information and Records Management for a Fixed Term Contract until 30th April 2023.

This is a strategic role which drives forward activity to embed and maintain information management best practice across all of the business activities. The purpose of the IRMS (Information and Records Management Service), and the post-holder, is to ensure good information management is embedded into working practices, supports all statutory obligations and enables to better manage, secure and re-use information.

The role would suit someone with excellent engagement, change, leadership and digital skills who enjoys working in a busy and varied environment. You will help to embed and maintain a culture of excellent information management practices across the administrations. The successful candidate will be an experienced information management professional with a proven track record in the field who is comfortable working with stakeholders across senior levels.

Key priorities

• Updating the Authorised Retention and Disposal Policy (retention schedule) to address gaps and enable full roll-out of disposal in SharePoint

• Contributing to the Archives Relocation Programme which will identify a new home for the organisations Archives

• Extending the behavioural change function within the team, to deliver on the ground information management improvement projects

• Supporting delivery of actions to mitigate risks associated with the most sensitive information assets, in particular in relation to third parties

• Supporting plans around Transforming Digital, and the wider digital agenda

Main objective

Reporting to the Director of the Archives, the postholder is responsible for:

•         Leading a team of information management (IM) professionals to deliver services to customers across the administrations

•         As subject matter expert on information and records management, providing strategic support and expert advice to senior leaders on information management issues

•         Developing IM policies, practices and standards, and working to ensure agreement, alignment and compliance with these

•         Managing activities to identify, control, mitigate and reduce bi-cameral IM risks

•         With colleagues in the Digital Service, supporting and developing the use of Microsoft 365 products across the administrations

•         Working across departmental boundaries to support implementation of IM principles in processes, projects and programmes

•         Acting as a member of the Senior Management Team within the Archives

Main responsibilities

•         Line Management of the Deputy Head of Information & Records Management

•         Countersigning for 3 x Senior Corporate Information Managers

•         The post has no direct budget management responsibilities but will advise the Director of the Archives on budgets and forecasts, and support business and financial planning for the office

•         Service Delivery - Lead the development and delivery of the team’s services, shaping priorities and business plans to align with wider Information & Data and Digital strategies, and in light of changing

customer expectations, emerging pressures, legislative requirements and technological developments

•         Policy, Strategy and Governance - Develop and get approval for IM policies and standards and work collaboratively to embed these in working practices across the Digital Service. Own governance, associated configuration and services related to IM in Office 365, working closely with the product owner in PDS

•         Advice, Expertise and Advocacy - Provide strategic support to and advise senior leaders on complex, sensitive and high-risk information management issues. Provide specialist advice on the requirements and implications of new systems, products and services. Enhance information culture, in line with the Information and Data Strategy, policies and good practice, through capability building, communications and awareness-raising activities

•         Assurance, Risk and Performance Management - Contribute to corporate assurance and risk management processes for information risk. Co-ordinate development and delivery of a maturity, risk and performance framework for monitoring compliance with IM policies in local teams

•         Leadership and Management - Line manage and counter sign for staff, providing leadership, support and encouragement to complete tasks to the highest standards and to reach their full potential. Contribute to strategy, financial and business planning, and consultations on a range of issues, deputising for the Director of the Archives as necessary.

Why you will be hired

To be considered for this role you will require:

•         A qualification in information management or a related discipline is desirable, while practical knowledge gained from substantial experience working in an information management environment is essential

•         Subject matter knowledge - Substantial experience as an expert voice in information management, with a track record of providing advice and succinctly interpreting and communicating information management policy, principles, and legal and regulatory frameworks, able to exercise judgement and discretion to resolve policy and operational issues and use knowledge to challenge and improve the status quo

•         Strategy - Strong strategic thinking with a proven ability to identify, seek out and exploit opportunities to drive the information and records management agenda forward, bring forward new ideas and shape plans and work programmes to support the achievement of strategic objectives

•         Leadership and Management - Strong leadership and people management skills, with the ability to motivate, inspire and guide others and create a productive and inclusive work environment based on mutual trust and respect

•         Influencing and Engagement - Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with proven experience of influencing, persuading and negotiating successfully at all levels, able to work with a diverse range of stakeholders with potentially differing viewpoints, adapting personal and working style to build strong partnerships, resolve tensions and difficulties, develop understanding, and achieve cooperation in a complex environment.

•         Service Delivery - A strong customer and delivery focus, able to anticipate future policy and service requirements, with an excellent track record designing, implementing, monitoring and setting standards for information management services

•         Planning and Organisation - Excellent planning, prioritisation and organisational skills, applying judgement and creativity to identify the best approach or solution to a particular issue or situation, resolving conflicts to meet targets and deadlines, balancing limited resources across competing priorities, ensuring that work is integrated and co-ordinated in line with broad strategic and operational plans

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Additional Information

Successful candidates will be required to complete pre-employment checks. This includes security vetting to Counter Terrorist Check (CTC) level unless otherwise specified. All successful candidates are required to pass these checks before an offer can be confirmed

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Your application will also require you to write a supporting statement of no more than two sides A4 paper outlining why you think you are suitable for this position, and how you meet the skills required