Head of Strategic Planning, Performance and Technology

Thank you for your interest in the Head of Strategic Planning, Performance and Technology post in Argyll and Bute Health and Social Care Partnership. This role will take forward the leadership of our fully integrated portfolio of services across Planning, Performance and Technology (E-learning) .

Argyll and Bute Health and Social Care Partnership is a forward thinking, high performing and ambitious organisation that focuses on delivering person centred and integrated services across our area. If you relish a challenge, have a passion for public service and see your next career role in this beautiful region, then Argyll and Bute Health and Social Care Partnership is an ideal place for you to grow, develop and deliver,

Argyll and Bute Health and Social Care Partnership covers one of the most complex areas in Scotland, with 23 inhabited islands, six main towns and remote communities and we have an ageing and declining population. Our Integration Joint Board is responsible for all services, from social care to acute, as delegated by NHS Highland and Argyll and Bute Council.  We are realistic about our challenges, but have a talented, professional, innovative and creative workforce who are committed to doing their very best for those who rely on us for their most personal needs. We are based firmly in our communities and working closely with colleagues in the third and independent sector, strengthening and building relationships every day.

Due to the impending retirement of the current post holder, we are seeking to recruit a Head of Planning, Performance and Technology to take us into this next important and exciting time that will see our ongoing recovery from Covid alongside important national and local developments, including  TEC (telecare) deployment, Integrated Performance systems, commissioning and strategic planning and fleet management modernisation.

In joining us as Head of Service, you will have a proven track record in strategic and values based leadership, operational management and transformational change. You will have the opportunity to make a career defining impact, taking a leadership role in our culture journey, supporting our workforce to thrive and transforming the health and wellbeing of our communities.

In collaboration with the Chief Officer, senior management team, customers and colleagues, to develop and lead the delivery and provision of efficient, effective and professional services to the Council and its communities that reflects the vision, values and strategic objectives of the HSCP. The post holder will be required to:

• Provide vision, leadership and have operational responsibility for the delivery and strategic development of the services within their remit.
• Sustain and improve the delivery of high quality, efficient, effective and person centred health and social care services.
• Fully contribute to and participate in the corporate management of the A&B HSCP as a member of the Management Team, reporting to the Integrated Joint Board.
• Demonstrate political awareness and build effective relationships with elected members, board members and the Integration Joint Board (IJB).
• Lead the production and review of the Partnership’s Strategic Plan, supporting both strategic and service planning
• Lead the development of Joint Strategic Commissioning, NHS Contracting and SLA development.
• Lead all aspects of planning, developing and delivery of a comprehensive performance management system for the Health and Social Care Partnership.
• Lead ICT, Digital, Technology, data and e-health. Responsible for aspects of Capital planning relating to digital strategy and delivery. Ensuring the provision of an efficient and effective eHealth services for clinicians, governance and operational delivery.
• To lead the development and delivery of major health service transformation programmes, including service, infrastructure and organisational reconfiguration.
• Lead the transformation committee and work to manage the complex stakeholder relationships necessary to securing successful outcomes.
• Work collaboratively with the Partnership Senior Management Team to achieve the objectives of the HSCP and deputise for Chief Officer as necessary.
• To remain agile and responsive, portfolios across the SLT will evolve and change and this should be anticipated. 

The detailed job description in Council and Agenda for Change format can be found here:

• Job Description and Person Specification (Argyll and Bute Council)
• Job Description and Person Specification (NHS)

This post will be accountable to the Chief Officer, Health and Social Care Partnership for the following areas of service across Argyll and Bute:

• Strategic Planning
• Performance
• Technology / E-health
• Transformation

The Head of Planning, Performance and Technology has responsibility for c40 employees over 3 service areas with 3 service managers as direct reports. They have a delegated service budget of £2.9 million and direct influence over planning for the HSCP (a budget in the region of £335 million). The Post holder is an authorised signatory within this budget.

The total head count in the HSCP (2022) is approximately 3000.

Argyll and Bute HSCP delivers services across a remote and rural environment including 23 inhabited islands, many small villages and settlements and 6 main towns.

This presents significant challenges in providing health and social care services, with a limited internal transport and communications infrastructure. There is also a large additional visitor population in summer and winter.

Population: Argyll and Bute 86,220 (NRS 2021 Mid-Year Population Estimates).

Geography: 2,700 miles of coastline, 23 inhabited islands and 6 main towns.

To achieve effectiveness across the organisation a matrix management approach, excellent remote leadership skills and collaborative working is essential.

Education and / or professional qualifications  

• Degree or equivalent, in a related subject (essential)
• Membership of relevant professional body (essential)
• Evidence of Continuous Professional Development (essential)
• Masters or equivalent experience (desirable)

Experience

• Proven record of achievement in a multi-functional organisation (essential)
• Experience in achieving service outcomes within the context of appropriate financial constraints. (essential)
• Experience of formulating policy and strategy on complex issues. (essential)
• Commissioning and tendering large projects and services. (desirable)
• Comprehensive experience of managing at a senior strategic level. (essential)
• Excellent presentation and communication skills. (essential)
• Proven success in more than one service area, developing and leading multi-disciplinary teams to excel in complex organisations (essential)
• Experience of working in a political environment with elected and / or board members. (desirable)
• Thorough understanding of the workings of Local Government and / or NHS and / or IJB’s (desirable)
• Proven track record of leading change management. (desirable)

Specific job-related knowledge 

• Candidates should be able to demonstrate the professional requirements as set out in the portfolio for this post. Note Heads of Adult Services posts are responsible for service portfolios as directed by the Chief Officer.  (essential)
• Candidates should demonstrate that they operate according to the values of the Health and Social Care Partnership. (essential)
• Candidates must demonstrate experience and success in engaging with partners, communities, service users, patients and stakeholders to design and deliver person centered, community focused services. (essential)

Argyll and Bute is an area of extraordinary diversity, with a coastline of over 3500km, 23 inhabited islands 6 main towns and many small rural communities.

Our area incorporates many historic and contemporary visitor attractions, has a rich and varied culture and has many diverse communities that we are proud to serve.

Living and working in Argyll and Bute presents you with the opportunity for a lifestyle that is the envy of many, with access to beaches, mountains, islands and many historic and environmentally important places. It also well served by transport links to the central belt and, despite our remote rural ‘feel’ we are #closerthankyouthink

You can find out more about living and working in Argyll and Bute by visiting www.abplace2b.scot and finding about us on social media, including Instagram using #abplace2b

Applications for this post close on Sunday 9^th April 2023

Successful applicants will be invited to take place in a 2 stage assessment process which will include:

• Online psychometric assessments and feedback
• Assessment Centre activities to assess creative and innovative thinking
• Stakeholder engagement session
• Informal one to one with the Chief Officer
• Panel interview with Chief Officer and IJB Chair and Vice Chair, Council Leader and Chair of NHS Highland Board 

The two stage assessment centre process will take place during w/c 1^st May 2023 and interview date will be 9^th May 2023.

For an informal discussion on the post, please contact Fiona Davies, Chief Officer -fiona.davies5@nhs.scot or James Gow, Head of Finance – james.gow@argyll-bute.gov.uk or Geraldine Collier, People Partner- Geraldine.collier@nhs.scot