JOB DESCRIPTION Responsible to: Assistant Director of Corporate Services (Interim) Job Purpose: The overall purpose of the role is to lead, manage, integrate and develop corporate planning and the management of change across the Education Authority. The postholder will work closely with services across the organisation to support them in ensuring that the organisation’s investment in transformation is targeted at delivering our strategic priorities and maximises outcomes for children and young people. The postholder will have the opportunity to influence the corporate planning process and will take the lead in development of the next EA Corporate Plan. Through the Corporate Portfolio Management Office, they will also provide guidance and training for services on how to effectively manage the change projects and programmes that will deliver on that Corporate Plan. The postholder will support the Portfolio Investment Board to provide an independent, objective, challenge to existing Projects and Programmes as well as to new proposals for change. The postholder will scrutinise projects and programmes and monitor outcomes to ensure that they evidence benefit delivery. Key Roles and Responsibilities The Head of Corporate Planning and Portfolio Management Service duties will include, but are not restricted to, the following: - Leadership of the development and implementation of EA’s strategic and business planning processes. - Oversee reporting on progress against existing Corporate Business Plan and lead the development of the next Education Authority Corporate Plan, including review of EA’s Corporate vision and values; - Liaise closely with DE to ensure that EA’s business planning function delivers agreed DE Strategic Priorities; - Support Services to analyse, scope and plan business change (including benchmarking, comparative analysis and business case development); - Identify and manage risks to ensure delivery is on time; - Report regularly to the Assistant Director of Corporate Services, Portfolio Investment Board, CLT and DE Director of Governance and other key stakeholders as required. - Be responsible for managing the portfolio of change projects and programmes which will ultimately provide improved and sustainable services for the Education Authority. - Ensure that appropriate and robust governance and control mechanisms are in place and that programme/project delivery is fully compliant with MSP/PRINCE2 methodology and wider statutory and regulatory requirements; - Provide high quality leadership to all staff involved and ensure that appropriate, accountable and supportive staff management practice is being applied across all aspects of the service (aligned with EA’s Game Changing People Model). - Ensure that programme/project communication strategies are well-tailored, highly effective and inclusive. - Oversee critical path and interdependencies accross the EA’s change portfolio. - Undertake any other duties commensurate with the grade as required. Leadership and management responsibilities The Head of Corporate Planning and Portfolio Management has the following leadership responsibilities: Setting Vision and Strategy - Work with the Assistant Director of Corporate Services to establish, maintain and communicate a clear and compelling strategic direction for EA’s Corporate Planning and Portfolio Management Service. - Contribute to the development of the next EA Corporate Plan including leading a review of the existing EA Vision and Values. - Support the Corporate Leadership Team to translate EA’s strategic priorities into a deliverable portfolio of change projects and programmes. - Contribute to the development and implementation of new policies in line with programme/project delivery. - Attend Executive Team and Board meetings as required by the Assistant Director of Corporate Services. - Challenge conventional approaches, harness new approaches and technology and maximise efficiencies. Managing the Organisation to Deliver - Manage service delivery effectively to ensure that the service achieves the highest possible standards of performance and focuses on the needs of internal and external customers. - Agree service performance targets with the Assistant Director of Corporate Services and provide regular progress reports. - Set objectives in line with needs of the Education Authority, DE, Schools and other key stakeholders which may include scope, content, timings and budget; - Develop, agree and implement a robust operational plan for delivery of service. - Delegate responsibilities and deploy staff according to their skills and abilities to meet the needs of the service. - Manage and continuously improve the service to ensure delivery against performance targets, and to ensure that best value for money is achieved. - Ensure that the service contributes to overall Directorate and Corporate performance as appropriate, and provide update reports as required. - Ensure that the Assistant Director of Corporate Services receives high quality service-specific advice. - Apply resources effectively across Corporate Planning and Portfolio Management to maximise the delivery of objectives. - Consider the financial implications relating to effective models of service delivery, and contribute to the successful achievement of the Savings on Delivery Plan. - Ensure compliance with relevant legal, regulatory and statutory performance requirements. - Manage the service budget in accordance with all relevant financial policy and procedures. - Monitor the financial position of the service and report regularly to the Assistant Director. - Follow agreed measures to deliver the service within budget, and take immediate corrective action as required. - Contribute effectively to quality and performance management systems and ensure that the service is being managed as per the requirements of these systems. - Ensure that employees within the Corporate Planning and Portfolio Management Team are provided with clear structure, roles and responsibilities and are supported to work in an integrated way. - Focus on addressing key workforce issues including recruitment, employee engagement, retention and training and development. - Establish effective and rigorous quality assurance systems to maintain high standards. - Ensure that communication is prompt and effective and that the process for involving all stakeholders is robust and inclusive. Manage relationships effectively and seek to establish commitment and support of colleagues from stakeholder organisations Leadership - Work closely with the Assistant Director to provide the Service with leadership and direction ensuring that corporate, directorate and service performance standards are achieved. - Promote the ethos and values of the authority and ensure that the service is focused on customer needs. - Foster a culture that supports achievement of the authority’s Strategic Plan by role modelling core values and leadership behaviours to staff in the service. - Lead/manage and communicate change and improvement initiatives within the service. - Lead, manage and develop staff within the service. - Encourage staff and service involvement and engagement in the strategic development and operational delivery of the service. - Actively encourage teamwork and self-development, and create opportunities to maximise individuals’ potential, stimulate innovation and connection at all levels with front line services. - Promote a positive culture of performance management within the service through individual and small-team accountability. Foster a culture of constructive feedback and learning, and a genuine commitment to regular and effective appraisals. - Prepare and deliver reports on behalf of the Authority as required. - Provide leadership to all staff involved and ensure that proper and accountable management is in place across all areas. Building Relationships and Working with Others - Manage tasks to ensure effective professional and respectful stakeholder engagement, representing the EA at meetings as required. - Ensure efficient and effective internal communication with staff in the service. - Work closely with partner organisations, the Assistant Director and colleagues to benchmark services and lead/manage and monitor change. - Build and maintain effective working relationships and clear lines of communication with other programme/project leads within the Directorate and in other Directorates. - Develop and maintain clear lines of communication and effective working partnerships with relevant external stakeholders and service user groups - Lead on/manage engagement with staff, schools and the public on major changes in the service that may affect them. - Work with external agencies; for example, education sector partner organisations, to identify opportunities for joint working that might bring greater consistency across the sector, and/or improve efficiency and effectiveness of service delivery. This job description will be subject to review in light of changing circumstances and is not intended to be rigid and inflexible but should be regarded as providing guidelines within which the individual works. Other duties of a similar nature and appropriate to the grade may be assigned from time to time. In accordance with Section 75 of the Northern Ireland Act (1998), the post-holder is expected to promote good relations, equality of opportunity and pay due regard for equality legislation at all times. To view the summary of terms and conditions for this post, click here.