Role overview

The Grade 9 Information Systems Specialist provides senior technical leadership and operational management for the Council’s enterprise applications and information systems. The role combines hands-on specialist expertise with team leadership, solution design, project delivery, technical governance, supplier management and strategic planning. It ensures business-critical digital services are secure, resilient, well governed and aligned with service needs and digital transformation priorities.

What the role is accountable for	What effective delivery looks like
• Leading and developing the Applications Team, allocating resources and deputising for the Applications Manager.	• Clear priorities, capable staff, effective performance management and continuity of leadership.
• Providing senior technical support and coordinating major incidents across a large, complex application estate.	• Critical services are restored quickly, risks are controlled and stakeholders receive clear communication.
• Designing and delivering new systems, upgrades, integrations, automation and cloud-based solutions.	• Solutions are secure, supportable, scalable and successfully transitioned into operation.
• Governing technical change through CAB, Technical Design Authority, digital triage and service review arrangements.	• Changes are evidence-based, appropriately approved and introduced with minimal disruption.
• Managing application lifecycles, security, resilience, continuity, suppliers, contracts and technical standards.	• Services remain compliant, resilient and provide value for money throughout their lifecycle.
• Contributing to application roadmaps, emerging technology ( AI, Microsoft Copilot) and continual improvement.	• Technology investment supports business priorities, service improvement and long-term digital transformation.

Core strengths required

• Advanced knowledge of enterprise applications, databases, integrations, scripting, cloud services and information security.

• The ability to analyse complex problems, assess risks and make sound decisions, often in situations where information is incomplete or time is limited.

• A practical, hands-on approach to troubleshooting, service improvement and the delivery of technical solutions.

• The confidence to lead, support and develop colleagues while building effective relationships with customers, suppliers and stakeholders.

• The ability to communicate complex technical issues clearly and appropriately to both technical and non-technical audiences.

• Experience of ITIL service management, technical governance, project delivery and supplier management, with a focus on achieving positive outcomes for services and customers.

• A commitment to continuous improvement, innovation and finding better ways to use technology to support Council services.

Role context

• Direct line management responsibility for three Application Support Officers, providing day-to-day leadership, support and development.

• Supports and helps develop an application estate of more than 300 business systems, including critical services that underpin the delivery of Council functions.

• Works with a wide range of internal services, suppliers and technical specialists to resolve issues, deliver improvements and support new initiatives.

• Regularly deputises for the Applications Manager and participates in the Applications Out of Hours rota.

• Balances operational support, major incidents, project delivery, governance activities, supplier management and service improvement.

• Provides technical advice and guidance to colleagues, managers, project teams and governance forums to support informed decision-making.

Overall contribution: The role links expert technical delivery with people leadership and organisational governance, protecting essential digital services while shaping modern, secure and sustainable application solutions for the Council.

We are investing in our workforce and are promoting opportunities to our under-represented groups. We value equality, diversity and inclusion and are focused on increasing the diversity of our workforce, particularly the number of Black, Asian, Minority Ethnic, Disabled and LGBTQ+ people, so that our teams reflect the communities in the city we serve. We are also supporting staff with unpaid caring responsibilities to work flexibly.

It is a great time to join us and we welcome your application.

Under the Guaranteed Interview scheme, applicants who are disabled, care leavers, or armed forces veterans will be guaranteed an interview if they meet the essential criteria and indicate their eligibility on the application form. Sometimes, if lots of people apply, we might not be able to interview everyone who qualifies for the Guarantee. In these cases, we’ll interview the candidates who best meet the essential criteria for the job.

Full-time employees work 37 hours for 52 weeks of the year and we offer a generous holiday entitlement. We are open to discussions about a wide range of flexible working opportunities which benefit you and the Council, including reduced hour contracts, working part time or as a job share.

If you are appointed to this role, your starting salary will be at the bottom of the grade. If you provide payslip evidence that your basic pay is greater than the bottom of the grade, we will consider starting you at the point of minimum advantage within the grade.

Equality of pay is extremely important to us. All roles at Sheffield City Council are going through an evaluation process which may result in changes to some pay arrangements from 2026. Find out more on our Sheff news page.

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all individuals, ensuring a safe and supportive environment for everyone and where appropriate to the role the successful applicant will be required to undertake relevant safeguarding checks.