Assistant Director of Business

Modernise the digital platforms that power our borough and lead a unified team to deliver reliable, resident-focused technology.

As our Assistant Director of Business Applications and Platforms, you’ll lead the digital modernisation of our core systems. It’s a role with genuine, council-wide impact – a chance to bring together previously dispersed teams, simplify our application estate and ensure the software supporting our services is secure, modern and reliable.

Your focus will be on providing visible, strategic leadership to modernise our Platforms and Applications function, uniting our technical teams into a single, cohesive service. By setting clear standards, establishing strong application lifecycle management and championing a product-led approach, you’ll transform how we deliver and maintain software solutions. This means balancing high-level strategic direction with hands‑on operational oversight.

A typical day will involve reviewing the performance, security and risk posture of our core applications, before moving on to unblock delivery hurdles or resolve supplier issues. Collaborating closely with senior stakeholders, service leads and ICT colleagues, you’ll shape priorities, rationalise legacy systems to reduce duplication and oversee migrations to modern, cloud-based platform‑ and software‑as‑a‑service solutions.

As a key senior leader, you’ll manage resources, oversee budgets and champion staff development within your team while contributing directly to ICT governance. Crucially, you will deputise for the Chief Information Officer when required – providing clear, trusted advice to executive directors and members – and participate in our emergency leadership response rota.

For further details, please review the Job Description and Person Specification.

You’ll bring a relevant professional qualification or equivalent substantial experience in enterprise architecture, ICT governance, service management or cyber security, such as ITIL or TOGAF. With a proven track record of establishing and leading application‑management or product‑focused teams, you know how to guide and inspire multidisciplinary specialists, including developers, business analysts and product managers.

You have direct experience modernising legacy systems and delivering cloud‑based platform‑ and software‑as‑a‑service solutions, coupled with a deep understanding of digital, data and technology risk. Your strong financial management skills mean you are comfortable managing budgets and driving maximum value from our supply chain.

Excellent communication and influencing skills are essential, enabling you to translate complex technical issues into clear, practical advice for senior officers and elected members.

Most importantly, your experience of working in, or closely with, local government will be matched by a genuine commitment to equality, diversity and public service values.

At RBKC, we’re all in – investing in our people, our communities and our future.

This newly created role is strategically positioned for maximum impact, giving you a unique opportunity to shape our technology estate and make a lasting, council‑wide difference. You’ll work with a highly supportive leadership team, benefiting from strong senior buy‑in and upward backing to deliver real change. We are committed to your professional development and offer continuous learning opportunities to help you succeed in this senior post.

Alongside a competitive salary, we provide a collaborative and forward‑thinking environment where your strategic vision is valued, your wellbeing is supported and your contribution directly helps us build a stronger, more resilient borough.

Kensington & Chelsea is home to diverse communities, thriving businesses and unique local places. Everything we do is focused on supporting our residents, strengthening our approach and creating a fairer borough.

As a competent and caring Council, we take pride in our work every day, ensuring our services are delivered with care and competence. We listen to our residents, act with integrity and work together to build a borough that is…