Operational Manager
JOB DESCRIPTION
Post Title:
Programme Manager
Grade and Salary Scale:
O SCP 46 – 48
Department and Service:
Finance, Governance and Support
Responsible To:
Head of Performance and Partnerships
Post Ref:
G504
Purpose of the Post:
Working within the Council’s transformation portfolio, this post is responsible for the
development and day-to-day execution of the Council’s Digital programme plan and for dealing
with issues that might affect achievement of this plan, in order to achieve agreed benefits.
Duties and Responsibilities:
1. Working with the Programme Sponsor and the Programme Office, lead on the development,
governance and implementation of the Council’s Digital transformation programme.
2. Develop and maintain the Digital programme definition document and programme plan,
aligned with the overall direction set out in the Council’s Strategic Plan and associated
strategies.
3. Manage progress of the Digital programme and identify / take action to deal with any
potential / actual exceptions that might jeopardise the achievement of objectives and
benefits, reporting progress to the Programme Office on a monthly basis.
4. Monitor the progress of the projects / work streams within the Digital programme and take
action to deal with any exception situations that might jeopardise achievement of the
programme plan.
5. Identify, analyse and communicate to the Digital Programme Board and other key
stakeholders all interdependencies between the different projects / work streams in the
programme, plus any external dependencies and how they will be managed.
6. Maintain the Digital programme risk and issues registers, actively managing risks and issues
or escalating to the Programme Sponsor, as appropriate.
7. Manage stakeholder communications to ensure a shared understanding of objectives,
milestones and required business change.
8. Participate in wider corporate work to support organisational transformation, as required.
Corporate Responsibilities:

In accordance with the Equality Act 2010 where a post holder is disabled, Middlesbrough
Council will make every reasonable effort to supply the necessary employment aids,
equipment or adaptations to enable employees to perform the full duties of the job.

All employees are expected to demonstrate a commitment to the principles of equality of
opportunity and fairness of treatment in relation to employment issues and service
delivery, and adhere to the policies of the Council relating to these issues in the
performance of their duties.

All employees are expected to respect all confidentialities and principles and practices of
the Data Protection Act.

All employees are required to comply with Health and Safety policies and legislation.

Middlesbrough Council is committed to continuous organisational employee
development. The employee is required to participate fully in all initiatives which facilitate
continuous improvement in both service quality and employee development and
performance.

The above duties and responsibilities cannot totally encompass or define all tasks which
may be required of the employee. The outlined duties and responsibilities may,
therefore, vary from time to time without materially changing either the character or level
of responsibility: these factors are reflected in the post.
Operational Manager
PERSON SPECIFICATION
Middlesbrough Employee Competency Framework forms part of the overall strategy for
achieving the Council’s Vision, Purpose and Values. It defines the competencies expected of all
Middlesbrough Employees. The framework defines the effective core competencies that all staff
across the Council are expected to demonstrate in their day to day work regardless of their
specific role.
For the purposes of recruitment you will only be assessed against the criterion which are
marked as essential/desirable under Section 1, and the competency indicators marked with an
X under Section 2, both shown below.
The Council is committed to the employment and career development of disabled people and
Care Leavers. Applicants who identify themselves on the relevant section of the application
form as having a disability under the Equality Act 2010, or have identified themselves as a Care
leaver, and have supplied the name and contact details of their Young Person’s Advisor will be
automatically guaranteed an interview providing they meet all the essential criteria.
Section 1
QUALIFICATIONS:
1. Degree in a relevant subject, or equivalent experience.
Essential
x
Desirable
x
X
2. Programme Management (e.g. MSP) certification.
X
3. Project Management (e.g. PRINCE 2) certification.
KNOWLEDGE & EXPERIENCE
1. Experience of managing programmes and projects.
X
2. Detailed knowledge of PM principles, tools and
techniques.
3. Experience of presenting complex data to different
audiences.
4. Experience of working within a public sector
organisation.
X
X
X
X
Middlesbrough Operational Manager Competencies
Section 2: Competency Indicators
DELIVER
the right results
Understanding the bigger picture, prioritising activities to achieve results
and deadlines
Focuses on achievement of measurable outcomes, assesses progress, proactively
ensures these are delivered effectively, on time and within available resources
Actively seeks to reduce costs and reinforce financial responsibility with employees
Understands the impact of failing to achieve team or service objectives and takes
appropriate action to minimise impact and remedy
Articulates a clear vision of successful performance
Makes informed decisions when faced with threats to service delivery
Recognises opportunities and utilised talent, systems and technologies for optimum
results
Develops business plans within legislation and organisational priorities focused on
customers, resources and finance
Acts as a positive role model to their team, promoted and protected the Council’s
reputation, created a sense of vision and pride
Able to use financial systems and information to understand service delivery costs and
the financial position
Ensures employees have appropriate training, learning, development and resources to
enable them to achieve
Manages poor performance and unacceptable behaviour without delay
Understands who the customer is, manages their expectations, delivers a positive
customer experience
INFLUENCE
through effective communication
Communicates with clarity and conviction, using appropriate means to gain
support, commitment and understanding
Clearly communicates the vision, values and strategy of the organisation and ensures
employees know how they contribute to these
Communicates effectively with customers, tailoring methods and information to suit the
audience
Engages positively in all interactions and resolved issues constructively
Actively listens to opinions and views that differ from own and takes account of these
Provides appropriate and timely feedback
Demonstrates self-awareness and displays effective personal leadership
Inspires and motivates others to reach their potential, empowers and enables others to
achieve
Has respect for others and ensures they feel valued for their contribution
Selection
Criteria
(Mark X)
X
X
X
X
X
X
Selection
Criteria
(Mark X)
X
X
X
X
RESPONSIBLE
and accountable for your area of work
Valuing responsibility and taking ownership for outcomes within own areas
of work and encouraging others to do the same
Enables and empowers employees to take personal ownership of actions and decisions
Provides advice and coaches when required, encourage open discussion and embed a
no blame culture
Ensure employees understand how their objectives and role contribute to the overall
performance of the organisation
Accepts responsibility for service objectives and outcomes and is accountable for the
performance of the team
Provides leadership through challenging and changing times
Actively encourages feedback on service delivery
Understands and demonstrates Value for Money and minimises financial risks, escalates
issues that may have impact upon financial aspects of service delivery
Advocates and complies with approved organisational systems, policies and
procedures including financial procedures and controls
ENGAGE
Work well and collaborate with others
Recognising the contribution of others and taking responsibility for
managing working relationships, offering help and compromise where
appropriate to achieve positive results
Motivates and creates an environment of advice, guidance, transparency and
approachability
Encourages joint working, information sharing across the Council, neighbouring
authorities and partner organisations
Responds positively to challenges and encourages opportunities to explore new
ideas to improve service delivery
Understands when/why difficult customer issues occur, ensures the reason is
identified and dealt with effectively
Understands the need for and provides a customer focused service
Encourages a culture where customers feel able to give feedback and take account of
this
Creates and maintains positive, professional working relationships with a range of
stakeholders within and outside the organisation
Engages early with customers to inform them of future plans and developments
Encourages employees to manage customer expectations
Selection
Criteria
(Mark X)
X
X
X
X
Selection
Criteria
(Mark X)
X
X
X
X
CHANGE
enable and adapt to change
Continuously seeks opportunities to create positive change, is responsive
to, and helps others in understanding change
Considers, proposes and implements ideas for continuous improvement, whilst taking
consideration of the impact of change in the short and long term
Challenges resistance to change and ensures any barriers to change are identified,
resolved or escalated
Provides and welcomes feedback from others about the impact of change, accepts
constructive criticism to change and escalates where required
Ensures that there is a consistent and fair approach to change
Encourages creative thinking, listens to employee and customer ideas and empowers
implementation where appropriate
Ensures appropriate mechanisms are in place to provide a resilient, flexible workforce
Ensures reasons for and the benefits of change are communicated and understood
THINK
critically and act decisively
Asks challenging questions, plans, organises and makes intelligent
decisions taking into account all relevant information and resources
Asks challenging questions and identifies potential issues and looks to create solutions
Remains objective, always acting in the best interests of the organisation when making
decisions
Uses professional awareness, acknowledges where and when it is appropriate to
challenge decisions
Engages with relevant customers, listens to expert input and considers a range of options
before making decisions
Ensures benchmarking activities are undertaken to inform best practice
Deploys risk management techniques to identify, analyse and mitigate risks without being
risk averse
Develops and manages services based on need whilst taking account of available
funding
Anticipates evolving customer needs
Selection
Criteria
(Mark X)
X
X
X
X
Selection
Criteria
(Mark X)
X
X
X
X