Director - Operations - Emergency Services Mobile Communication Programme (ESMCP)
The technology that supports Airwave, the voice and data network currently used, is reaching the end of its lifetime. While reliable and fit for purpose for the immediate future, it’s limited and can’t compete with the opportunities offered by the new generation of mobile critical communications technology.
A new solution is needed: one that will give police, immigration officers, paramedics, firefighters and first responders in Britain access to the latest communications technology to help them do their jobs effectively and deliver the best possible service.
The new Emergency Services Network (ESN) has the potential to transform how Britain’s emergency services operate. It will transmit fast, safe and secure voice, video and data across the universal 4G network and provide first responders immediate access to life-saving data, images and information in real-time.
ESN’s high-speed mobile technology will mean that calls to the emergency services will take priority over all other network traffic, even at peak times in busy urban locations. It will enable 999 calls to be made securely from mobile phones in some of the most remote and rural parts of Britain for the first time.It will mean that the emergency services and first responders can share vital data and expertise quickly and securely from the frontline. They will be able to choose what meets their operational requirements from the most advanced tools and technologies.
ESN will provide a modern, safe and secure mission-critical communications network to Britain’s emergency services which will help keep the public safe now, and for generations to come. This is an exciting programme, delivering cutting edge technology which will directly impact people’s lives.
The Role:
ESMCP is one of Governments top 10 projects, It is a complex exciting project delivering a data and communications capability (Emergency Services Network – ESN) to over 300,000 Emergency services users in 300 user organisations across the breadth of the United Kingdom.
We are seeking an Operations Director to support the business through its next exciting phase of operational development. This role is accountable for the delivery and continuous improvement of essential operational services within ESMCP.
As an Executive Director, you will lead on the operational strategy for this large complex, matrix managed programme of 300+ staff and contracted services (excluding suppliers) across 2 locations – London and Bristol.
You will implement the strategic framework and develop and own the governance processes to drive improvements in customer, financial, commercial and delivery performance. You will lead the operational services that provide an efficient hub providing direction for the programme.
- Finance - ensuring that budgets are secured through spending review, delegated as appropriate throughout the programme, and tracked throughout the financial year. This includes negotiation with other Funding Sponsor Bodies outside Home Office (currently DHSC, Wales and Scotland)
- Commercial – driving our commercial strategy and ensuring compliance with commercial policies and processes.
- Communications - ensuring that our public communications and internal government communications are effective, targeted and consistent.
- Resourcing and Workforce Planning - to ensure that resources (civil service and complementary workforce) are recruited as required, and to ensure that the programme has a sound range of HR policies and practices.
- Programme Management Office – ensuring the hub of this large complex programme delivers on all central activity including reporting and governance, planning and risk management.
- Live Service Operations – this service is currently being built under the leadership of the ESMCP Delivery and Deployment Director but is expected to become a key part of our operations in the medium to long term, reporting to the Operations Director.
This is a critical executive leadership role within ESMCP. The programme is facing a time of significant change with the introduction of new suppliers and the opportunity to re-structure and change working practices for the most effective, streamlined delivery of ESN.
You can be based in either our London or Bristol office. Regular travel to the other site will be necessary.
Key Responsibilities:
- Ensure the ESMCP runs efficiently, based on ITIL- processes for a large, mission critical technology solution. This includes all aspects of systems and service management required for a highly reliable, highly available service for over 300,000 emergency services users. Account for meeting contracted SLAs and developing and implementing the transformational strategies and plans which enable ESN operations to work more productively and deliver better value for money.
- Lead the multi-disciplined geographically dispersed ESMCP Operations teams (including suppliers) of +450 across Finance, Commercial, Communications, Resourcing and Workforce Planning, the Programme Management Office and Liver Services Operations.
- Lead business planning and spending review processes for ESMCP aligning with all suppliers, tracking delivery against milestones, producing business cases and reporting through governance structures including Cabinet Office, No10 and the Public Accounts Committee
- Lead the procurement and contract management process for engaging and managing over 40 suppliers to ESMCP to deliver ESN. Total contract values will be in excess of £3BN over a 7-8 year period.
- Lead on the resourcing structure of ESMCP and the future ESN model working across current suppliers, whilst ensuring flexibility is built in for smooth changes in future, to deliver the most efficient services. This includes ensuring the right balance of Civil Servants, contract staff and managed service providers to deliver ESN, and establishing and driving a strategy to reduce our dependence on complementary workforce staff over time.
- Ensuring programme, internal government and external communications are targeted, consistent and effective. This includes developing proactive communications strategies as well as responding to media and parliamentary enquiries.
- A member of the programme Executive Leadership Team
- As a complex programme the responsibilities of this role are likely to evolve over the lifetime of the programme. The post-holder may be required to carry out other duties within the scope of the grade and within the limits of their skill, competence and training.