Apply to be new Head of Innovation

We’re looking for someone for a 6 month contract as Head of Innovation, reporting to the Director of Strategy and Proposition. This person will work alongside the current Head of Innovation for a short time to come up to speed on Directgov | innovate and will help take the initiative to the next level.

If you are looking for a challenge and feel that you have what it takes to be an innovator at Directgov, then take the next step and apply through one of the agencies listed below.

To apply, please contact one of the following agencies:

• Nick Cochrane at Zebra People, 020 7729 4771
• Clare Pearson at LA International, 01782 203 040
• Adriano Herdman at Aquent, 020 7299 0263
• Amit Desai at Michael Page, 020 7269 6214

The deadline for applying is: 12pm on Friday, 14 August.

The Role: Head of Innovation G7, Directgov

Directgov is the government website for public services in the UK. Launched in 2004, the site now receives over 15 million visits a month from members of the public wanting access to information from low cost home ownership schemes and finding their local school, to renewing their car tax online.

By 2011, all public facing services on central government websites should be available on the Directgov website; 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. A ‘web convergence’ programme is currently under way to migrate information and services from the large number of existing government websites onto Directgov, so that people will be able to find what they need easily, all in one place. Directgov is also available through digital TV's interactive services on Virgin Media and Sky, as well as Freeview and web-enabled mobile phone networks.

The job

The role holder is responsible for managing the development of the Innovation initiative for Directgov. The role involves managing and growing the Directgov | innovate website, analysing innovative new open source methods of web design & development, devising Web 2.0 and Web 3.0 prototypes for trial on the web platform, liaising with Directgov staff, franchises, supersites and Other Government Departments (OGD) to develop the Directgov | innovate platform as a web-based innovation centre. The role also involves liaison with the open source developer community through blogging, interaction on the web platform, attendance at and development of events, and promoting the Directgov | innovate efforts. The role holder will manage the Innovation team and work to ensure the team efforts help support the future direction of the main Directgov site by acting as a testing ground for new technologies.

Professional profile

• Proven creative thinker and problem solver in the digital innovation space
• Able to view Directgov services in light of new technologies and identify opportunities for innovation
• Demonstrable innovative product design experience and proven achievements in delivering successful online products
• A strong knowledge of current and future technology capabilities, and a good appreciation of the implications for government moving towards increased delivery of information and services, through digital channels
• Experienced in utilising a user-centred design methodology and applying it to online developments
• Strong background in web best practices, clear understanding of associated standards and usability requirements
• Proven experience working at a senior level in large, complex organisations
• Strong leadership and team management skills, along with the ability to pull together activities from across multiple groups into a common plan

In addition, you will have the following core skills:

• Experience of working with Web 2.0 and Web 3.0 technologies
• Ability to work in a rapid design and development environment
• Proven experience of designing/delivering interactive tools and applications
• Proven experience conducting requirements capture sessions and defining project requirements
• Ability to develop requirements into viable customer journeys
• Strong understanding of developing wireframes and prototypes for online delivery, from building paper based concepts to HTML prototypes
• Excellent planning and analytical skills to define objectives, and identify and solve problems
• Strong ability to analyse work requirements, establish priorities and delegate assignments across the team
• Effective skills to monitor user behaviour and expectations within the digital environment and then shape products to improve service and levels of satisfaction
• Experience of working in partnership with external organisations and suppliers, negotiating contracts and providing direction and influence
• Experience of financial management skills in controlling budgets, allocating resources, analysing and presenting budgetary forecasts, and achieving ongoing efficiencies
• Excellent team management skills, able to draw together the disparate views of many groups and collate them into a single vision
• Ability to deal with senior professionals across a variety of disciplines to deliver the required outcomes
• Solid stakeholder management skills to ensure effective relationships and influence a wide range of stakeholders
• A commitment to excellence
• Excellent verbal and written communications skills