ICT Innovation Lead - Herts - Ring fenced for ICT staff
We are seeking an Innovation Lead to join our Enterprise Architecture team within the collaborated Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire, Hertfordshire (BCH) ICT Department. This is an exciting role, often looking at the newest software and technology.
Working with the Enterprise Architecture team you will lead the development and delivery of digital innovation across BCH ICT, ensuring alignment with national and regional innovation strategies.
- Lead the design and implementation of the BCH Innovation Model, ensuring alignment with the National Innovation Strategy, Police Digital Service (PDS), and Eastern Region Innovation Network (ERIN).
- Drive the development of digital transformation initiatives, including horizon scanning, proof-of-concept pilots, and benefits realisation.
- Engage with ICT, operational policing, and external partners to identify the areas with the greatest opportunities for innovation and translate them into deliverable projects.
- Develop and maintain a digital innovation roadmap, ensuring alignment with organisational priorities and the BCH Digital Strategy
- Provide oversight of innovation governance, ensuring appropriate controls, reporting, and evaluation mechanisms are in place.
- Act as a senior advisor on innovation and digital strategy to the ICT Senior Leadership Team and Force Executive Boards.
- Represent BCH ICT in regional and national innovation forums.
Join the exciting and dynamic world of policing and contribute towards making Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire a safer place. There are many benefits to working within the BCH ICT Department, including a competitive salary, agile working arrangements, flexible working, a public sector local government pension scheme and access to onsite gymnasiums at HQ sites. In ICT we recognise the value of an inclusive and diverse workforce.
The successful candidate should have the following skills and experience:
- Proven experience in leading digital innovation or transformation programmes in a complex environment
- Strong understanding of emerging technologies and their application in public service delivery.
- Demonstrated ability to develop and implement strategic frameworks and governance models.
- Excellent stakeholder engagement and communication skills, with experience influencing at senior levels.
There is flexibility within this role for hybrid working, and you may choose your base working location from the three Headquarters sites within BCH: Kempston, Huntingdon or Welwyn Garden City.
You will be required to pass appropriate vetting requirements and to work across Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire, attend meetings (BCH, regionally & nationally) and to liaise and work with staff in different locations, therefore the ability to travel is essential.
For more information about this role please contact Audrey Hudson via audrey.hudson@beds.police.uk
Additional Advert Information
All internal applicants must have successfully completed their probationary period to apply for this role.
Please note - If you qualify as an internal candidate for this role with the force that is advertising then Internal applicants can upload either a CV or the internal role summary form attached to the advert.
Please be advised that as part of the Vetting Process the BCH Vetting Unit may be required to contact your current line manager for a Supervisor Appraisal. This is in line with the 2025 National Guidelines for Vetting (APP 6.5.18). Please see examples below of when this would be a necessary requirement:
- When an individual is applying to transfer forces
- When an individual is having their vetting renewed
- When an individual is moving into a role that needs MV clearance, even if they are already in a role that requires MV
- When an individual is moving into or already in a role working closely with vulnerable individuals
If any of the above relate to your circumstances, then please expect that your current line manager will be contacted for a Supervisor Appraisal at the point of submitting your vetting application.
This vacancy is live to those at risk of redundancy and will remain open to redeployees until a final offer has been agreed with a successful candidate and accepted by them.
Redeployees at risk of redundancy will take priority over all other applicants at any point during the recruitment process. If a redeployee does apply and is successful, they will remain on their home force’s terms and conditions.
It is recommended that you download and store a copy of the role profile as this will no longer be available once the advert has closed.
As a Disability Confident leader, we take personal responsibility to help create an inclusive workplace, where police officers and staff respect one another, feel valued for their differences and can be themselves. We are committed to providing workplace adjustments, wherever needed so everyone feels welcome and can flourish. If you have a disability and you meet the minimum criteria for the position you are applying for, you will be entitled to an interview under the ‘Offer an Interview Scheme’