My client is looking for an EAO Technical Team Manager

The EAO Technical Team Manager's TOR aligns with an individual with a sound technical architecture background but with exposure to team management and technical delivery. There is a need for good solution/ technical architecture skills covering a broad spectrum of technologies including operating systems, database management systems, application servers and development tools but specifically those from Microsoft and Oracle. The role requires an individual who has the stature to work with the business (requirements/ benefits), project managers (solution delivery) and technical SMEs (strategy formulation, standards and policies). Stronger candidates will have had exposure to working in a programme/ project management environment (MSP/ PRINCE 2) but not necessarily as a programme/ project manager.
1.Introduction
1.1.My client is responsible for providing managed, cost effective and sustainable Information Communication Services (ICS) that are capable of meeting the operational and business requirements of my client. As part of this capability, a number of bespoke applications have been developed or procured together with a number of hosted COTS packages. To deliver and support these applications the Programme and Projects Branch is engaged in a number of IT projects which range in complexity and provide differing levels of risk to the business.
2.Background
2.1.One of the sections within G6 is the Enterprise Architects Office (EAO) and its function has been to historically support my clients programmes and projects. Unfortunately, this has led to a tactical approach to the delivery and management of ICS requirements. There is an urgent need to elevate the responsibilities of the EAO and re-focus the efforts of its Enterprise Architects (EAs) on understanding the business vision, strategy, its processes and providing alignment with the underlying Information Technology architecture.
2.2.The timing of this change is also being driven by Project HYPERION which is responsible for delivering a collocated Land Forces organisation, into Andover, using the assets of Land Forces. The current and future needs of the Land Forces enterprise architecture have to be fully defined, agreed and accommodated by the Project.
2.3.A Lead Architect has recently been brought in to take this work forward and the intention is to produce a vision for ICS, underlying strategies and an appropriate Target Operating Model that drives the change programme portfolio. This work is to be achieved through an EAO with 3 primary architecture functions as follows:
2.3.1.Enterprise Architect – Technology: networks, data centres, data hosting and end user technology.
2.3.2.Enterprise Architect – Information: information and data management, enterprise applications and bespoke applications.
2.3.3.Enterprise Architect – Compliance – security, testing and in-service management.
The EAO is to provide business alignment, IT strategic direction and technical assurance, advice and guidance within G6 and across Land Forces.
2.4.However, there is also a need to ensure that the current levels of EAO support provided to programme and project delivery is enhanced to firmly align this emerging strategy and its associated policies and standards. Therefore, it has been decided to create a Technical Team that comprises a pool of Technical Architects and DBAs covering the Microsoft and Oracle technologies. The Team will be led by a Technical Team Manager who in turn reports to the Lead Architect.
3.Aim
3.1.The aim of this document is to detail the Terms of Reference for the EAO Technical Team Manager
4.Role Purpose
4.1.The Technical Team Manager is to provide an effective technical conduit between the Enterprise Architects and all Land Forces programmes and projects. Towards this purpose the Technical Team Manager:
4.1.1.Directs and manages the Technical Team by:
4.1.1.1.Establishing a firm technical understanding/ linkage between the EAs and all programmes and projects that require, or have independently engaged, technical architects, developers or DBA resources.
4.1.1.2.Undertaking the day to day management and prioritisation of the Technical Delivery Team ensuring that their work is aligned with the broader priorities of G6, escalating via the chain of command any prioritisation conflicts as appropriate.
4.1.2.Liaises with the EAs to ensure that all work undertaken aligns and converges with the Land Forces Enterprise Architecture. This is to include the provision and feedback and advice in relation to:
4.1.2.1.Any issues with the enterprise architecture or any recurring issues that need addressing strategically.
4.1.2.2.Any technical “changes in direction” for projects currently underway.
4.1.2.3.The compliance of technical delivery with EAO policies and standards escalating any incidence of non-compliance by programmes or projects.
4.1.3.Assists in the interpretation and alignment of EA policies and standards in the technical delivery of programmes and projects.
4.1.4.Acs as the “front door” to the Team, to ensure visibility of tasking and that requests are routed to the most appropriate resource.
4.1.5.Promotes technical delivery on behalf of the G6 Branch whilst enforcing the role of G6 within Land Forces through expert knowledge and excellence.
4.1.6.Assists with the specification and procurement of new technical products including software and services.
4.1.7.Works with the EAs to ensure that they allocate sufficient time to provide the required strategic direction, guidance and assurance to programmes and projects.
5.Description of Tasks. The Technical Team Manager:
5.1.1.Establishes, owns and maintains:
5.1.1.1.A Task and Resource Plan for the Team.
5.1.1.2.An EAO Programme Delivery Schedule that details technical decision points in support of all programmes and projects.
5.1.1.3.A technical delivery Interdependency Plan between programmes and projects.
5.1.2.Provides a monthly report to the EAO's Lead Architect and SO2 Projects on current activities, forecasted workload, risks and issues.
5.1.3.Provides technical assurance of the work undertaken by the Technical Team. This is to include:
5.1.3.1.Ensuring all work undertaken by the Technical Team is appropriately documented and where appropriate tested.
5.1.3.2.Engaging and managing external technical assurance of new architectures as appropriate
5.1.4.Provides advice, guidance and representation on technical delivery aspects in G6 and wider Land Forces meetings.
5.1.5.Establishes a close working relationship with all Technical Architects, Developers and DBAs such that they can translate EA requirements into model specifications by:
5.1.5.1.Assisting in the development of interconnected business and technology models that are fit-for-purpose. These models must:
5.1.5.1.1.Cover the views of multiple stakeholders; resolve conflicts of interest and address stakeholder concerns and issues.
5.1.5.1.2.Be practical and support systems/ solution development, procurement and implementation.
5.1.5.2.Providing guidance on solution developments that ensure that options are selected that best meet business strategies, technical strategies and support risk and cost/ benefit analyses.
5.1.5.3.Expanding and refining the models to continually increase flexibility and improve alignment to both current and expected requirements.
5.1.5.4.Monitoring, reviewing and improving the accuracy of the models.
5.1.5.5.Sharing the models and information with the organisation.
5.1.5.6.Developing classifications that aid understanding improve consistency and support analyses of the models.
5.1.5.7.Ensuring the accuracy, completeness integrity and security of the models.
5.1.5.8.Developing modelling policies and guidelines.
5.1.5.9.Ensuring that models are fit for purpose and form a basis for project developments and decision-making.
5.1.6.Works with programmes and projects by:
5.1.6.1.Assisting in the production of plans that realise technical objectives.
5.1.6.2.Embedding technical policies, standards, requirements and processes.
5.1.6.3.Monitoring the design, manufacture, test and release of technical products.
5.1.6.4.Identifying and evaluating technical alternatives, determining which are technically acceptable and performing associated risk and value assessments.
5.1.7.Establishes a close working relationship with the G6 DevNet Support Team and G6 Test Cell providing technical assistance on the systems, processes and procedures that supports their activities.
5.1.8.Conducts Technical Healthchecks under the direction of the EAs and the G6 Programme and Project Support Office.
6.Essential Skills. It is essential that the individual has:
6.1.Excellent technical team management skills including:
6.1.1.People management.
6.1.2.Work package estimating, planning and managing.
6.1.3.Task prioritisation.
6.1.4.Appropriate management escalation.
6.2.Good technical authoring skills.
6.3.Good solution/ Technical Architecture skills covering a broad spectrum of technologies including operating systems, database management systems, application servers and development tools but specifically those from Microsoft and Oracle.
6.4.A good understanding of application development and testing techniques.
6.5.The capacity and self-motivation required to meet the demands of the tight timelines and rapidly evolving priorities.
6.6.Excellent communication and co-ordination skills.
7.Desired Skills. It is desired that the individual has:
7.1Experience of working within a Defence environment.
7.2Experience of defining technical architectures for COTS package deployments and bespoke developed applications.
8.Experience. Minimum experience requirements are:
8.1.At least 2 years experience of managing a team of technical resources.
8.2.At least 5 years experience of working with an IT organisation.