Interim Systems Implementation Lead (Housing)

Interim Systems Implementation Lead (Housing) – Hybrid working

The Role

We are looking for an experienced Interim Systems Implementation Lead (Housing) to lead organisational and system change across Housing Services.

You will translate the Council’s housing IT roadmap into reliable, digitally enabled ways of working that improve outcomes for customers, colleagues and the Council. Acting as the link between business processes and system requirements, you will help move services away from fragmented or manual processes towards consistent systems, workflows, reporting and operational practices.

Working closely with the Housing Leadership Board, Systems & Data Manager, service managers, IT, suppliers and operational teams, you will lead the design, testing, implementation, rollout and continuous improvement of new modules within MRI Enterprise and associated housing, data, reporting and workflow solutions.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the housing IT roadmap programme, managing scope, resources, dependencies, risks, budget and delivery, with clear reporting to senior leadership.

• Coordinate the full implementation lifecycle, including process design, data validation, system configuration, testing, go-live, change management and ongoing improvement.

• Manage suppliers and external technical consultants, ensuring resources, timescales, service levels and deliverables meet programme requirements.

• Work with IT and Systems & Data colleagues to support system integration, documentation, maintenance and long-term adoption.

• Map customer journeys, operational workflows and reporting requirements with service managers and frontline teams.

• Lead user acceptance testing (UAT), including developing test scripts, coordinating testing and tracking issues through to resolution.

• Support data migration and quality, including ETL processes from legacy systems into MRI, while maintaining data protection and integrity.

• Develop practical guidance, documentation, templates and training to help staff use new systems confidently and consistently.

• Work with managers and staff to embed new systems and processes into everyday practice, gathering feedback and identifying opportunities for improvement.

• Where appropriate, involve residents in the design and implementation of new systems and processes.

• Maintain implementation plans, action and risk logs, milestones and trackers, escalating issues where progress or adoption is not on track.

• Provide regular updates to senior leadership on progress, risks, barriers, adoption and system effectiveness.

• Support the development of KPI reporting, dashboards and management information to provide accurate and timely performance insight.

• Ensure implementation delivers measurable benefits within agreed timescales, costs and service priorities.

About You

• Strong project and programme management skills and the ability to work effectively in a fast-paced, high-activity environment.

• A good understanding of housing management, with experience or knowledge of system design, configuration or module development.

• Experience delivering system implementations, business change or digital transformation.

• Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills, with the ability to work collaboratively across services and with suppliers.

• Experience of user acceptance testing, data quality, process mapping and embedding new ways of working.

• The ability to monitor delivery, identify barriers, manage risks and ensure agreed actions are followed through.

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to translate operational requirements into effective digital solutions.

• SQL skills are desirable, particularly for data quality, testing and system configuration.

• A strong commitment to improving customer-focused housing services through effective use of systems, data and technology.

This is an exciting opportunity to play a key role in modernising Housing Services, strengthening the use of data and systems, improving evidence of delivery and supporting regulatory and service priorities