Job Introduction
Working for Bradford Children and Families Trust offers the opportunity to work with talented and committed colleagues who are passionate about improving outcomes for children and families across our diverse and vibrant city. You will play a key role in shaping how the Trust works, using digital innovation to improve services, reduce administrative burden, and enable our workforce to focus on what matters most.
This is a new and exciting role, offering a rare opportunity to establish, lead and shape a brand‑new Automation & AI function within the Trust. You will be at the forefront of our digital transformation journey, helping to modernise how we deliver services and embedding responsible, effective automation and AI solutions across the organisation.
We are fully committed to equal opportunities and welcome applications from all backgrounds.
About the Role
As Automation & AI Solutions Manager, you will lead the Trust’s newly formed Automation & AI Solutions Team within Digital and IT Services. The role has strategic and operational responsibility for the design, delivery, governance and adoption of automation and AI‑enabled solutions across the Trust.
This is a senior technical leadership role with scope to define standards, build capability, set direction and influence organisational change. You will work closely with services across the Trust, senior leaders, and external partners to identify opportunities where automation and AI can improve efficiency, compliance, insight and user experience.
You will champion responsible and ethical use of AI, ensuring solutions are safe, transparent, accessible and compliant with data protection and safeguarding requirements. As a new function, you will have genuine freedom to innovate, pilot new approaches, and create a centre of excellence for automation and AI.
Your Key Responsibilities
- Provide leadership, direction and management of the Automation & AI Solutions Team, building capability and supporting professional development.
- Design, oversee and assure the delivery of complex automation and AI solutions using Microsoft Power Platform, Microsoft 365, Azure and related technologies.
- Establish and maintain governance frameworks, standards and best practice for automation and AI across the Trust.
- Lead on AI governance, safety and compliance, ensuring adherence to GDPR, ethical AI principles, accessibility standards and information security requirements.
- Identify and prioritise organisation‑wide opportunities for automation and AI, contributing to the Trust’s wider digital and transformation strategies.
- Lead proof‑of‑concept initiatives and assess the impact, risks and benefits of emerging technologies.
- Provide expert technical oversight, incident escalation support and assurance for high‑impact or complex solutions.
- Build strong relationships with service areas, influencing how automation and AI are embedded across frontline and corporate services.
- Represent the function with senior stakeholders, shared IT services and external suppliers where required.
Your Skills and Knowledge
We are looking for a motivated and forward‑thinking leader with strong technical expertise and a passion for using digital innovation to improve public services.
Essential requirements
- Significant experience designing, developing and deploying automation and/or AI‑enabled solutions.
- In‑depth technical knowledge of Microsoft Power Platform, Microsoft 365 and Azure.
- Experience leading or managing specialist technical teams or complex technical delivery.
- Strong understanding of AI governance, risk, safety and responsible use.
- Excellent communication skills and the ability to translate technical concepts for non‑technical audiences.
- Degree‑level qualification in Computing, ICT, Digital Technologies or equivalent professional experience.
- Relevant Microsoft certification(s) and evidence of ongoing professional development.
Desirable
- Experience establishing digital standards, governance frameworks or centres of excellence.
- Experience delivering large‑scale automation or AI transformation initiatives.
- Knowledge of tools such as Copilot, Azure OpenAI, AI Builder or conversational AI platforms.
- Project management qualifications (Agile or PRINCE2).
- Experience mentoring or developing technical capability across teams.
What We Offer
You will be joining an organisation that genuinely values its people and supports wellbeing, professional growth and work‑life balance, including:
- Enhanced annual leave: 31 days rising to 34 with service (plus bank holidays)
- Competitive salary with clear pay progression
- Excellent Local Government Pension Scheme
- Supportive carer and parental policies
- Enhanced maternity, paternity and adoption leave
- Access to Occupational Health and confidential counselling services
- Staff networks and wellbeing support
- Blue Light Card discounts, including cost‑of‑living support
Bradford Children and Families Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all employees to share this commitment.
To arrange an informal discussion, please contact:
james.hobson@bradfordcft.org.uk
Closing Date: 10 May 2026
Interviews: 28 May 2026, Sir Henry Mitchell House
