New to Site - Employment Questions

[Familybell]

Hi There,

Love the look of the site. I have a couple of employment issues that I'd like to run pas 'the crowd' to see if anyone has some advice.

I am the IT Manager, Head of IT and Senior Management Team (SMT) member for a group of care companies based in Wiltshire (England). The company has been going for twelve years but I have only been doing this job for three and a half years now and I thoroughly enjoy it.

The group of four companies employs around 250 staff members. My department has been chronically underfunded since day one, such that I've had to implement a ‘make do and mend’ tactic to keep the IT systems from completely crashing and burning. I am the lowest paid member of the SMT by a large margin.

Within the group, we have four companies for which I handle the IT systems. (it was three companies when I started but we launched another last year). In my short time here, I have implemented big changes in the company. In the last three years we've:

• migrated from the company core software system to another more flexible and cheaper provider
• moved the company files, email and productivity suites off premise to a cloud-based infrastructure
• Converted from POTS phones to IP phones
• Moved from paper-based workflow to app-based workflow
• There are also other countless minor projects and improvements I've overseen and implemented.

For most of this time I’ve been working on my own. This last year we promoted an in-house IT hobbyist to help out. Unfortunately, he has been long-term ill for some time. We hired another person to fill his boots and I’m training this person at the moment.

I am the head of all IT systems within the four companies. I was informed on Friday (3 days ago) that 17 days ago an advert had been posted for a “Chief Technical Officer” to head up the IT systems. Effectively the company is advertising my current job with a different title. The incoming CTO would head up IT, sit in my seat on the SMT and strategise over the IT projects in the same way I have been doing, In effect, he will be doing the job that I do at the moment. He would have a different title, but “A rose would smell as sweet by any other name”. No, that’s not strictly-speaking true in that the rolls are not completely identical. As well as strategising conceiving, designing and procuring these projects, I additionally, actually implemented them too.

Now to the gutter… The proposed CTO will be earning more than three times my current salary.

I suspect this change is being pushed by the part owner of the business whoi is also CEO of a far-larger global company and who is quite used to paying for higher-salary SMT appointees.

I have not been made redundant and I will be applying for the position (albeit with a reduced amount of time to get my application straight), I understand they have already had seven good candidates. This feels wrong, & It does not, therefore, feel legal. Can anyone advise what should I do?

[Kati]

Tagging Ula mariefab xx

[mariefab]

Do you have a copy of the CTO job ad?
If so, does it specify the job spec and/or the skills/experience required?

[Familybell]

Do you have a copy of the CTO job ad?
If so, does it specify the job spec and/or the skills/experience required?

This is what was posted. Pretty vague in detail and atrocious spelling/grammar...

Chief Technology Officer (CTO)
Permanent
£80 - £120,000 per annum (dependent on experience) + Benefits
Salisbury

I have an exciting opportunity for an experienced CTO to join an innovative organisation that are currently looking to introduce a market changing product to their customers!

Think digital and think Tinder meets Uber!

As CTO you will responsible for souring and developing the platform and technology to further maximise the efficiencies of what this company can offer their customers.

You will also develop the team to monitor, develop and improve the platform and technical estate to meet company goals and ideas.
Other responsibilities will include but not limited too:
*Devise policies, procedures to implement SDLC framework
*Fully aware of industry regulations and how we carry this forward to ensure technical compliance and governance (Information Security included)
*Control of strategic technology roadmap of the business
*Ensuring customer experience
*Ensuring platform is integrated with social media outlets.


Experience needed:
*Previous experience within an senior IT position (CTO, IT Director)
*Experience in managing complex systems in a technical environment
*Experience in taking idea's from "proof of concept" - "Product launch"
*Experience in programme and project management
*User focused. Appreciation for user experience
*Strong communication skills
*Personable. Able to easily build relationships with others.

If this position sounds of interest then please follow the link below to apply and I will be in touch.

[Amethyst]

Tinder meets Uber ? that conjures up some very strange images.

When you were informed about the ad, was that as an invitation to apply, or was it just a colleague brought it to your attention ?

[mariefab]

Definitely apply.
It's not illegal for them to recruit for a new post, Although it seems that, unless they thought the IT Fairy had been carrying out your current role for the last few years, it would have been easier for them to just change your title.

Make sure to specify individually how you meet/have met every one of their requirements.
I'd point out in your cover letter (or at the appropriate place in the application form) how well your current role and experience is described in the ad and that you are delighted to have the opportunity to have your hard work and achievements over the past few years recognised and appropriately financially rewarded.
Keep copies.

If they fail to give you this job you may have a case for unfair dismissal.
Don't be too surprised if, after receiving your suitably crafted application they suddenly find that they don't need/can't afford after all.