Lead Automation Developer

Salary: £57,186 rising to £62,205 per annum + Excellent Benefits including Government Pension

Location: Hybrid Working/Police Headquarters, Exeter OR Police Headquarters, Winfrith, Dorset

Closing Date: 23/10/2026, Midday

Hours per week: This role is 37 hours per week. However, we welcome applications from individuals wishing to work on a part-time basis and we are willing to consider flexible working patterns subject to business need.

About the role:

This Lead Automation Developer role sits within the Alliance Business Change Department and forms an integral part of the Automation Team serving Devon & Cornwall Police and Dorset Police. The team develops a digital workforce that creates capacity, improves resilience and enables both Forces to realise technological, operational and reputational benefits.

As Lead Automation Developer, you will provide technical leadership across the automation development lifecycle. You will architect and deliver complex automations, assure the quality and security of solutions produced by Automation Developers, support deployed automations, and help develop the automation discipline across the organisation. You will report to the Automation Manager and work closely with business stakeholders, ICT colleagues and change professionals.

This department offers a flexible, hybrid-working approach, with the role based at either Dorset Police HQ Winfrith or Devon & Cornwall Police HQ Exeter. Home working is available where appropriate, alongside flexible hours and a flexitime scheme, subject to operational requirements.

Main Responsibilities:

• Lead the architectural design and development of complex, well-structured automation solutions, ensuring clear documentation throughout the development lifecycle.
• Set and assure development standards, code quality, security, data protection, supportability and the use of reusable automation components.
• Provide technical leadership in Blue Prism and related automation technologies, resolving complex development and integration challenges.
• Design test procedures and scenarios, oversee User Acceptance Testing, document outcomes and secure formal business sign-off before deployment.
• Oversee operational handbooks, hypercare, transition into business-as-usual support, and structured change control for live automations.
• Mentor and develop Automation Developers & Controllers, promoting professional accreditation, knowledge sharing and continuous improvement.
• Manage automation projects and development activity, monitoring plans, risks, issues, dependencies, budgets and delivery against required specifications.
• Collaborate with ICT teams and business stakeholders to select appropriate technical solutions, including APIs, web services and enterprise applications.
• Maintain awareness of industry developments and engage with other police forces and professional communities to share best practice and drive innovation.

Interview and Assessment

You will have an interview based on the Competency Values Framework, Level 2 and there is also an assessment which will assess candidates' ability to develop complex automation solutions, provide technical design and assurance at a lead level, and demonstrate the leadership required to own and shape the technical direction of the automation service.

For further information, please see role profile.

Want to know more about this role?

Please click on the 'Apply' button to be taken to the vacancy on our website for further information about the role including the role profile. For a conversation regarding the role, once you have viewed the full details on our website, please contact:

Hiring Line Manager: Andy Dyer

• Robotic Process Automation Manager

Email: [email protected]

PLEASE NOTE: Should you decide to apply for this role, when you are asked to state how you found out about this vacancy, please remember to select LinkedIn.

What you get if you join us:

• A competitive salary with yearly increments.
• 25 days a year leave entitlement, with an increase to 30 days after 5 years continuous employment, plus bank holidays (pro-rata for part time workers).
• Access to heavily subsidised gym membership that will provide you access to police site gyms throughout the counties.
• Access to the Blue Light Card Scheme for discounts and services (requires a one off payment of £5).
• Company sick pay.
• Competitive local government pension scheme.
• Job related equipment, as required.
• Free onsite parking at many police sites throughout the counties.
• Access to Group insurance scheme (via salary sacrifice scheme).
• Support networks, free Employees Assistance Programme, Occupational Health and wellbeing services.
• Development and training opportunities.
• Supportive and flexible training plan, including regular check-ins throughout your initial period of joining us to ensure you are up to speed with the role and getting the support you need.
• Flexitime, with the ability to undertake your hours flexibly and in line with business need.
• Hybrid working, with the ability to work remotely at times throughout the working week (once signed off the training plan).