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Adaptive Manager
1. Name David Trotter
2. Use this section to provide information to evidence your education and professional qualifications relevant to the job
description(s), person specification(s) and context statement(s) for the position(s) you wish to be considered for
Please note that I have obtained the following qualifications that have enabled me to be an effective team member or when required to
do so act independently.
CIPS Advanced Diploma in Purchasing and Supply
BA (Hons) Business Studies, Bournemouth University
Institute of Purchasing and Supply (Foundation), the Polytechnic of North London
BTEC Higher National (Public Administration), Southampton Institute of Higher Education
BTEC National (Public Administration), Weymouth College
I have received training in Assertiveness, Business Writing, Communication Skills, Coaching Skills, Delegation Skills, Managing
Customer Complaints, Facilitation Skills, Presentation Skills, Managing Allegations (Children’s Services), Financial Management,
Business Objects, Microsoft Word, Office, Excel and Microsoft Access. I have attended courses in Effective Letter Writing, Contract
Pricing, and Support to Management, Management Training, and Project Management using PRINCE, Committee Administration, Minute
Writing, Report Writing and Diversity Essentials.
I also hold a number of sports related qualifications, ASA Swimming Coach, ECB Cricket Coach Level II, Diploma in Cricket Coaching,
Safeguarding in Children and Young People and First Aid at Work.
All of the above would help be to undertake any role within the Chief Executives Business Development, Policy, Partnerships and
Communications Restructure. I am focussed, organised, self motivated and adaptable. I consider myself to be a safe pair of hands who
is not only reliable but conscientious with proven leadership, communicative and investigative skills.
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3. Use this section to provide information to evidence your knowledge relevant to the position(s) you wish to be considered for,
including specific examples linked to the job description(s), person specification(s) and context statement(s)
I felt that it would be useful to highlight my current and previous positions set out below as my career history to identify the key areas of
focus that will help to demonstrate any knowledge gained.
Dorset County Council, Policy and Performance Officer (Performance Overview)
The current position mainly looks to coordinate a corporate-wide approach to the collection, collation and analyses of authority wide
performance. My main focus is to:
Provide regular performance monitoring and benchmarking analysis
Help to embed the management of performance and drive forward improvement with the use of performance and management
information to improve services.
To procure and management arrangements surrounding performance management software county wide for the Dorset
Performance Network, however this no longer meets and work priorities have moved on.
To support the County Complaints Officer and undertake sensitive investigations surrounding some complaints.
A lot of work has recently been focused on Outcome Based Accountability (OBA). As part of my secondment to Children’s Services I
produced the template for the Children’s Services Obsession Tracker. Work has also been undertaken on the production of concept
reports and innovative thinking on how we as an authority capture, manage and present performance information. I am working on a
number of ideas that will help to move the county council forward in this area of work. Many of the reports I am building are all produced
in line with the thinking on OBA ‘turning the curve’. For instance the Dorset Children’s Safeguarding Board report that I have produced for
Pan Dorset is a positive move towards this style of work. My initial work has been welcomed by all stakeholders.
North Dorset District Council, Performance and Review Policy Officer
This role was similar to my current position with a main focus on:
The production and development of the statutory Best Value Performance Plan.
The co-ordination of Performance Indicator data and production/presentation of reports to Committee.
The procurement and management of the outsourcing for the customer satisfaction surveys.
The procurement and letting of a contract for a suitable performance management software package.
Due to the changing role of local government my role was interesting as it looked at working with partners to deliver economic growth and
jobs that helped to deliver changes to the way the organisation was run. This is still very relevant today as some tough decisions have to
be made. We are in challenging times that require innovative thinking and far more proactive involvement with all organisations that could
manage service delivery.
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North Dorset District Council, Committee Administrator (Central Services)
This was my first position with NDDC prior to achieving promotion where I worked within Committee Services as an administrator. I
consider myself to have been an effective administrator who met tight deadlines due to the nature of the work and something utilised with
my current role. My key duties during this period of career development were to:
Service main committees, panels, working parties and provide procedural advice.
Responsibility for the overall co-ordination and management of planning appeals for the council.
The management of corporate complaints made against the council.
Towards the end as a Committee Administrator I had to ensure the day to day leadership, management, supervision and co-ordination of
all work of the Committee Section. This came about due to an officers’ long term sickness and an unfortunate incident that led to the
manager being dismissed. I admit that the role had become at times a challenge due to the hours worked and the need to provide
accurate records of every meeting serviced. I take a personal pride that I managed the service delivery during the difficult period with a
well managed efficient approach. I also took the opportunity to change the format and style of agendas and minutes which were
welcomed by all stakeholders that remains in place to this day.
Ministry of Defence (Procurement Executive), Administrative Officer, First Fitting Defects
As an officer within the Ministry of Defence the ability to be a clear communicator and to meet deadlines was essential due to the nature
of the high level work I undertook. My main focus was to:
Deal with the installation and removal of defective goods on board boats for the underwater weapons executive.
To regularly liaise with all stakeholders in order to ensure that replacement goods complied with relevant build standards and
when required were delivered on time.
To update the CLAN (Computer Land Army Navy) computer with information surrounding performance management data and
boat replacement build information.
During my period as a procurement officer within the Ministry of Defence (Procurement Executive) much of my time was spent on specific
projects surrounding underwater weapons, sonar systems and counter measures. Much of my emphasis was placed on first fitting defects
(FFDs) for boats within underwater weapons as essential components on boats broke down and my role was to ensure that replacements
parts reached the relevant boat on time. This was an exciting role with high level security implications. I was responsible for FFDs for
number of boats that featured in the nuclear fleet. Much of my role at that time was highly classified and subject to the Official Secrets
Act.
West Dorset District Council, Centre Assistant, and Duty Manager
In addition to a majority of my full time positions highlighted above I worked for West Dorset District Council as a Centre Assistant and
Duty Manager at the Thomas Hardy Leisure Centre. My main areas of focus were:
The responsibility for the safe and efficient running of the leisure centre which included the management of all staff whilst on duty.
That the centre was clean, presentable and that all customers were left satisfied.
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4. Use this section to provide information to evidence your experience relevant to the position(s) you wish to be considered for,
including specific examples linked to the job description(s), person specification(s) and context statement(s)
I felt, as above, that as I am asking to be considered for a number of positions within the current restructure then I needed to reflect my
key experiences within my varied roles to date. My intention is to highlight the wide range of experience that I have gained that has
helped me to develop into the reliable and trusted member of staff.
Dorset County Council, Policy and Performance Officer (Performance Overview)
With regard to performance I lead on the co-ordination and management of data for the corporate performance management reports. The
quarterly performance reports is collated on a regular basis and linked to our strategic priorities, outcomes and key performance
indicators. However there is now a move in a new direction with a strategic focus on outcome based accountability together with
alternative innovative methods for the presentation of data. I have produced a number of concept reports and presented ideas on the
possible approaches to be taken.
My current work stream links well with my secondment to Children’s services where I have established effective working relationships
with all staff and partner organisations to support initiatives to improve the use and presentation of performance data around a number of
key sensitive issues. My main area of focus for Children’s Services is the Dorset Safeguarding Children Board (DSCB) as I was
requested to consider an alternative method for the presentation and management of data surrounding safeguarding for the pan Dorset
board. The board has a strong membership of key partner agencies and I have had to produce a style of report that helps to ensure the
effectiveness of the agencies working together. The main challenge was to introduce a method of reporting where those areas within that
service needed attention. My draft report that fits the desired outcomes is currently being circulated.
I operate within a challenging environment yet I always try my best to support the authority at all levels in responding to the needs of all
stakeholders both internal and external. I deputise for the Corporate Complaints Officer when required to do so and undertake the roles
specific for that job. This role is undertaken seamlessly and without objection. I also support the Equality and Diversity Officer with all
works surrounding the Interpretation and Translation scheme and produced a number of documents from business case studies,
exemption to contract, and tender specifications with the sole purpose of obtaining a managed sole provider. This demonstrates that I am
a flexible and adaptable member of the team.
My main recent projects undertaken during the past few weeks have been:
Tour of Britain – research, liaison with the Tour organisers, production of report
Concept report for OBA Monthly Report Card – research, innovation, design and production of initial reports
Healthy Organisation OBA Performance Report – innovative approach to revised performance, production of concept reports,
info graphics, dashboards
Interpretation and Translation Project – performance reports, contact with suppliers, tender specifications, exemption to
contract documentation
Benchmarking reports – research and analysis, innovative design with formatting and production of user friendly reports
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North Dorset District Council
I was involved with a number of ambitious plans that was aimed to improve communities and the lives of local people. One decision was
to merely undertake all those functions that were statutory. I was a member of the policy management team that had to make some
difficult proposals for members, this included closure of youth and leisure centres. The authority just could not afford to undertake some of
its previous commitments. I was part of the process whereby officers met with private and voluntary sector organisations to work together
to achieve solutions to enable facilities such as a leisure centre to remain running.
The shift from committee services was a new direction for me that sat me at the heart of the organisation where I had to focus on
strategy, policy and partnerships support to the Central Management Team, Cabinet, Members and the general public together with
private and third sector partnership. I very much welcomed the opportunity as I could show my innovative and creative way of working
that enabled me to show and capture a working knowledge of the legislative and policy frameworks together with decision making
processes. My passion remains as strong as ever and I pride myself at being able to manage a range of complex workloads. I led on the
production of service plans for service areas and approached the process as incorporating both milestones from the Corporate Plan to
individual Personal Reviews. This worked well and helped to make staff feel valued. I called it ‘I make a difference’ whereby I found
outcomes/milestones in the Corporate Plan that could link to service plans and individual personal reviews.
I still continue to feel that I am particularly focused when working in a policy and partnerships environment, effectively advising and
supporting others to help influence change. I would like to think that I have developed the ability through my experiences to research and
develop innovative solutions to any strategic issues. I have gained interpersonal, communication and presentation skills that have helped
me to establish good working relationships with staff and stakeholders at all levels.
Having come from a procurement background I led on the procurement of a performance management solution to capture all data
surrounding the Corporate Plan. I was responsible of the production of all documentation from the start to the letting of the contract. The
whole exercise went well and was received well by senior officers and members a like. I used the software to present data in a life forum
with management teams and at the Executive Committee. As the administrator I reconfigured the system to build service plans and to
capture complaint information. My innovative approach for complaints so impressed the supplier (Covalent) they asked me to
demonstrate it to their IT developers who in turn created an area within the tool for complaints. I did not receive any commission! My work
in this area was recognised by Dorset County Council and I was basically head hunted to the performance team here to concentrate on
the running and build of the (QPR) system which was also a performance management tool and procured as part of the Local Area
Agreement work.
Ministry of Defence (Procurement Executive), Administrative Officer, First Fitting Defects
During my time with the Ministry of Defence I was lead for the collection and analysis of data that focused on corrective action on
defects/failures/faults that could occur in equipment during their design, development and production phases for boats. I led on the
analysis of data and highlighted areas for possible focus for action. This is something that I still undertake in my current role at the county
council. Unfortunately I still feel that feel that we need to learn from mistakes made and be better at the production of action plans to
remedy problematical areas.
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I introduced a similar approach for the Scrutiny Committee at North Dorset District Council that focused on areas of performance that
needed to be put back on track that was presented by the officer responsible for that area. This was something that worked well both at
North and at the Ministry of Defence. Equally important was the requirement to assess and, where necessary, restore the reliability of
equipment in-Service. To enable the assessment of the reliability of in-Service equipment, it was necessary to have a feedback of
defect/failure/fault information from the user. The results of such assessments, which identify areas of weakness, was also used as a
feedback into the design and development of next generation equipment so as to avoid similar conditions in future equipment. The
process is very similar to our current works surrounding outcome based accountability where we focus on providing our service users with
what they need and try to turn the curve on our performance. The experience I have gained has helped to highlight the need for robust
data quality and audit trials with supportive evidence.
My work surrounding the role was to describe and directly action the defect/failure/fault reporting systems operated by underwater
weapons. The processing and use of data, and its availability to MOD (PE) and industry was essential. I was solely responsible for this
important work and at times resulted in direct contact to contractors to deliver much needed parts to a boat that could be based anywhere
in the world. Obviously the task on hand had to be correct first time with no error what so ever due to the national security implications
involved. At that time I held the highest possible security clearance ‘secret UK eyes A’. I presented and supplied regular detailed related
reports that covered both cost and performance. My experience showed that summary reports were far better received that highlighted
both good and poor performance as ‘less is more.’
West Dorset District Council, Centre Assistant, and Duty Manager
As a centre assistant and duty manager at the leisure centre I assisted with the general management and administration necessary for
the smooth running of the centre. I took the lead role with regard to work in relation to operations and supported work for customer
services. A main area of duty and essential was to ensure that the centre was adequately staffed and that any issues were recorded and
reported in the correct manner. As Duty Manager the centre and all staff were under my charge. At times this was challenging due to
incidents that involved customers and issues surrounding staff that led to disciplinary procedures being enforced.
I undertook and managed project based tasks as and when required by the Leisure Services Manager. One such project was to make the
bar area into a profit making desirable area all users I managed to do this and within a period of three months the bar area was attracting
a large number of users through commissioned services, publicity and the formation of teams in both the local pool and darts league. The
bar area had gone from making a loss to making a profit and was an area that local residents wished to attend and use as a facility in its
own right. I used my innovative approach to involve local businesses with the use if the bar area and functions. Throughout this period as
Duty Manager I took the responsibility for the safe handling and banking of monies in accordance with the local authority’s Financial
Regulations and Procedures. My leisure centre activities were undertaken during evenings and weekends. This ran in apparel with my full
time day job. I worked long hours but I managed and practised each task with an efficient managed mindful cheerful approach.
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5. Use this section to provide information to identify your key skills relevant to the position/s you wish to be considered for, including
specific examples linked to the job description(s), person specification(s) and context statement(s).
You will note from the text above that I am an experienced customer focused individual who can easily work independently or a part of
any team. I remain focused, organised, self motivated and adaptable. I at all times am conscientious with proven leadership,
communicative and investigative skills.
My key skills and attributes are:
Commercial – Negotiation and project management
Communication – Clear communicator with strong interpersonal skills
Investigative – Analysing data, evaluating solutions to issues, innovation
IT – Use of office based packages, Windows suite
6. Use this section to provide information to evidence your ability to meet the essential criteria in the other factors section of the person
specification(s) including evidence against the behaviours relevant to the position(s) you wish to be considered for.
I note that all the posts are set out against the behaviours framework that sets out the expectations of
staff. I am a firm supporter of the framework having been affected in the past by an individual whose
behaviour and attitude was not acceptable. I consider myself to be a respectful caring person who treats
people in a manner in which I would like to be treated, for example, with fairness and dignity. I would hope
that all colleagues who I work with would find me as a helpful individual who is always willing to help or
lend a shoulder to lean on when required.
With regard to the positions post preference above together with text surrounding my knowledge,
experience and skills I feel that I have more than demonstrated the ability to meet Future focus,
Leadership, Integrity, Collaboration and Responsibility. In every area of the framework I have carried
out the outcomes in previous positions and now in my current role as the Policy and Performance Officer
(Performance Overview) I regularly undertake these attributes as should every officer of the county council. The behaviours framework is
something that is already part of my life as I hold all the outcomes within it as key assets to being a considerate better person.
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7. Use this section to provide details of any other relevant information that you wish to be taken into account.
I enjoy working within the Chief Executive’s Department sitting at the corporate centre where we support all officers to deliver against our
priorities to enable economic growth and the promotion of health, wellbeing and safeguarding. There has been a shift in organisational
culture whereby staff can take the initiative and produce work with greater independence and empowerment. I for one feel this working for
the Group Manager for Governance and Assurance Services. I am passionate about the continued work to align services that support the
whole organisation and welcome the opportunity to work within the planning and commissioning cycle, transformation and governance
and assurance area. I am currently focusing on the development of the outcomes framework looking at how we can improve the
measurement of the council’s performance as a contribution to outcomes.
A lot of my work both for the Chief Executive’s Department and Children’s Services is based on the fundamentals of Outcomes Based
Accountability (OBA) where I have created reports and innovative concepts that capture and presents data to support the methodology
around this work. I have led and supported on a number of projects to that seek to improve service delivery with a focus on an improved
consideration on what our citizens actually want. I also have a lot of experience with partnership working with our colleagues at District
and Borough authorities. This will likely become useful especially around the current thinking on devolution and unitary status. The
current discussions have provided a clear commitment to unitary government in Dorset and there will be opportunities to work with all
partners both in the public sector and voluntary organisations to develop the best for Dorset. The government is looking for public service
reform with ambition to devolve budgets and powers across the wider public sector. This is an exciting time as it’s an opportunity to try
new things and deliver options for strong organisations across the county. Bottom line its simple we need to deliver our services within
our reducing budgets. I hope that I have demonstrated above that I continue to develop the delivery of the Forward Together programme
through engagement with colleagues and customers.
In addition to the above many sporting activities are a true passion of mine, particularly cricket and swimming, both of which I have
represented at County level. I also hold ASA Preliminary Club Coach, ECB Level II and ECB Diploma in Cricket Coaching. I have also
attended sports coach UK Safeguarding and Protecting Children completed a DBS check and a qualified First Aider. I am the Head
Coach for West Dorset 14/15 squad and under my charge the squad have not lost a game. I run a number of group and one to one
sessions for cricket coaching. I have also written business plans for a number of local clubs. My efforts with regard to Dorset cricket have
been recognised by both the ECB and Dorset Cricket Board. Now that I am of a certain age I am once again representing Dorset on the
field of play in the Southern Counties and National Senior leagues. In all facets of my life I am a team player and someone that YOU can
RELY ON.
I also enjoy reading, current affairs and all aspects of healthy living. I tend to have a constant weight and fitness battle with regular
attendance at a local health and fat club! I am working towards the Professional Diploma in Procurement and Supply which is targeted at
building strategic direction and advice, in areas such as change management, stakeholder management and team leadership.
