JOB SUMMARY

The Government Digital Service (GDS) is the digital centre of government. We are responsible for setting, leading and delivering the vision for a modern digital government.

Our priorities are to drive a modern digital government, by:

• Joining up public sector services
• Harnessing the power of AI for the public good
• Strengthening and extending our digital and data public infrastructure
• Elevating leadership and investing in talent
• Funding for outcomes and procuring for growth and innovation
• Committing to transparency and driving accountability

We are home to the Incubator for Artificial Intelligence (I.AI), the world-leading GOV.UK and at the forefront of coordinating the UK’s geospatial strategy and activity.
We lead the Government Digital and Data function and champion the work of digital teams across government.
We’re part of the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) and employ more than 1,000 people all over the UK, with hubs in Manchester, London and Bristol.
The Government Digital Service is where talent translates into impact. From your first day, you’ll be working with some of the world’s most highly-skilled digital professionals, all contributing their knowledge to make change on a national scale.
Join us for rewarding work that makes a difference across the UK. You’ll solve some of the nation’s highest-priority digital challenges, helping millions of people access services they need.

JOB DESCRIPTION

You will be joining the Strategy and Assurance Directorate, which is responsible for defining the vision, strategy and ambition for government digital and data, including the role of the digital centre, as well as providing rigorous oversight of digital delivery through spend assurance and controls, and service assessments.
As the Head of Strategy, you will:
Lead and own cross government digital and data strategies, including, but not limited to, the Digital and AI roadmap, aligning commitments with the Blueprint for Modern Digital Government and GDS goals. You will see strategies through development, launch, subsequent iteration, refreshes and implementation tracking.
Work regularly with senior Digital, Data and Technology leaders across departments, as well as with senior officials in GDS and DSIT. You will also champion the digital profession and agenda with senior leaders outside the profession. This will include providing flexible, agile strategic support as demands and events require it.
Provide strategic advice to departments as required, to support an all of government effort in achieving the outcomes set out in the Blueprint for modern digital government.
Support GDS colleagues to design and implement effective plans through strategic input and critical thinking.
Engagement with His Majesty’s Treasury (HMT) at major critical spending events such as Spending Reviews.
Collaborate with HMT and the centre to ensure digital and data are considered in departmental spend and that GDS is able to influence in modernising funding and other business processes across government.
Lead a multidisciplinary and geographically dispersed team. Create a culture of flexibility, where the team will feel supported and confident in leading across evolving priorities and have the required support and development to succeed.

ESSENTIAL CRITERIA

We are seeking applicants with the following experience:
A proven ability to think strategically, solve problems pragmatically and at pace, and bring structure to uncertainty in fast paced, political and complex environments;
An ability to translate complex and broad material (both qualitative and quantitative) into clear written or oral analysis and communications, including briefings and presentations;
Excellent quality in delivery and an ability to operate effectively and flexibly in a fast paced, political and complex environment;
A track record of building and leading high performing, highly engaged and cross-functional teams and a commitment to coaching and development to drive a culture that drives excellence and collaboration. You will have experience in leading a team that can operate flexibly and move between projects;
A track record of building and maintaining effective relationships with senior leaders and excellent skills in managing a range of stakeholders. The ability to form and maintain strong collaborative relationships, credibly engaging with and influencing senior leaders and the ability to negotiate constructively.

NATIONALITY REQUIREMENTS

This job is broadly open to the following groups:

• UK nationals
• nationals of the Republic of Ireland
• nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
• individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
• Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service

Further information on nationality requirements

Digital
Policy
Strategy