Deputy Director, Identity Product

At the Government Digital Service (GDS), our mission is to build a simple, joined-up and personalised experience of government for everyone. Using our unique position at the centre of government, we develop services that work for the user, however complex the underlying systems may be. We believe that ensuring things work for end users is the only way to realise the efficiencies that come with digital transformation.

1. Our focus is on delivering five missions in the following areas:
2. GOV.UK as the single and trusted online destination for government information and services
3. Joined-up services that solve whole problems and span multiple departments
4. A simple digital identity solution that works for everyone
5. Common tools and expert services
6. Joined-up data across departments

You can read more about these missions and our vision for the transformation of government in our 2021-2024 strategy

What you'll do

In your capacity as Deputy Director, Identity Product, you will oversee the Digital Identity product for GDS. We are looking for a person who thrives on challenges and is passionate about making a difference - if you are pragmatic and keen to deliver great products then this could be the place for you. The Deputy Director is a key leadership role that offers the opportunity to shape and evolve our product strategy, supporting teams to make good decisions and deliver a service that ’simply works’ and is inclusive by default.


Find out more about the DDaT Profession on GOV.UK https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/digital-data-and-technology-profession

As a Deputy Director, Identity Product you’ll:

• Provide outstanding leadership to embed an inclusive and healthy workplace culture in which teams can thrive
• Ensure that benefits realisation is central to the product roadmap, with a focus on delivering early outcomes.
• Understand and implement the lessons learned from Verify in the product area.
• Represent your products and your team, and communicate plans and progress through various channels including blogs, demonstrations and conferences.

Who you are

We’re interested in people who have:

• Extensive experience of defining a product vision, leading strategy and delivering a suite of high-profile digital products and teams at significant scale and pace across complex organisations.

• Expert ability to inspire, engage with and lead multi-disciplinary teams through the operational process of designing, building and running a product or service throughout its entire lifecycle.

• Proven track record of decomposing difficult problems into actionable missions and objectives for teams to implement, pulling on your experience of working across multiple disciplines including service and interaction design, user research, software engineering and data analysis.

• Exceptional interpersonal and influencing skills, with the ability to establish credibility, capable of flexing your style to understand and engage with different audiences; building a strong narrative and advocating OneLogins national impact and purpose both internally and externally

• A track record of providing visible leadership in a matrix environment inspiring, motivating and developing others, with proven ability to build supportive and high performing teams as well as a demonstrable commitment to diversity and nurturing a culture of inclusivity.

How to apply

Gatenby & Sanderson, an executive search agency, has been selected to assist with this appointment. There are three elements to this application:

1. Please submit an up to date and relevant CV setting out your career history, with responsibilities and achievements

2. Please submit a Supporting Statement (no more than 2 pages of  A4) that addresses the criteria set out in the person specification, using examples to demonstrate how you meet the essential requirements.

3. Once you have submitted your CV and supporting statement, you will receive an email inviting you to record video responses to the following questions:

•       What do you perceive to be the top three challenges in this role?

•       What aspects of your experience make you well qualified for this job?

Full instructions on how to complete the video application will be included with the link. If you require support or have questions relating to the role or the application process, please contact Sarah Luxford on 07812 150 386

To apply for this post, you will need to submit your application directly to Gatenby & Sanderson by no later than 23:55 8th May 2022. Before submitting your application we recommend you review the microsite for further information about the position and the recruitment process. We look forward to receiving your application.

GDS offers hybrid working for all employees. This means that everyone does some working from home/remote working and also spends some time in their local office. You will agree your hybrid working arrangement with your line manager in line with your preferences and business need.

A reserve list will be held for a period of 12 months, from which further appointments can be made.

Candidates that do not pass the interview, however have demonstrated an acceptable standard will be considered for similar roles at a lower grade.