Chief Digital and Information Officer - Insolvency Service - SCS1

Location

Birmingham, Cardiff, Croydon, Edinburgh, Exeter, Ipswich, Leeds, Manchester, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, Nottingham, Stratford.
The role is available from any of our regional centres with regular travel to London, Manchester, Birmingham required.

About the job

Job summary

This is a pivotal leadership role at the heart of a major public service transformation.

The Insolvency Service is modernising how it supports citizens in financial distress, tackles economic wrongdoing, and delivers high-volume statutory services. Digital, data and technology are critical to this ambition.

As Chief Digital and Information Officer, you will lead a step-change in how we design, deliver and operate services—moving from legacy, fragmented systems toward resilient, user-centred, data-driven platforms that improve outcomes for citizens and enable economic growth.

You will operate as a core member of the Executive Leadership Team, shaping organisational strategy and acting as the principal advisor to the Chief Executive and Board on digital, technology, cyber and data.

Job description

What You Will Be Accountable For

    1. Leading Transformation at Scale

• Define and deliver a multi-year digital and technology strategy that modernises critical services and reduces reliance on legacy systems
• Drive adoption of product-based delivery models and modern engineering practices
• Identify and scale the use of data, automation and AI to improve efficiency, fraud detection and service quality

     2. Delivering Excellent, Reliable Services

• Ensure high availability, resilience and performance across critical national services supporting ~80,000 users annually
• Improve end-to-end service journeys using user-centred design and measurable performance outcomes
• Stabilise and progressively modernise a complex live estate

     3. Building a High-Performing DDaT Function

• Lead and develop a multidisciplinary workforce, building deep capability across architecture, engineering, cyber and data
• Strengthen internal capability while optimising the use of strategic suppliers
• Create a culture of accountability, innovation and continuous improvement

     4.  Strengthening Cyber and Risk Posture

• Lead the organisation’s cyber resilience strategy, embedding secure-by-design principles
• Ensure robust management of information risk, regulatory compliance and data governance
• Build a security-aware culture across the organisation

    5. Driving Value and Commercial Impact

• Oversee significant investment in digital and technology, ensuring clear prioritisation and measurable value
• Improve commercial outcomes across a complex supplier ecosystem, including SIAM arrangements
• Deliver efficiencies while enabling transformation

     6. Influencing at the Highest Levels

• Act as a trusted advisor to the Chief Executive, Board and Ministers
• Build strong partnerships across government, including DBT and central digital and security functions
• Communicate complex technology and risk issues clearly to drive effective decision-making

What Success Looks Like (First 18–24 Months)

• Measurable improvement in reliability and performance of critical services, more transparency in reporting and dashboarding
• Clear, funded roadmap to reduce remaining legacy systems and technical debt (in 12 months)
• Increased digital adoption and improved user satisfaction
• Stronger cyber maturity and reduced organisational risk exposure
• Improved supplier performance and demonstrable value for money
• A more engaged, capable and stable DDaT workforce

Person specification

We are looking for a senior leader who combines strategic vision with delivery credibility.

You will bring:

• Excellent leadership skills, with proven success of building high-performing, cross functional teams, where emphasis is placed on creating value
• A strong track record of leading large-scale digital and technology transformation, ideally in complex, regulated or service-intensive environments
• Experience running and modernising critical live services at scale
• Ability to balance short-term operational stability with long-term transformation
• Deep understanding of modern architectures, cloud, data platforms and emerging technologies (including AI)
• Proven ability to lead through others, influence at Board level, and operate in complex stakeholder environments
• Strong commercial and financial acumen, including managing significant budgets and supplier ecosystems

Why This Role

This is an opportunity to:

• Lead meaningful, national-impact services that directly affect people in vulnerable situations
• Shape and deliver a major transformation agenda with Board-level visibility
• Build and lead a modern, high-performing DDaT organisation
• Influence how digital government services evolve in a critical economic domain