Chief Digital Technology Officer - MoD - SCS1

Location

RAF High Wycombe

About the job

Job summary

The Chief Digital Technology Officer (CDTO) will report to the Director of Royal Air Force (RAF) Digital and will be accountable for the development and delivery of digital and data technologies, processes, and systems that underpin the RAF’s operational and business activities. The CDTO will establish and enforce overarching digital and data architecture standards for RAF-owned and delivered capabilities, aligning with and shaping broader MOD Digital Function guidance and standards. Additionally, they will oversee the delivery of in-house projects and programmes while harmonising the RAF’s digital requirements with wider Defence.

Arif Mustafa, the vacancy holder, will be offering an online Q&A session on the 4th August at 10.00-11:00 to provide an overview of the role and welcome any questions you may have. Candidates can access the meeting by clicking here. Please note this is not part of the formal assessment process. If you have any issues accessing the session, please contact: jo.wick101@mod.gov.uk.

Job description

The current responsibilities of the role include:

• Oversee the governance of Air’s Digital Portfolio, serving as the primary lead for digital input into RAF Force Development and Capability processes.
• Own, develop, and enforce digital, data, and information architectures for Air and Space Commands, directing the RAF Digital Design Authority and collaborating closely with the Defence Digital architectural community and the Integrated Design Authority.
• Lead the RAF’s in-house Digital Services delivery activities.
• Establish, enforce, and assure digital and data technology standards across the RAF, aligning with MOD Chief Information Officer Defence standards and extending them to the Air domain, while maintaining awareness of equivalent industrial and civilian sector standards.
• Shape and align the RAF’s future digital and data requirements with wider Defence, influencing Defence-level investment priorities and delivery strategies to meet the RAF’s critical digital needs.
• Coordinate digital and data innovation and experimentation across the RAF, including initiatives such as the Rapid Capability Office, while serving as a member of the Air Command Technology and Innovation Board.
• Lead RAF Digital’s Business Engagement function, encompassing Digital Relationship Management, the RAF Digital ‘Front Door,’ and the RAF Digital sub-Portfolio Office. Act as Co-Chair of the Air Digital Working Group and a member of the Digital Steering Group.
• Lead the creation and enforcement of a consistent digital architecture across all Air Command and Space Command programmes and projects—not limited to those delivered by RAF Digital. This ensures Air and Space capabilities are fully integrated into the broader Integrated Force. The CDTO will head the Digital Design Authority to deliver, enforce, and assure this architecture.
• Oversee the delivery of a diverse portfolio of RAF Digital projects, many involving innovative commercial constructs. The CDTO will have overall responsibility for this portfolio, including securing external approvals and assurance from Defence Digital and the Government Digital and Data Office, as required..
• Shape Defence-level digital standards and delivery to ensure Air and Space requirements are met, enabling Air and Space Commands to effectively exploit Joint capabilities. The CDTO will act as the principal liaison with Defence Digital and the Integration Design Authority.
• Directly oversee the output of 164 personnel.
• Manage and approve an annual budget exceeding £50M. Given the high demand for RAF Digital outputs, the CDTO, alongside the Deputy Director Digital, will chair the Air Digital Working Group, making data-driven prioritisation decisions aligned with Air’s strategic objectives. Balancing competing priorities to deliver maximum value is a critical aspect of the role.
• Direct the development of Air Command’s digital strategy and delivery plan, ensuring alignment with operational and business outcomes. The CDTO will set long-term priorities for technology exploitation and development, providing specialist advice and recommendations to the Air Executive Committee and the Air Force Main Board.

Person specification

The successful candidate must be able to demonstrate their experience and skills against the following essential criteria:

• An exceptional technical professional with digital architecture experience and a proven track record of providing strategic support for Board-Level investment decisions.
• An inspiring and inclusive leader with the ability to build and lead diverse, high-performing teams within a matrixed environment. With a proven ability to develop and communicate a compelling vision, setting a clear direction that inspires and motivates others to work towards a common goal, while effectively managing people through periods of change.
• A proven ability to communicate effectively, influence, and collaborate with a diverse range of stakeholders across organisational boundaries at senior levels. With the ability to secure the trust and confidence of both internal and external stakeholders while holding them accountable through robust performance management to achieve shared objectives.
• The ability to deliver at pace against a backdrop of uncertainty and continual change. Comfortable making decisions and setting direction without having the full picture; applying knowledge and experience to reduce ambiguity.
• Proven experience managing significant financial and budgets.
• Project and Programme Management experience.

Desirable criteria may be used in the event of a strong field of candidates when there is a need to distinguish between candidates. This will be as a second sift, after the essential criteria has been considered:

• Membership of a digital / engineering professional body (eg: British Computer Society) at Chartered level.