Deputy Director of Strategy - GDS - SCS1

Location

Bristol, Manchester

About the job

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

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.

Job description

As Deputy Director of Strategy your primary responsibilities would be:

• lead and own cross government digital and data strategy, 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 these strategies through development, launch, subsequent iteration, refreshes and implementation tracking
• build trusted relationships 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. You will work regularly and closely with Ministers, articulating complex digital challenges clearly and compellingly
• lead on bolstering and transforming governance processes across GDS, following integration with DSIT as part of a Machinery of Government change. Drive the functional agenda, including management and strategic oversight of the products, processes, tools and governance fora for digital and data professionals across government
• lead on ongoing functional engagement with His Majesty's Treasury (HMT) at major critical spending events such as Spending Reviews. Collaborate closely 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. You will engage heavily with CDIOs and other digital and non-digital leaders to ensure GDS views are included in digital strategies
• manage a cross-functional team of digital and data professionals across strategy, portfolio, transformation and analysts to identify, analyse and propose initiatives that serve to make His Majesty's Government (HMG) fit for the digital age. Create a culture of flexibility, where the team will feel supported and confident in leading across evolving priorities and initiatives

Person specification

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
• a strong delivery background, with examples of successful delivery of major projects and programmes and effective leadership in digital and data team(s)
• 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 Ministers (or equivalent senior leaders) and excellent skills in managing a wide range of stakeholders, across multiple organisations with varied cultures, the ability to form and maintain strong collaborative relationships, and the ability to negotiate constructively with senior stakeholders and delivery teams