Deputy Director Strategy and Transformation - Department for Education - SCS1

Location

Coventry, Darlington, Manchester, Sheffield, Yorkshire and the Humber.

Job summary

The Strategy and Transformation function leads the strategic direction, long‑term planning and systems‑level change that enables the department to deliver on its digital, data and technology ambitions. The team defines the overarching vision for Digital, Data and Technology (DDaT) across the Department for Education, ensuring it aligns with departmental strategy, the DSIT Blueprint for Digital Government and wider government priorities. This includes shaping enterprise‑wide strategy, identifying future capability needs, setting priority outcomes, and ensuring that major digital and data initiatives are coherently planned, governed and sequenced for maximum impact.

Working across the full DDaT system, the function provides strategic insight, policy alignment and robust challenge to ensure the department invests in the right things, at the right time, in the right way. It supports cross‑government engagement, informs Spending Review and business planning processes, and leads on the frameworks, operating models and governance structures that underpin delivery—helping the organisation make evidence‑based decisions, manage risk and track progress against transformation goals.

The team also plays a critical role in enabling cultural and organisational change. It brings together multidisciplinary expertise to shape strategic priorities, drive accountability, and champion modern ways of working across digital, data, technology, policy and operations. Through its transformation programmes, it ensures DfE is equipped with the structures, capabilities and mindset needed to deliver high‑quality digital services, strong data foundations and innovative technology solutions that support children, families, schools and wider sectors.

Job description

As Deputy Director, you will lead the development and delivery of key cross government digital strategy work, including the Digital and AI Roadmap, ensuring it aligns with the Blueprint for Modern Digital Government and wider GDS priorities.

You will oversee the full lifecycle of strategic programmes, from early design through launch, iteration, refresh, and the tracking of implementation, while building and maintaining strong relationships with senior leaders across departments, GDS, DSIT and other central government bodies to drive collective progress. Acting as a senior champion for the digital profession, you will provide strategic advice and agile support to senior stakeholders, offering expert guidance to help departments align with the Blueprint and deliver whole of government outcomes.

You will shape and support GDS delivery plans by offering strategic challenge and insight to ensure effective implementation. A key part of the role will involve engaging with HM Treasury during major fiscal events, such as Spending Reviews, to ensure digital and data priorities are embedded in departmental spending plans and to influence the evolution of modern funding and business processes.

Finally, you will lead a high performing multidisciplinary team, fostering a culture of flexibility, inclusion and excellence, ensuring they are equipped to respond to shifting priorities and supported in their professional development.

Person specification

Essential Criteria:

The following criteria are essential for the role:

• An ability to translate complex and broad material - both qualitative and quantitative - into clear written or oral analysis and communications, including briefings and presentations.
• Experience and knowledge of bringing strategic thinking, clarity and structure to broad and complex work across systems.
• Demonstrated ability to think strategically and bring clarity to complex, fast-paced, and politically sensitive environments.
• Strong analytical and communication skills, with the ability to distil complex information into clear, compelling advice and briefings.
• Proven track record of delivering high-quality outcomes in dynamic and ambiguous settings.
• Experience leading high-performing, cross-functional teams, with a strong focus on coaching, development, and inclusive leadership.
• Excellent stakeholder management skills, with the ability to build trusted relationships and influence senior leaders across government.
• Service transformation experience.
• Experience of managing teams through significant change, and of demonstrating forward-thinking and innovative delivery.

Desirable Criteria:

The following criteria are desirable and will only be assessed at interview in the event of a tie-break situation, to make an informed decision:

• Experience shaping or leading cross‑government strategy, particularly in digital, data, technology, transformation or major change programmes.
• A strong understanding of public sector funding, governance and business planning processes, including the ability to contribute to Spending Reviews, fiscal events or strategic investment cases.
• Expertise in emerging technologies (e.g., AI, automation, data platforms, digital service design) and their application to large, complex organisations.
• A proven ability to lead through cultural and organisational change, fostering inclusive, high‑trust environments.