Director Service Transformation - DSIT - SCS2

Location

This role can be based in London, Manchester or Bristol. With the potential for travel to London and other DSIT locations.

About the job

Job summary

The new Government Digital Service (GDS) was announced by the DSIT Secretary of State earlier this year, as a catalyst for the digital transformation of public services. GDS is responsible for setting, leading and delivering the vision for a modern digital government. It serves departments and the wider public sector and is the home of specialist expertise in digital technology, service design, AI and other areas.

The Director for Service Transformation plays an essential, cross-cutting role in GDS. You will spearhead the delivery of essential reforms within the Blueprint for Modern Digital Government to support more joined-up services. You will lead teams that run digital talent programmes and lead work on reforms to how central government recruits, retains and develops digital civil servants. The scope of this role also includes support to service teams through the Service Standard, the Service Manual, and communities of practice.

This role is pivotal in shaping the future of how GDS supports service transformation right across the public sector. You will work across GDS to ensure we’re making the most of our collective capabilities to support deep service transformation across and beyond central government. You will also be expected to develop relationships with local government, following the recent Local Government Collaboration Sprint.

The Director for Service Transformation will also oversee the delivery of a high profile new digital transformation initiative, working closely with No 10, and across and beyond departmental boundaries.

Job description

The Director, Service Transformation is a high-profile role, reporting to the Director General, Digital Centre Design and sitting as part of their senior leadership team.

As Director, Service Transformation you will:

• oversee the delivery of essential components of the Blueprint for Modern Digital Government, exemplifying a fast-paced, ‘test and learn’ approach to delivery;
• have the unique opportunity to work closely with committed and purpose-driven civil service leaders from across the 27,000 strong digital, data and technology function to lead an ambitious service transformation programme;
• work closely with digital, data and technology leaders, and expand the Government Digital Service’ impact within the broader senior digital leadership community. This will involve extensive engagement with a range of stakeholders from other government departments, the wider public sector, service providers, and external thought leaders (e.g. think tanks, civil society groups);
• be enabling best-practice to be shared between departments; identify and capture opportunities to drive collective efficiencies wherever possible; support and guide our cross-government programmes to build digital, data and capability and make government a destination of choice for digital, data and technology professionals. 

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

As Director, Service Transformation, your main responsibilities will include, but are not limited to:

• leading cross-departmental commitments and collaborations as part of the Blueprint for Modern Digital Government;
• scaling and leading the role of GDS in relation to local government, working closely with Cabinet Office Public Service Reform team, MHCLG and local authorities to establish GDS’ local government offering over the next SR period;
• leading and scaling a new high-profile digital transformation initiative, which will involve close working with No 10, the Cabinet Office, HM Treasury, the DSIT Secretary of State and other ministers;
• leading on cross-government and cross-functional engagement to build and retain business sponsorship of the Service Transformation agenda;
• delivering a programme of work to fulfil the Prime Minister’s commitment to 1 in 10 civil servants being digital, data, technology or cyber specialists by 2030; including the recruitment of 2000 new tech apprentices; collaborating with the Cabinet Office on ensuring the remaining 9 in 10 civil servants have the skills and working environment they need to thrive in the digital era.
• working closely with the policy profession to embed digital approaches and cross functional teams into policy design and delivery; designing government’s policy and interventions required to modernise legislative barriers to efficient digital service design and delivery - taking a ‘digital first’ approach to policy making as outlined in the Blueprint.

Person specification

Within your CV and Statement of Suitability, it is important that you give evidence and examples of proven experience of each of the following essential criteria:

• proven success in leading and executing large-scale digital transformation initiatives showcasing the ability to modernise systems and services effectively; 
• extensive experience in senior digital technology or transformation leadership roles, demonstrating a strong track record of delivery at pace, and of managing and optimising complex functions or organisations; 
• a demonstrated ability to adopt and champion agile working practices while navigating regulatory environments, managing complex projects, and collaborating effectively with diverse stakeholders;
• inspiring and coherent leadership style: ability to engage and win the cooperation and support of multiple internal and external parties, holding them to account through rigorous performance management to achieve common goals;
• proven experience of senior stakeholder management in a political, pressured environment and evidence of building credible and respected relationships at board level.

Behaviours

We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:

• Leadership
• Communicating and Influencing
• Seeing the Big Picture
• Delivering at Pace