Government Chief Technology Officer - DSIT - SCS2

Location

Bristol, London, 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

In the Technology directorate we are responsible for:

• Enterprise Architecture
• Engineering
• National Security Digital Centre
• Leading the technical Digital and Data Function across Government

Our priorities are:

• Improving the security, agility and cost of technology by eliminating legacy systems
• Establishing real time, data driven management of technology across government
• Reducing duplication and waste across government through coherent architecture and reuse
• Providing the infrastructure to connect digital services and technology communities
• Acting as the expert voice of the customer to strategic partners and commercial colleagues
• Pioneering the adoption of AI within the Digital and Data function
• Driving the adoption of hyperscale and SaaS platforms in a secure and resilient way
• Transforming and consolidating the end user experience for public servants
• Joining up and maximising the value of digital technology across the National Security community

Job description

The Chief Technology Officer (CTO) will also play a critical role in driving the join up with Government Digital and Data professionals in other departments in helping ministers achieve their ambition of making the UK the world’s leading digital government. You will be a strong and credible function leader for engineering, technology and architecture professionals across government.

Responsibilities include:

• Building and leading high performing teams of digital experts capable of leading technology thinking across government, including the National Security community.
• Leading cross-government technology decision making through formal mechanisms such as the CTO Council.
• Providing professional leadership, guidance and support to technical teams across government, identifying and developing technical leadership talent, and owning technical roles within the Digital and Data Capability Framework.
• Providing expert support, leadership and advice to technically complex and critical programmes across government.
• Delivering commitments in the Blueprint for Modern Digital Government, particularly those intended to strengthen and extend digital public infrastructure, such as the creation of a Digital Backbone to connect government services and communities.
• Developing and promoting best practice and standards, including the use of new technologies such as AI, drawing on practical experience within departments.
• Developing and agreeing cross-government technical architecture, to increase reuse and reduce waste and duplication.
• Working with colleagues across DSIT and other departments to deliver strategic outcomes:

Person specification

Person Specification/Essential Criteria:

We’re interested in:

1. Strategic Leadership & Stakeholder Influence - Proven ability to lead expert functions and influence senior leadership, including CTOs and board-level stakeholders, in complex and politically sensitive environments.
2. Programme Delivery & Agile Execution - Extensive experience delivering large-scale, high-profile programmes using agile methodologies, with strong budget management and prioritisation skills
3. Innovation & Technology Strategy - Demonstrated success in researching emerging technologies and designing innovative, forward-thinking solutions that drive organisational transformation.
4. Commercial & Supplier Management - Sophisticated approach to managing suppliers and commercial relationships within technology change programmes, ensuring innovation, value for money, and successful delivery.
5. Team Leadership & Performance Management - Strong track record in leading diverse, cross-functional, and specialist teams, applying rigorous performance management to align efforts and achieve strategic goals.
6. Communication & Sector Expertise - Excellent communication skills, with the ability to translate complex technical issues for non-technical audiences, and experience working in national security or similarly high-stakes environments.