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Senior Cyber Talent Capability Manager - Department for Science, Innovation & Technology - SEO

Government Digital & Data -

Full-time (Permanent)
National: £44,620 - £49,065; London: £47,355 - £52,090
Published on
3 July 2026
Deadline
30 July 2026

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: 

  1.  joining up public sector services 
  2.  harnessing the power of AI for the public good 
  3.  strengthening and extending our digital and data public infrastructure 
  4.  elevating leadership and investing in talent 
  5.  funding for outcomes and procuring for growth and innovation 
  6.  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. 

Job description

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:

  1. joining up public sector services
  2. harnessing the power of AI for the public good
  3. strengthening and extending our digital and data public infrastructure
  4. elevating leadership and investing in talent
  5. funding for outcomes and procuring for growth and innovation
  6. 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

Government Digital, Data and Cyber Workforce and Capability:

Join Government Digital and Data and Cyber Workforce and Capability, where our mission is to ensure the government possesses the necessary talent to drive digital and cyber transformation and overcome the challenges ahead. We're dedicated to enhancing the government's capacity to attract, recruit, nurture, and retain top tier digital and data professionals. 

As part of the team, you will help shape the future of cyber talent strategy and capabilities, providing vital insights that support cross departmental policies, standards, and strategies. 

We're entrusted with devising strategies and delivering results for a community of 30,000+ digital and cyber innovators, aspiring talent, and the broader civil service. Our commitment extends to fostering an inclusive, supportive, and dynamic culture where individuals thrive and excel. 

We are responsible for: 

  • Delivering the cross-government Blueprint for modern digital government and Cyber Action Plan
  • Digital, Data and Technology Strategy and Standards, like the Technology Code of Practice, the Service Standard and Open Standards 
  • Cross-government performance and assurance, including Spend Controls 
  • Government Digital and Data Capability Framework and the Cyber Capability Framework 

This role sits within the Development and Partnering team in the Government Digital, Data and Cyber Workforce and Capability directorate within GDS.

We work with departments across government and other functions, including commercial and project delivery, to put the conditions in place for digital and data transformation at scale. The Capability and Partnering team leads cross-government talent and capability development for the Digital and Data Function and the Cyber Profession.

We are looking for a Senior Cyber Talent Capability Manager to join our high-impact team. In this role, you will play a leading role in shaping and delivering cyber talent and capability priorities across government, supporting the continued development of the Cyber Profession.

You will lead the delivery of complex, cross-government talent initiatives, working closely with senior stakeholders across departments to ensure programmes align with strategic priorities, including the Cyber Action Plan and wider workforce strategies.

Person specification

As our Senior Cyber Talent Capability Manager you will:

  • Manage multiple cross-government Cyber talent and capability development projects, including procurement processes and development of new interventions, ensuring they are delivered on time, within scope, and to quality standard
  • Lead the strategy and execution, overseeing contract management, and supplier performance for our Cyber apprenticeship and learning providers.
  • Build and maintain delivery plans, ensuring alignment with DSIT priorities, the Cyber Action Plan and the Cyber Talent Strategy.
  • Manage relationships with delivery partners and internal stakeholders, ensuring effective collaboration and compliance.
  • Facilitate agile delivery practices, enabling teams to iterate and improve, while maintaining focus on outcomes and user needs.
  • Ensure governance and reporting, providing clear updates to senior stakeholders and escalating risks and issues appropriately.
  • Champion continuous improvement, embedding feedback loops and lessons learned into delivery processes.
  • Design, deliver, and facilitate events and workshops to support Cyber capability goals and priorities, ensuring engagement and impact
  • Manage talent data and collaborate with colleagues to interpret data, identify risks, and develop insights that add value and mitigate challenges 

You will be responsible for the line management and development of two Higher Executive Officer (HEO), supporting their performance, wellbeing, and career progression.

This is an exciting opportunity to influence and shape Cyber capability and talent across government following the establishment of the Cyber profession in government and during a period of transformation and opportunity. Come and join us and make a real difference!

As a line manager, you will be responsible for working with your members of staff to define their objectives, as well as managing their development and performance. 

Essential Criteria

We are interested in people who have:

  • Experience of leading capability, apprenticeship and talent programmes across government, helping to prioritise and manage lifecycles and dependencies. Maintaining attention to detail and delivering to a high standard. (Lead)
  • Excellent communication skills, confidently working with colleagues and stakeholders at all grades building and maintaining positive relationships, with the ability to interpret the needs of technical and non-technical stakeholders, and manage their expectations.
  • Able to work with and in diverse teams, showing initiative and a proactive approach to resolving issues. Contributing to a positive, inclusive team culture and championing diversity, equity, and inclusion, supporting efforts to improve representation across the Cyber profession.
  • Experience within HR, ideally delivering early talent or cross-government programmes
  • Confident using data to evaluate impact and inform decision making.
  • Demonstrable experience of creativity and strategic thinking in developing and implementing talent development products and solutions to meet wide ranging user and stakeholder needs, aligned to strategic objectives.

Desirable Criteria

  • CIPD Level 5 (or willing to obtain)


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