Job Vacancy Government Chief Technology Officer - DSIT - SCS2

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. 

Bristol, London, Manchester

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 (), the world-leading 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