Government Chief IT Operations Officer - Department for Science, Innovation & Technology - SCS1

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.

Job description

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.

Within GDS, you will join the Office of the Chief Technology Officer (OCTO), reporting to Sonia Patel, the Government Chief Technology Officer.

The directorate has recently overseen a number of key departmental priorities, ranging from delivering the State of Digital Government Review, to the AI Playbook, to strengthening how Government does digital procurement, and protecting public sector website domains, amongst other priorities.

Please note that while this role is being recruited as part of DSIT to hit the ground running, DSIT is part of the Machinery of Government (MOG) changes. Please see the FACT SHEET HERE for further information.

The Chief IT Operations Officer will develop the core strategy for government and work with departments to align strategies across government through:

• Acting as leader for IT Operations in the public sector, defining vision, standards and expectations across government.
• Building and inspiring a diverse team of experts, mentoring and coaching aspiring individuals within the IT Operations specialism.
• Working with departments, developing and publishing practical, useful respected technical guidance for effective IT Operations within the public sector.
• Building collaborative communities and leading the thinking of IT Operations specialists across government.
• Owning central operational services for cloud following the award of the National Cloud Infrastructure Procurement (NCIP), ensuring operational leadership and delivery of efficiency, consistency, control and security, and cost benefits realisation.
• Researching new technologies, determining their potential and defining practical strategies for adoption.
• Engaging with industry to build partnerships, gaining new insights and expertise, and influencing roadmaps.
• Making the case for investment in common capabilities and transformational technologies.
• Playing a key role in delivering the commitments made in our 2025 roadmap, Transforming for a Digital Future.

Person specification

Essential Criteria

We’re interested in people who have:

• A deep and broad experience of implementing, running and maintaining critical systems including key skills in the areas of cloud and modern computing and and effective use in ITSM / IT Operations.
• A proven track record in delivering large, high-profile capital programmes and services in complex environments.
• The ability to manage large enterprise's estates, develop policy and practices for organisation technology applications and hardware to facilitate high quality service delivery.
• A full range of influencing skills including negotiation, persuasion and build strong relationships to proactively solve problems, lead and drive business outcomes. Key stakeholders to include Permanent Secretaries, Chief Operating Officers, Chief Information Officers and Chief Technology Officers.
• Experience in leading the profession community of ITOPs professionals to raise standards and support sharing of best practice and expertise.