Director General for Digital Transformation

Department for Science, Innovation and Technology
Charing Cross, United Kingdom
3 days ago

Role details

Contract type
Permanent contract
Employment type
Full-time (> 32 hours)
Working hours
Shift work
Languages
English
Experience level
Senior
Compensation
£ 260K

Job location

Charing Cross, United Kingdom

Tech stack

Artificial Intelligence
Application Integration Architecture
Data Security
Service Design
Web Performance Optimization
Digital Government

Job description

  • The Blueprint for a Modern Digital Government: Lead the development and delivery of the national vision. You will set the standards for coherent, user-centered service design, embedding interoperability and security principles to provide a clear roadmap for departments to modernize at scale.
  • Strategic Ministerial Influence: Represent DSIT at the heart of government. You will advise Ministers and central departments on transformation priorities, lead cross-government boards, and influence policy and investment decisions at the highest level.
  • Frontier AI Adoption: Launch AI programs targeting £100m+ in productivity gains. You will sponsor exemplar pilots in casework automation and predictive analytics, ensuring successful prototypes are scaled across the public sector.
  • The National Data Library: Launch and scale this flagship commitment, unlocking economic value and supporting better public services through secure and ethical data access.
  • Funding & Performance Reform: Implement the Digital Performance Framework to track service quality and cost. You will work with HM Treasury to pilot agile investment models, ensuring digital teams can deliver iteratively while maintaining value for money.
  • Commercial & Capability Excellence: Oversee the Digital Commercial Centre of Excellence to reset supplier contracts and expand regional digital hubs to build AI confidence across all levels of government leadership.

Requirements

  • Proven track record of large-scale digital transformation in complex organisations, with a track record of delivering measurable improvements in service outcomes.
  • Deep understanding of agile delivery, service design, AI integration and digital performance management.
  • Exceptional judgement and decision-making under uncertainty, with the ability to balance innovation, risk and public value.
  • Strong stakeholder management and influencing skills, with experience aligning priorities across departments, regulators and delivery bodies.
  • Experience leading multidisciplinary teams and building inclusive, high-performing cultures.
  • Financial and commercial fluency, with confidence in shaping investment strategies and assurance frameworks.

Benefits & conditions

£200,000 - £260,000 Successful candidates joining from outside the Civil Service could expect an appointment salary between £200,000 and £260,000 per annum. The final offer will be determined based on the candidate's skills, experience, and proven industry track record. If you are an existing Civil Servant, your salary will be agreed in line with the Civil Service pay rules in place on the date of your appointment. A Civil Service Pension with an employer contribution of 28.97% GBP, Alongside your salary of £200,000, Department for Science, Innovation & Technology contributes £57,940 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.

  • Learning and development tailored to your role
  • An environment with flexible working options
  • A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity
  • A Civil Service pension with an employer contribution of 28.97%

About the company

The Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) is looking for a Director General for Digital Transformation. This isn't just a leadership role; it's a platform to fundamentally rewire how the UK government serves millions of citizens. We have a clear mandate: public services must be quick, accessible, and simple. This is for a leader who wants to forge new ways to do things in Government, work with agility, and build coalitions that deliver real change.

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