Director of Digital and Innovation

The Director of Digital Innovation is a strategic leadership role responsible for shaping, delivering and managing the Immigration Advice Authority’s digital, data and technology agenda.

As a member of the Senior Leadership Team, the postholder will lead the development and

implementation of innovative digital solutions that support the IAA’s regulatory and corporate objectives, whilst also ensuring the ongoing operational management, resilience, security and continuous improvement of technology services.

The role combines strategic leadership, innovation, service delivery, digital transformation,

technology operations and organisational change. The postholder will bring external insight, emerging technologies and innovative thinking to help the organisation modernise, improve efficiency and deliver better outcomes for staff, stakeholders and service users., * Identify opportunities to improve organisational performance through innovation, automation, AI and emerging

• Ensure digital investment supports organisational priorities and provides measurable benefits.
• Advise the Chief Executive and Commissioner on digital strategy, technology risks and future opportunities.
• Promote innovation and continuous improvement, * Lead major digital transformation initiatives from concept through to implementation and business-as-usual
• Evaluate emerging technologies and translate innovative ideas into practical
• Drive adoption of artificial intelligence, automation and digital tools where these can improve efficiency, insight and customer
• Ensure transformation programmes are delivered successfully and achieve intended benefits.
• Develop innovation roadmaps that support long-term organisational, * Hold overall responsibility for the operational performance of digital and technology services.
• Ensure services remain secure, resilient, reliable and fit for
• Oversee service support, maintenance, business continuity and disaster recovery
• Ensure technology investments continue to deliver value following
• Oversee cyber security, technology governance and digital resilience, * Lead the development of the organisation’s technology architecture, ensuring interoperability, security and scalability.
• Promote effective use of organisational data to support evidence-based decision
• Develop frameworks for responsible adoption of artificial intelligence and
• Ensure compliance with information governance, data protection and cyber security
• Drive improvements in data quality, reporting and analytical

1. Financial and Commercial Management

• Hold accountability for the digital and technology
• Lead financial planning, forecasting and resource allocation for technology
• Prepare investment proposals and business
• Ensure value for money is achieved across all digital
• Oversee supplier, contract and commercial management
• Manage relationships with strategic technology partners and delivery

1. Change, Adoption and Organisational Capability

• Lead organisational change associated with digital initiatives.
• Ensure effective implementation, embedding and adoption of new
• Develop training and capability programmes to support digital
• Create a culture that embraces innovation and continuous
• Build sustainable digital capability across the organisation.

1. Leadership and People Management

• Build and lead high-performing multidisciplinary
• Develop future capability through workforce planning and talent
• Lead through influence across the
• Create an inclusive, innovative and delivery-focused
• Foster collaboration between corporate services, regulatory functions and external partners.

Additional responsibilities

• As a senior leader, make a significant and visible contribution to promoting and upholding IAA values and;
• Play an active role in the senior leadership of the IAA, contributing beyond the immediate remit of the role where needed.
• Provide recommendations on digital activity to inform investment decisions, ensuring value for money and the effective use of public resources
• Undertake any other work reasonably required by the Chief Executive Officer, * UK nationals
• nationals of the Republic of Ireland
• nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
• individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
• Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service

• Significant senior leadership experience within digital, technology, transformation or innovation environments;
• A proven track record of leading organisational digital change and technology-enabled service improvement;
• Experience of developing and implementing innovative solutions to complex organisational challenges;
• Experience of leading technology operations and ongoing service delivery, not solely transformation programmes;
• Experience of managing significant budgets, suppliers and commercial arrangements;
• Experience of advising boards, executive teams and senior stakeholders;
• Experience of delivering organisational change and driving adoption of new technologies; and
• Demonstrable success in building organisational capability and leading multidisciplinary teams.

Technical and Professional Skills

The successful candidate must have:

• A strong understanding of digital strategy, innovation, technology delivery and service management;
• Knowledge of artificial intelligence, automation and emerging technologies;
• An understanding of cyber security, data governance and information management;
• Experience of developing technology roadmaps and digital architectures;
• Knowledge of product management, agile delivery and user-centred design principles; and
• The ability to combine strategic thinking with practical

Leadership Attributes

The successful candidates will demonstrate:

• Strategic thinking and innovation;
• Strong commercial and financial awareness;
• Excellent decision-making and judgement;
• The ability to inspire and lead change;
• Strong communication and influencing skills;
• Curiosity, creativity and a willingness to challenge traditional approaches; and;
• Commitment to public service values and organisational

Desirable

• Familiarity with the Government Digital and Data Profession and DDaT Capability
• Knowledge of governance, assurance and accountability frameworks within regulated
• Understanding of regulatory, enforcement or public service operating
• Experience implementing cloud-based, SaaS, AI or automation, Successful candidates must undergo a basic (or equivalent) criminal record check. Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is security check .

Alongside your salary of £74,278, Immigration Advice Authority contributes £21,518 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 average employer contribution of 28.97%