Government Chief Technology Officer

Job SummaryThe 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 servicesharnessing the power of AI for the public goodstrengthening and extending our digital and data public infrastructureelevating leadership and investing in talentfunding for outcomes and procuring for growth and innovationcommitting to transparency and driving accountabilityWe 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 needIn the Technology directorate we are responsible for:Enterprise ArchitectureEngineeringNational Security Digital CentreLeading the technical Digital and Data Function across GovernmentOur priorities are:Improving the security, agility and cost of technology by eliminating legacy systemsEstablishing real time, data driven management of technology across governmentReducing duplication and waste across government through coherent architecture and reuseProviding the infrastructure to connect digital services and technology communitiesActing as the expert voice of the customer to strategic partners and commercial colleaguesPioneering the adoption of AI within the Digital and Data functionDriving the adoption of hyperscale and SaaS platforms in a secure and resilient wayTransforming and consolidating the end user experience for public servantsJoining up and maximising the value of digital technology across the National Security communityJob DescriptionThe Chief Technology Officer (CTO) will also play a critical role in driving the join up with Government Digital and Data professionals in other departments in helping ministers achieve their ambition of making the UK the world’s leading digital government. You will be a strong and credible function leader for engineering, technology and architecture professionals across government.Responsibilities include:Building and leading high performing teams of digital experts capable of leading technology thinking across government, including the National Security community.Leading cross-government technology decision making through formal mechanisms such as the CTO Council.Providing professional leadership, guidance and support to technical teams across government, identifying and developing technical leadership talent, and owning technical roles within the Digital and Data Capability Framework.Providing expert support, leadership and advice to technically complex and critical programmes across government.Delivering commitments in the Blueprint for Modern Digital Government, particularly those intended to strengthen and extend digital public infrastructure, such as the creation of a Digital Backbone to connect government services and communities.Developing and promoting best practice and standards, including the use of new technologies such as AI, drawing on practical experience within departments.Developing and agreeing cross-government technical architecture, to increase reuse and reduce waste and duplication.Working with colleagues across DSIT and other departments to deliver strategic outcomes:Person specificationPerson Specification/Essential Criteria:We’re interested in: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.Programme Delivery & Agile Execution - Extensive experience delivering large-scale, high-profile programmes using agile methodologies, with strong budget management and prioritisation skillsInnovation & Technology Strategy - Demonstrated success in researching emerging technologies and designing innovative, forward-thinking solutions that drive organisational transformation.Commercial & Supplier Management - Sophisticated approach to managing suppliers and commercial relationships within technology change programmes, ensuring innovation, value for money, and successful delivery.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.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. BenefitsAlongside your salary of £100,000, Department for Science, Innovation & Technology contributes £28,970 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.There are many benefits of working at GDS, including:flexible hybrid working with flexi-time and the option to work part-time or condensed hoursa Civil Service Pension with an average employer contribution of 28.5%25 days of annual leave, increasing by a day each year up to a maximum of 30 days an extra day off for The King’s birthdayan in-year bonus scheme to recognise high performancecareer progression and coaching, including a training budget for personal developmentpaid volunteering leave a focus on wellbeing with access to an employee assistance programmejob satisfaction from making government services easier to use and more inclusive for people across the UKadvances on pay, including for travel season ticketsdeath in service benefitscycle to work scheme and facilitiesaccess to children's holiday play schemes across different locations in central Londonaccess to an employee discounts scheme10 learning days per yearvolunteering opportunities (5 special leave days per year)access to a suite of learning activities through Civil Service learningAny move to Government Digital Service from another employer will mean you can no longer access childcare vouchers. This includes moves between government departments. You may however be eligible for other government schemes, including Tax Free Childcare. Determine your eligibility at https://www.childcarechoices.gov.ukOffice attendanceThe Department operates a discretionary hybrid working policy, which provides for a combination of working hours from your place of work and from your home in the UK. The current expectation for staff is to attend the office or non-home based location for 40-60% of the time over the accounting period.DSIT does not normally offer full home working (i.e. working at home); but we do offer a variety of flexible working options (including occasionally working from home).Things you need to knowSelection process detailsThe standard selection process for roles at GDS consists of:a simple application screening process - We only ask for a CV and cover letter of up to 750 words. Important tip - please ensure that your cover letter includes how you meet the skills and experience listed in the “person specification” section above. The panel will be conducting a name blind sift, so please ensure to redact your name and any other details which could be used to identify you. a 60 minute in person interview, in London, including a presentation (details to be shared if successful at sift).Depending on how many applications we get, there might also be an extra stage before the interview, for example a call to meet with the stakeholder or a technical exercise.Shortlisted Candidates will be invited to an in-person panel interview, chaired by Atul Devani from the Civil Service Commission. Other panel members at the interview will include but may not be limited to David Knott, Government Chief Technology Officer and Emily Middleton, Director General, Digital Centre Design.Please note that references and open-source due diligence checks (including into social media accounts) may be undertaken for all short-listed candidates. Full references will obtained for the successful candidate following the interview process.Artificial Intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. Please see our candidate guidance for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.We’ll be assessing your technical abilities, skills, experience and behaviours that are relevant to this role.Recruitment TimelineSift completion: w/c 10th NovemberPanel interviews: w/c 17th NovemberCandidates that do not pass the interview but have demonstrated an acceptable standard may be considered for similar roles at a lower grade.A reserve list will be held for a period of 12 months, from which further appointments can be made.The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see the Civil Service People Plan and the Civil Service D&I Strategy.SponsorshipDSIT cannot offer Visa sponsorship to candidates through this campaign. DSIT holds a Visa sponsorship licence but this can only be used for certain roles and this campaign does not qualify.Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.SecuritySuccessful candidates must pass a disclosure and barring security check.Please note that this role requires SC clearance, which would normally need 5 years’ UK residency in the past 5 years. This is not an absolute requirement, but supplementary checks may be needed where individuals have not lived in the UK for that period. This may mean your security clearance (and therefore your appointment) will take longer or, in some cases, not be possible.For meaningful checks to be carried out, you will need to have lived in the UK for a sufficient period of time, to enable appropriate checks to be carried out and produce a result which provides the required level of assurance. Whilst a lack of UK residency in itself is not necessarily a bar to a security clearance, and expectation of UK residency may range from 3 to 5 years. Failure to meet the residency requirements needed for the role may result in the withdrawal of provisional jobs offers.People working with government assets must complete basic personnel security standard checks.Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.SecuritySuccessful candidates must undergo a criminal record check.Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is security check (opens in a new window).See our vetting charter (opens in a new window).People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.Nationality requirementsThis job is broadly open to the following groups:UK nationalsnationals of the Republic of Irelandnationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UKnationals 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) (opens in a new window)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 2020Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil ServiceFurther information on nationality requirements (opens in a new window)Working for the Civil ServiceThe Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles (opens in a new window).The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.The Civil Service also offers a Redeployment Interview Scheme to civil servants who are at risk of redundancy, and who meet the minimum requirements for the advertised vacancy.Diversity and InclusionThe Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see the Civil Service People Plan (opens in a new window) and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy (opens in a new window).Apply and further informationThis vacancy is part of the Great Place to Work for Veterans (opens in a new window) initiative.Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.Contact point for applicantsJob contact :Name : GDS Recruitment TeamEmail : gdsrecruitment@dsit.gov.ukRecruitment teamEmail : gdsrecruitment@dsit.gov.ukFurther informationIf you feel your application has not been treated in accordance with the Recruitment Principles and you wish to make a complaint, you should contact gds-recruitment-complaints@digital.cabinet-office.gov.uk in the first instance.If you are not satisfied with the response you receive you can contact the Civil Service Commission by email: info@csc.gov.uk Or in writing: Civil Service Commission, Room G/8 1 Horse Guards Road, London, SW1A 2HQ.Please email your CV and supporting covering letter (up to 750 words) to: matthew.smith4@dsit.gov.uk by 23:55, Sunday 9th November 2025. Please ensure to align your cover letter to the person specification and remove your name from both documents.Follow link to applymatthew.smith4@dsit.gov.uk