Assistant Director Digital Transformation and Innovation

inploi; Oldham; Hybrid; GBP 96,000 - 108,000; Full time

Job summary

A local government council in England seeks an Assistant Director of Digital Transformation and Innovation to lead digital transformation initiatives. This role involves strategic leadership in AI and automation, managing budgets, and ensuring compliance with governance standards. The ideal candidate will have strong project management skills and experience in driving innovation to enhance service delivery. Embrace this opportunity to contribute to significant community enhancement in a hybrid working environment.

Benefits

25 days annual leave

Pension scheme

Discounted gym membership

Wellbeing support

Qualifications

• Proven experience in leading digital transformation including AI and automation.
• Strong ability to manage budgets and projects for efficiency.
• Expertise in compliance with standards such as WCAG and UK GDPR.

Responsibilities

• Lead the development of the Digital Transformation Strategy.
• Provide oversight of applications and project delivery.
• Manage transformation budgets and promote equality and diversity.
• Build relationships with partners for public service reform.
• Lead a multi-disciplinary team to foster high performance.

Skills

Strategic leadership of digital transformation

Project management

Budget management

Expertise in governance and compliance

Job description

Technology & Digital, and Governance

Technology and Digital Services

Assistant Director of Digital Transformation and Innovation

Ref: 001251
Contract: Permanent
Salary: £96,184 - £107,676 per annum (AD1)
Hours per week: 36.66
Location: Spindles, George St, Oldham OL1 1HD, Hybrid Working
Closing Date: Sunday 1st February 2026
Interview Date: TBC.

Role Overview:

To provide strategic leadership for the council’s digital transformation and innovation agenda, reporting directly to the Director of Digital. This role will have overall responsibility for leading the adoption of artificial intelligence (AI), automation (RPA, low‑code/no‑code platforms), process digitisation, user‑centred design and emerging technologies to improve service efficiency, deliver significant and sustainable financial savings and enhance outcomes for residents.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead the development and delivery of the council’s Digital Transformation Strategy and associated roadmaps, setting the agenda through strong leadership and resource management.
• Provide strategic oversight of applications, project delivery, and the innovation pipeline, ensuring user‑centric digital solutions aligned with council priorities.
• Manage transformation budgets effectively, ensure compliance with governance and risk frameworks, and promote equality, diversity, and inclusion.
• Build relationships with partners to drive public service reform and deliver efficiencies through innovative digital services.
• Lead a multi‑disciplinary team, fostering high performance, innovation, and continuous professional development.

Key Requirements:

• Proven experience in strategic leadership of digital transformation, including AI, automation, and emerging technologies.
• Strong ability to manage budgets, projects, and teams to deliver efficiency and financial savings.
• Expertise in governance, risk management, and compliance with standards such as WCAG, UK GDPR, and cyber‑security.

If you have completed the GM Elevate (Leadership Development) Programme please indicate this within the ‘About You’ or ‘Supporting Statement’ section of your application.

Unfortunately, at this time we are not able to offer sponsorship.

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and therefore expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

About Us:

We want Oldham to have vibrant, safe neighbourhoods where people are proud to live with opportunities for healthier, more fulfilled lives; and a sustainable, thriving economy. As we look to the future, the challenges may be significant, but so are the opportunities. We’ve identified three missions with our residents and partners, focusing on what will deliver the biggest impact:

A Great Place to Live, Healthier, Happier Lives, and Green and Growing.

We’re looking for candidates who will support us to achieve our ambitions and we encourage you to download our Corporate Plan: Ready for the Future and our Oldham Plan for further information.

Our Values and Behaviours:

By driving innovation, investing in our people, and championing our communities, we will ensure that Oldham continues to be a place where everyone can live their best life. To support this, we have three core values which define who we are and how we operate. These are ‘Proud, Ambitious, and Together’, and they shape our culture, inform our decisions, and inspire us to deliver on our commitments to the people of Oldham.

We have translated these values into five behaviours which guide our actions and are the standards we hold ourselves to, day in and day out:

• Work with a resident focus
• Support local leaders
• Committed to the borough
• Delivery high performance
• Take ownership and drive change

You can find out more about our values and behaviours on our greater.jobs Oldham page

Our Benefits Package

At Oldham Council we offer a great benefits package for our employees, which includes the following:

• 25 days annual leave which increases after 5 and 10‑years’ service
• The option to purchase additional annual leave.
• An attractive LGPS benefit pension scheme with the option to make shared cost additional voluntary contributions.
• Discounted gym membership with Oldham Active.
• Staff discount scheme for shopping, entertainment, eating‑out, eating‑in, travel, motoring and more.
• Salary sacrifice scheme for home and electronics and Cycle to Work.
• Wellbeing support, including a Mental Health First Aider network and an Employment Assistance Programme that provides 24 hours access to advice and support.
• Staff recognition and celebration events.
• Peer support groups

Inclusive Recruitment:

We work closely with employees to help them work at their best, including making adjustments such as flexible working, describing available working patterns, providing equipment or making changes to the workplace.

If you’re an applicant with disabilities, aged 24 or under and have previously been in or currently in care, a carer, someone who has served in the Armed Forces, or you’ve participated in the GM Elevate Programme, and you meet the essential criteria of the role, you are guaranteed to reach the first stage of assessment under our Guaranteed Assessment Scheme.

Data and Privacy:

For details of how we use your data please see our privacy notice.

Important Information:

Please note that should a vacancy that has been released for internal or external recruitment be deemed suitable for a current employee at risk of redundancy, it can be pulled back at any point, up to the post being formally offered to a candidate who is not at risk of redundancy.

Supporting Documents

↗ Job Description & Person Specification

↗ Right To Work

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