Deputy Director - Data Maturity & Transformation

Department for Science, Innovation and Technology; Greater London, West of England, Manchester; On-site; GBP 86,000 - 118,000; Full time

Job summary

Department for Science, Innovation and Technology is seeking a Deputy Director for Data Maturity & Transformation in London, with salary £86,000–£117,800. The role leads a government-wide approach to data maturity, building capability across departments and enabling AI adoption.

You will drive standards, governance and measurable improvements while managing a multidisciplinary team. Location options include London, Bristol or Manchester.

Qualifications

• Proven track record of leading organisational change and building capability at scale.
• Experience working with data, digital or technology teams in complex organisations.
• Ability to influence without formal authority and build trusted relationships with senior stakeholders.
• Experience translating strategy and standards into practical ways of working that people adopt.
• Confident explaining complex ideas to non-technical audiences.
• Strong delivery focus in uncertain, complex environments.
• Experience using data maturity models, readiness assessments or capability evaluations.

Responsibilities

• Lead a government-wide approach to data maturity and transformation, driving adoption and lasting improvement.
• Prioritise support where risks and dependencies are greatest to mature the public sector with data.
• Strengthen capability for AI adoption and scale across departments.
• Measure maturity, translate evidence into practical actions and improvements.
• Shape the Strategic Data Roadmap, informing priorities and investment.
• Develop data literacy and communities of practice with clear role expectations.
• Promote consistency and reuse of data patterns across the data lifecycle.
• Support sensitive environments with agreed standards and confidence.
• Build and lead multidisciplinary enablement teams that collaborate effectively.

Skills

Leadership

Data strategy

Stakeholder management

AI readiness

Change management

Data governance

Communication

Job description

Deputy Director, Data Maturity & Transformation

SCS Pay Band 1 Salary: £86,000 – £117,800, based on capability

Location: London, Bristol or Manchester

Security clearance: SC

Help government make data part of everyday work.

Government has a data strategy, agreed standards and a growing set of shared platforms. But the real challenge is making sure these are used in live services and everyday decisions - not simply left on the shelf.

As Deputy Director, Data Maturity & Transformation, you'll help turn government’s data ambitions into lasting change. Working across departments, arm's-length bodies and the wider public sector, you'll build the capability, confidence and skills needed to make data an integral part of how government works.

This is an opportunity to shape how government uses data and prepares for AI, helping organisations become more mature, capable and self-sufficient.

Why this role matters

Almost every department wants to use AI, but AI is only as good as the data behind it and the people using it. Data quality can be patchy; ownership unclear and confidence inconsistent.

We already have a way to measure where we stand through the Data Maturity Assessment for Government. The challenge now is turning what it tells us into practical, meaningful change.

You'll help departments build the foundations they need to use data effectively, adopt shared standards and develop the skills to continue improving without relying on central support.

What you'll do

You'll lead a government-wide approach to data maturity and transformation, working collaboratively to drive adoption, build capability and deliver lasting improvement.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Turning strategy into action. Help departments adopt data standards, architectures and governance, providing practical support that enables them to take ownership and sustain progress.
• Focusing on what matters most. Prioritise support where the risks, impact or dependencies are greatest, helping the wider public sector mature and transform with data.
• Getting government ready for AI. Strengthen data capability, organisational readiness and capacity for change, enabling departments to adopt and scale AI effectively.
• Measuring and improving data maturity. Lead a government-wide approach to assessing maturity and readiness, translating evidence into practical actions and measurable improvements.
• Shaping the Strategic Data Roadmap. Use insight from across government to inform priorities, investment and sequencing, helping determine where central support is needed and where departments should lead.
• Building skills and confidence. Lead the development of data literacy, professional skills and communities of practice, creating clear role expectations and skills pathways.
• Promoting consistency and reuse. Develop reusable approaches, patterns and playbooks across the data lifecycle, reducing fragmentation and supporting better data quality, metadata, interoperability and information management.
• Supporting sensitive environments. Help organisations working in national security and other sensitive areas apply agreed standards with confidence.
• Leading a great team. Build and lead multidisciplinary enablement teams that deliver effectively, collaborate well and enjoy working together.

What success looks like

You’ll help create a more joined-up approach to data transformation across government, with faster adoption of agreed standards and services.

Success will mean:

• Improved data maturity, literacy and confidence across departments, arm's-length bodies and local government.
• Better data quality, management and interoperability at source.
• Organisations that are ready to use data and AI in their operations, analysis and decision-making.
• Stronger communities of practice and learning pathways that sustain improvement.
• Less reliance on central support as departments become more capable and self-sufficient.
• Clear evidence that data is being used more effectively in live services and everyday decisions.

About you

You’ve changed how a large, complex organisation works with data, technology or skills - bringing people with you rather than relying on formal authority. You can demonstrate what changed as a result.

You’ll bring:

• A proven track record of leading organisational change and building capability at scale, with evidence of meaningful behavioural change.
• Experience working with data, digital or technology teams in complex organisations.
• The ability to influence without formal authority and build trusted relationships with senior stakeholders.
• Experience translating strategy and standards into practical ways of working that people adopt.
• The confidence to explain complex ideas to non-technical audiences.
• A strong delivery focus, with the ability to maintain momentum in uncertain and complex environments.
• Experience using data maturity models, readiness assessments or capability evaluations to inform transformation and prioritisation.

You’ll be comfortable listening, persuading, identifying opportunities and removing blockers. Departments start from different places, and lasting progress comes from being useful, building trust and enabling others to succeed.

For further information or to discuss the opportunity, please contact Tom King at [e-mail] or on 0208 253 1806.