Deputy Director, Digital and Data - GLD - SCS1

Manchester Digital; Manchester, London, Croydon, Leeds, Bristol; Hybrid; GBP 60,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

A government legal department is seeking a Deputy Director for Digital and Data to lead strategic initiatives within the organization. This role involves managing a diverse team, overseeing technology risks, and ensuring the delivery of high-quality digital services that support governmental functions. The ideal candidate will demonstrate strong operational skills, an innovative approach to technology, and the ability to navigate complex stakeholder environments.

Benefits

Competitive salary

Autonomy in role

Opportunities for significant impact

Qualifications

• Proven experience in leading high-performing Digital and Data functions.
• Deep expertise across relevant technologies including AI and data integration.
• Skilled in delivering complex digital solutions rapidly.

Responsibilities

• Lead the Digital and Data function to achieve strategic objectives.
• Manage a team of digital and data professionals and oversee digital budgets.
• Develop and implement organizational digital strategies and architectural frameworks.

Skills

Leadership in Digital and Data functions

Cybersecurity expertise

Stakeholder engagement

Software engineering knowledge

Infrastructure management

Job description

Deputy Director, Digital and Data - GLD - SCS1

Bristol, Croydon, Leeds, London, Manchester

About the job

Job summary

About the Government Legal Department

From healthcare to artificial intelligence, energy to national security, we provide legal advice to government departments on nation-changing subjects.

At Government Legal Department, we have a vital, single-minded purpose: to help the Government govern well within the rule of law. This is complemented by our exciting vision to be an outstanding legal organisation, committed to the highest standards of service and professionalism, and a brilliant place to work where we can all thrive and fulfil our potential.

Our work touches almost every aspect of public life. We are the largest provider of legal services across government, working on high-profile matters.

Our respected professionals are involved in everything from regulation and litigation to advice on drafting legislation. They provide expertise to the full range of government departments. We are at the heart of delivering the government’s priorities, and our success depends on our people.

GLD is a non-ministerial government department headed by the Treasury Solicitor, our Permanent Secretary, and employs nearly 3000 people, including over 2600 legal professionals. We have offices nationwide, in Bristol, Leeds, inner and outer London, and Manchester. Our lawyers can also be located within other departments and overseas.

GLD also depends on a range of cross-government professionals to provide our corporate services. These play an essential part in helping GLD to achieve its purpose and truly deliver much more than law.

This is an exciting time to join GLD, with cutting-edge legal work on global issues and a transformation agenda that is ensuring the Department exemplifies the Modern Civil Service.

Thank you for your interest in this pivotal leadership role at the heart of government.

The Government Legal Department (GLD) operates on a scale equivalent to one of the largest law firms in the UK, providing the full range of legal services needed by government. We enable delivery of the government’s missions, including policy making, legislation, and helping the government to govern well within the rule of law.

This role sits within the Finance, Operations and Digital Directorate and the Chief Operating Officer’s Group. Our vision is a simpler, faster, and better Digital and Data function. We are committed to user-centred design, cloud-first principles, and alignment with government-wide standards such as the Digital Service Standard and the Technology Code of Practice.

I am looking for an outstanding leader with robust operational skills and a strategic approach to digital and data. You will join my Senior Leadership Team at a crucial time, as we deliver our GLD Strategy 2024-2027 and our Spending Review commitments. Your responsibilities will include improving cyber resilience, managing technology risks, and ensuring operational continuity, all while demonstrating strong financial acumen.

As a key member of my senior team, you will lead a programme of digital and technology refreshment, including developing and implementing a new legal practice and matter management system. You will also collaborate across functions to ensure GLD aligns with the Shared Services for Government strategy, by replacing and transforming back-office IT systems that are reaching the end of their lifecycle.

Why should you work with us?

• The Directorate’s culture of autonomy, mastery, and purpose ensures that individuals are empowered to grow, lead, and make a lasting impact.
• Our work is challenging, our user and stakeholder environment is complex, and the problems we solve are some of the most interesting that you will find anywhere in government.
• The role offers a unique opportunity to be at the forefront of government transformation and to deliver efficient, productive public services that make a real difference to people's lives.

I am keen to see applications from individuals representing as broad a range of views and backgrounds as we have in UK society. Diverse perspectives and experiences are critical to an effective, modern Civil Service that delivers policies and services for all of our citizens.

I hope you will be excited by the opportunity this role presents, and if you think you fit the bill, we would like to hear from you.

Carmel Thornton

Director – Finance, Operations and Digital

About the Role

This is a challenging and rewarding opportunity to play a key role in GLD, a department at the heart of government. As the most senior Digital and Data professional, you will shape GLD’s future direction and provide the department with the digital and data services needed to deliver high-quality legal services to central government. You will partner with senior stakeholders to ensure delivery of GLD’s strategic objectives.

This is an exciting moment in GLD’s evolution as it seeks to significantly enhance the capacity and capability of its non-legal professions and functions, which form the foundation of our legal services. The effectiveness and efficiency of GLD, and by extension the wider government legal function, are crucial to helping the government realize its priorities for citizens.

GLD is unique in that over two-thirds of its staff are co-located in other government departments. It is leading the government’s interoperability initiative to ensure staff, regardless of location, can access GLD systems.

As Deputy Director for Digital and Data, you will serve as a key interface between business needs, user needs, and technology use in GLD. Building strategic, collaborative, and constructive relationships is essential. You will lead the Digital and Data Function in GLD, inspiring others and leveraging engagement at all levels to drive transformation.

You will set the technical direction for GLD’s services, including the vision and strategy for technology and leading a team of professionals.

This role offers an exceptional opportunity to lead the delivery of GLD’s replacement legal case management system, currently in its Alpha stage, with the first phase to mitigate risks associated with replacing legacy systems seamlessly.

This is an exclusive opportunity to lead the Digital and Data function for a smaller department ahead of larger future opportunities. It is particularly suitable for individuals aiming for Chief Digital Information Officer roles.

Key Responsibilities

• Leading the Digital and Data function to realize GLD’s strategic objectives through effective use of digital technologies.
• Delivering digital systems, including Legal Practice Management and enterprise development systems.
• Maintaining industry ISO certifications and cyber security accreditations, reporting to Departmental Boards on security standards.
• Managing a team of 6 Digital, Data, and Technology experts directly, and approximately 70+ professionals indirectly.
• Fostering a positive digital culture within GLD and across the department.
• Overseeing the digital budget to ensure value for money.
• Leading the technical strategy, including infrastructure design, build, and management, ensuring security and resilience.
• Developing and implementing the Digital and Data architecture strategy, designing technical services, and selecting platforms and technologies.
• Managing all aspects of Digital and Data programmes and portfolios, delivering outcomes aligned with GLD’s strategy.
• Exploring emerging technologies and innovations, including artificial intelligence, to enhance organizational outcomes.
• Addressing legacy technology issues and planning for replacement of outdated services.
• Establishing standards, governance, and tooling for digital development.
• Ensuring digital decisions align with government standards.
• Building relationships with stakeholders and suppliers to maximize success.
• Enhancing core technical competencies across enterprise, solution, data, cybersecurity, and business architecture.

Person specification

It is important that your CV and Statement of Suitability provide evidence and examples of these criteria.

• Proven experience in establishing, leading, and scaling high-performing Digital and Data functions, delivering complex solutions rapidly.
• Deep expertise across technologies such as software engineering, cybersecurity, data integration, management, and AI.
• Significant experience in software development and infrastructure architecture, with a portfolio of large-scale digital service delivery.
• Experience in defining and implementing digital and data transformation strategies, including infrastructure design for long-term success.
• Experience in building enterprise architecture functions, including governance, processes, and tooling.
• Proven ability to recruit, develop, and lead diverse multidisciplinary teams.
• Skilled in stakeholder engagement across complex organizations.
• Experience managing large supplier relationships and complex budgets, ensuring value and strategic alignment.