Digital Services Manager

Dorset Council UK; Dorchester; On-site; GBP 50,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

Dorset Council UK is seeking an experienced Digital Services Manager for a 12-month maternity cover. You will lead the council’s digital services, own the main website and intranet, and oversee a major CMS migration to modernise delivery and access for residents.

You will champion collaboration, user-centred thinking, accessibility, and continuous improvement across digital platforms and services.

Qualifications

• Experience leading complex websites or digital services.
• Track record of delivering website transformation or CMS migrations.
• Experience managing teams, suppliers, and stakeholders.
• Skilled in using data and research to improve services.
• Ability to develop and manage content strategy.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage the council’s digital services and platforms.
• Act as product owner for the website and CMS.
• Deliver a migration to a new CMS.
• Use data, insight and user research to improve services.
• Set and maintain content standards across the organisation.
• Ensure accessibility standards and GDS guidance.
• Collaborate with service teams, ICT, communications and suppliers.
• Lead and develop a team of Content Designers and coordinators.

Skills

Digital Services Leadership

CMS & Website Management

User-Centred Design

Accessibility & GDS Standards

Data & Insight Analysis

Stakeholder Management

Team Management

Job description

We’re looking for an experienced Digital Services Manager to work with us for 12 months to cover a period of maternity leave.

You will lead the council’s digital services function and improve how people interact with us online. This includes ownership of our website, content and leading a major programme to modernise how we manage and deliver them.

Our website is the main way people access council services. We want our online services to be easier to use, reduce demand on other channels and help improve outcomes for Dorset residents.

The Digital Services Manager has ownership of the council’s main website, intranet and digital platforms. You will make sure they are clear, accessible and designed around user needs.

Content management system and website project

We’re looking for someone who can lead a major update to the council’s website, including the move to a new content management system.

Over the next 12 months, you’ll provide senior leadership and expert oversight for a major CMS replacement, working closely with a newly appointed supplier and colleagues across project management, communications, content design, service design and ICT.

You’ll act as a champion for collaboration and user‑centred thinking, ensuring our digital platforms are accessible, resilient, designed around the needs of Dorset residents.

You Will

What you will do

• lead and manage the council’s digital services and platforms
• act as product owner for the website and content management system
• deliver a migration to a new CMS
• use data, insight and user research to improve services
• set and maintain content standards across the organisation
• make sure content meets accessibility standards and GDS guidance
• work with service teams, ICT, communications and suppliers
• manage and support a team of Senior Content Designers, Content Designers and our Information and Advice Coordinator.

What We Are Looking For

You will need experience of:

• leading complex websites or digital services
• delivering website transformation or CMS migration projects
• managing teams, suppliers and stakeholders
• using data and research to improve services
• developing and managing content strategy

You Should Also

• understand user centred design and content design
• know how to meet accessibility standards and digital best practice
• be able to explain complex information in a simple way
• be confident making decisions and leading change
• be a people-centred line manager

While the CMS migration is a key priority for the next 12 months, this remains a broad digital leadership role with responsibility for standards, content, accessibility, user experience and continuous improvement.