Independent Expert in Digital and Technology Transformation

Homes England; London; On-site; GBP 50,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job description

Birmingham, West Midlands (England), B1 2AX : Bristol, South West England, BS1 6EH : Longstanton, East of England, CB24 3EN : London, London (region), E14 4PU : Liverpool, North West England, L3 1BP : Leeds, Yorkshire and the Humber, LS11 9AT : Manchester, North West England, M1 6EU : Newcastle upon Tyne, North East England, NE4 5BZ

Job Summary

Homes England was established by Government to increase the supply of quality homes, improve affordability and help create stronger, more liveable places. More than that, it was created to change people’s lives.

In the current challenging market, Homes England’s role has, perhaps, never been so important. We are working to galvanise a housing-led recovery and help fulfil the Government’s housing and regeneration aspirations, connecting with other ambitious organisations and using our resources to work strategically across the country to create jobs, homes, and long-term partnerships in places.

To add resilience to our governance during a period of change we wish to appoint a Digital/Technology Expert for our Change Committee for a 2 to 3 year Term.

If you believe you have the experience and qualities we are seeking, we look forward to receiving your application.

Thank you for considering supporting our Change Committee. Good governance is central to ensuring Homes England makes the best decisions to deliver the Governments priorities. We have excellent Board and Committee Structures. Thank you for your interest in making us even stronger.

Homes England is a ‘non-departmental public body’ sponsored by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG).

Homes England plays a key role in delivering the government’s housing and regeneration agenda.

Our ambition is to work in collaboration with equally ambitious partners to deliver the homes and places that our communities need, and to support the regeneration of our towns, cities and rural communities.

We have significant tools at our disposal. We own over 9,000 hectares of land and have billions of combined capital spend (loan, grant, equity and guarantees) to deploy by March 2027, the quantum to be updated in June 2025 at the Spending Review. We also have a range of statutory powers that we can use to deliver our objectives. In addition, we have the expertise to broker private sector investment, convene stakeholders, facilitate collaboration, improve quality across the industry and champion good practice.

We can collaborate in a unique way between Government and the public and private sectors. We’re unified by our determination to embrace this crucial opportunity to help solve one of the country’s most intractable domestic policy issues.

Job Description

The Board is composed of Non-Executive Directors and the Chief Executive (who also serves as the Accounting Officer). The Board is currently led by Peter Freeman CBE, who was appointed to this role by the Secretary of State in December 2020. He is retiring soon. The Secretary of State has appointed Pat Ritchie CBE as Chair from April 2025. A full list of current Non-Executive Directors, and those who served throughout the last year, is on our Governance page.

The role of our Board is to provide strategic leadership and to promote our long term, sustainable success. Our Board has statutory responsibility for exercising our functions while working closely with the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government to ensure the delivery of our strategic objectives. In accordance with good practice, the Board has established a number of committees, including the Change Committee. The Committee supports the Board in fulfilling its responsibility for reviewing the assurance from the Executive and making relevant decisions in respect of change programmes and projects.

As an Independent Expert you will provide independent advice, expertise and guidance to the Committee as it carries out this important role.

Person specification

1. To review and comment on management assurances that all business change projects or programmes of projects align to the Strategic Plan and Organisational Blueprint and that the overall plan for change is deliverable and refer matters back to the Executive where necessary for further clarity where there is no alignment;
2. To oversee all projects/programmes submitted to it by the Executive with a view to ensuring that they have measurable benefits and achieve the overall budgets and that the investment delivers value for money;
3. To review business cases for new projects/programmes including their cost benefit analysis and to approve such projects where the budgeted cost is in excess of the delegation to the Change Portfolio Executive of £5million total project value or for projects of high complexity and impact;
4. To receive highlight reports from the Executive on the status of all projects/programmes confirming whether they are on track and detailed reports on those that are not on track;
5. To endorse decisions to stop or amend a project or programmes including prioritisation, on executive recommendation and impact assessment;
6. To receive reports from the Executive on lessons learned from project or programme closures;
7. Without limitation to the above responsibilities, the Committee shall receive reports from the Executive and oversee all projects/relating to organisational culture change.

Change Committee – Expert in Digital and Technology transformation

We are looking for a candidate who has credibility and stature as a qualified expert in Digital and Technology transformation in organisations of scale and complexity.

All candidates must demonstrate, in their CV and supporting letter, how they meet the selection criteria for the role, through their knowledge, skills and experience.

Selection Criteria

1. Proven experience in digital transformation within large organizations, preferably in housing, infrastructure, or public sector.
2. Strong understanding of emerging technologies (e.g., AI, data analytics, cloud computing, automation) and their role in modernizing housing and infrastructure.
3. Experience in enterprise architecture, IT governance, cybersecurity, and data strategy.
4. Experience in leading and advising on digital change at a senior or board level.
5. Ability to assess and challenge digital strategies, investment decisions, and technology risks.
6. Experience ensuring data security, digital ethics, and responsible AI governance.

Expenses and Subsistence: Reasonable travel and subsistence expenses incurred on Homes England business will be reimbursed in accordance with Home England policies.

Annual performance reviews are expected to be undertaken. Reappointments are not automatic and will only be considered subject to satisfactory performance reviews.

Selection process details
How to apply?

To apply please follow the links to our careers page.

Security

Successful candidates must pass a disclosure and barring security check.

Selection process details

For more information on the role, please see the attached Job Description.

Successful applicants will be advised of the outcome of their application and interviews held as soon as practical after the closing date. Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment. We would like to take this opportunity to thank you for your interest in this role and Homes England.

Please note – Homes England has a responsibility to ensure compliance with HMG Baseline Personnel Security Standard to address the potential problems of identity fraud, illegal working and deception generally. To ensure compliance we will carry out a pre-employment Personal Identity and Vetting Report through Experian to meet the standard and you will therefore be asked to provide certain information in order that the verification check can be carried out if you are successful in your application.

Homes England are an equal opportunities employer and positively encourages applications from suitably qualified and eligible candidates. We are proud to be an equal opportunities employer that values and respects the people who work for us. Our aim is to be an employer of choice, enabling everyone to reach their full potential.

Nationality Requirements

Open to UK, Commonwealth and European Economic Area (EEA) and certain non EEA nationals. Further information on whether you are able to apply is available here.

Working for the Civil Service

Please note this Post is NOT regulated by the Civil Service Commission.

The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equality of opportunity. There is a guaranteed disability confident interview scheme for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.

Further information

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 applicants

Name: Recruitment Team

Email: [e-mail]

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

Security

Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check.

People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard checks.

Nationality requirements
This Job Is Broadly Open To The Following Groups

• UK nationals
• nationals of the Republic of Ireland
• nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
• nationals 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)
• 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 2020
• Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service

Further information on nationality requirements.

Working for the Civil Service

Please note this Post is NOT regulated by the Civil Service Commission.

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.

Diversity and Inclusion

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 Diversity and Inclusion Strategy.

The Civil Service welcomes applications from people who have recently left prison or have an unspent conviction. Read more about prison leaver recruitment.

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 applicants
Job Contact

• Name : [e-mail]
• Email : [e-mail]

Recruitment team

• Email : [e-mail]