Principal Technologist

SmartSourcing Ltd; City Of London; Hybrid; GBP 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

SmartSourcing Ltd is seeking a Principal Technologist for a 6-12 month hybrid role in London, Bristol or Manchester, with a pattern of three days per fortnight in the office. You will craft a 10-year IT Operations vision and strategy, run research into the public sector landscape, and develop roadmaps including agentic AI implications.

You will translate complex concepts for senior stakeholders, influence decision-making, and support delivery of operational technologies across government

Qualifications

• Significant experience in IT Operations and/or Software Development with government context.
• Experience delivering large-scale technology change to meet objectives.
• Ability to influence across boundaries and translate lessons for lasting impact.
• Technical credibility to influence senior stakeholders and drivers of change.
• Experience evaluating proposals and designing approaches with high risk and complexity.
• Ability to explain complex concepts to both technical and non-technical audiences.
• Experience working with technology suppliers.

Responsibilities

• Lead creation of the team and a 10-year IT Operations vision and strategy.
• Lead new research to understand current public sector operational landscape.
• Create future states and roadmaps, including AI impact scenarios.
• Support Spending Review coherence for your work.
• Collaborate with senior cross-government stakeholders to shape digital strategy.
• Support delivery of operational technologies.
• Develop a network of peers and improve communication.
• Promote your work through speaking engagements and community events.
• Upskill colleagues within OCTO and GDS in your specialist area.

Skills

IT Operations

Software Development

Governance context

Change delivery

Stakeholder engagement

Public sector

Supplier management

Job description

Principal Technologist – 6-12 mths - £(Apply online only) – SC – hybrid)

Our client is looking for an experienced Principal Technologist to work on a hybrid basis in either London, Bristol or Manchester – 3 days per fortnight.

Experience required:

• Significant experience in the technical professions aligned to IT Operations and/or Software Development specialisms or significant previous experience in this area - preferably in a Government context.


• Experience helping to deliver operations and technology-related change at significant scale to support wider organisational objectives


• Experience to be able to influence and share your learnings and expertise with others across organisational boundaries, with the ability to adapt feedback to ensure change is effective and lasting


• Technical experience which you have used to build credibility with senior stakeholders to influence decisions and drive change


• Experience evaluating proposals and create design approaches characterised by high risk, impact, and complexity


• Experience to be able to translate complex concepts into straightforward language to present to senior stakeholders, both technical and non-technical


• Experience working with technology suppliers

Your responsibilities will include:

• Lead on creation of the team and develop a 10-year IT Operations vision and strategy


• Lead on new research and pieces of work to support better understanding of the maturity of the current cross-public sector operational landscape


• Create a range of future states and roadmaps, including how agentic AI may effect existing practices


• Support future Spending Reviewing coherence for your work


• Work with senior and cross-government stakeholders to shape government digital strategy, translating complex technical concepts into straightforward language to influence senior decision makers


• Support the delivery of existing and new operational technologies


• Developing a network of peers, building credibility and improving communication


• Promoting your work through speaking engagements and hosting community events


• Helping to upskill others within OCTO and GDS in your specialist area