Public Sector Chief Architect – Digital Transformation

Government Digital Service; West of England; On-site; GBP 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Government Digital Service (GDS) leads the UK's digital government agenda from OCTO, shaping technology strategies and interoperable services across central government. This principal role drives architectural excellence, sets long-term roadmaps, and advances public sector technology capabilities at scale.

You will mentor teams, engage with senior stakeholders, and guide high-risk, complex tech programmes to deliver safer, more efficient digital services for citizens and government users.

Qualifications

• Experience setting a vision and leading digital and data change across complex and decentralised organisations.
• Experience designing and building technology characterised by high risk and complexity and embedding it at scale.
• Experience engaging with suppliers both formally and informally.
• Ability to communicate with technical stakeholders like CTOs/CDOs across government, as well as ministers and permanent secretaries.
• Ability to share learning and mentor others, adapting feedback for lasting impact.
• Experience driving efficiency and lowering costs.
• Security clearance: role requires SC clearance; may require 5 years’ UK residency in the past 5 years.

Responsibilities

• Building a decade-long strategy in your field / specialism that’s truly yours.
• Identifying and promoting best practice across government and the public sector.
• Delivering technologies that have a positive impact on users.
• Developing a network of peers, building credibility and improving communication.
• Maximising the offer from vendors to the public sector.

Skills

Vision leadership

Digital change

Complex systems

Supplier engagement

Stakeholder communication

Mentoring

Cost efficiency

Job description

Government Digital Service (GDS) leads the UK's digital government agenda from OCTO, shaping technology strategies and interoperable services across central government. This principal role drives architectural excellence, sets long-term roadmaps, and advances public sector technology capabilities at scale.

You will mentor teams, engage with senior stakeholders, and guide high-risk, complex tech programmes to deliver safer, more efficient digital services for citizens and government users.