Chief Data and Information Officer (CDIO)

Job summary

Join AHDB as Chief Data and Information Officer (CDIO), a pivotal and newly created post at the heart of the organisation’s leadership team. You will play a critical part in shaping how digital services, data, technology and information are used across AHDB and the wider agricultural sector to deliver lasting value for levy payers.

Reporting directly to the CEO, the CDIO will set the enterprise vision, standards and investment priorities that modernise services, strengthen insight and build cyber resilience. Working closely with the board, executive colleagues and external partners, you will influence and champion responsible innovation and ensure AHDB’s platforms and information are secure, trusted and future‑ready – turning strategy into measurable impact.

This role is offered on a hybrid basis, with two to three days per week based at our HQ in Coventry. As a visible and engaged leader, you will build strong relationships across the organisation, bring people together and help AHDB operate as one connected, high‑performing organisation.

About AHDB

We are the independent, impartial public body that unlocks success in British agriculture. Funded by a levy from over 100,000 British producers in the beef, lamb, pork, dairy and cereals sectors, we support and champion farmers, growers and processors, often where no one else can or will.

We share the expert, evidence-based research and reports that inform on-farm decision-making. We promote British produce to the UK public through domestic marketing campaigns, and we identify and open new global export opportunities to help farm businesses grow.

We help levy payers learn more, sell more and export more to remain sustainable and profitable. Together, we deliver the insights, the influence and the impact that farmers need.

Job description

• Set and lead AHDB’s enterprise‑wide digital, data, technology and information strategy, aligned to the corporate plan and long‑term statutory purpose
• Act as principal adviser to the CEO and the board on technology‑enabled change, information risk, cyber resilience and future capability
• Provide executive assurance and challenge on major digital, data and technology investments, ensuring evidence‑based decision making and clear benefits realisation
• Establish and own enterprise standards, principles and governance, covering architecture, data, security, interoperability and responsible technology use
• Lead AHDB’s information and data stewardship agenda, ensuring data is ethical, secure and trusted by levy payers, partners and government
• Set and embed AHDB’s technology and cyber risk appetite, overseeing resilience, incident governance and third‑party risk
• Represent AHDB externally, influencing government, cross‑sector partners and policy and shaping strategic partnerships that deliver system‑wide outcomes
• Build and lead a high‑performing, multidisciplinary digital, data and technology workforce, managing significant operational and capital budgets

Person specification

To succeed in this role, you will bring:

• Senior leadership experience shaping and delivering enterprise‑wide digital, data and technology strategy in a complex organisation
• A strong track record of advising and influencing board‑level stakeholders, providing strategic insight, assurance and constructive challenge
• Proven experience governing major technology and data investments, with clear accountability for value, risk and benefits realisation
• Deep expertise in data governance, information risk, cyber security and organisational resilience, ideally in a high‑trust or regulated environment
• Credibility representing an organisation externally with government, regulators and strategic partners
• Demonstrated ability to build, lead and inspire multidisciplinary teams, managing competing priorities and significant budgets

Benefits

We believe in rewarding our people for their hard work, so we have a great mix of benefits and opportunities to give you the recognition you deserve:

• 35 hours per week, Monday–Friday, to include hybrid working
• 30 days annual leave plus one privilege day and bank holidays
• Life assurance cover (4x salary)
• A market-leading defined contribution pension scheme with Legal & General
• Enhanced pay of 20 weeks for maternity, adoption and shared parental leave, subject to length of service
• A paid day each year to volunteer and make a difference in your community
• Comprehensive Employee Assistance Programme
• Excellent training and development opportunities and an agreed development plan
• Recognition awards throughout the year
• Reward Gateway membership – this gives you a huge number of online discounts and savings

Things you need to know

Artificial intelligence

Artificial intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. Please see our candidate guidance (opens in a new window) for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.

Selection process details

To apply, simply upload your CV and Cover Letter via our careers portal by clicking the ‘Apply’ button on this page. Our hiring managers will review your application, and we’ll be in touch with the outcome shortly after the closing date.

Shortlisted candidates will be invited to an initial interview via MS Teams. If successful, a second-stage face-to-face interview will be held at our HQ in Coventry, Warwickshire, following our competency-based framework.

Please note that we reserve the right to close the vacancy early should we receive a significant number of suitable applications.

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

Security

People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) 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) (opens in a new window)
• 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 (opens in a new window)

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 theCivil Service People Plan (opens in a new window) and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy (opens in a new window).

Apply and 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

Job contact :

• Name : recruitment@ahdb.org.uk
• Email : recruitment@ahdb.org.uk
• Telephone : 02476 935722

Recruitment team

• Email : recruitment@ahdb.org.uk

Further information

If you feel your application has not been treated in accordance with the Recruitment Principles of the Civil Service, and you wish to make a complaint, in the first instance, you should contact the Head of HR via email: hr@ahdb.org.uk