Chief Digital and Information Officer

Job summary

The Chief Digital & Information Officer is an Executive Board Director with collective responsibility for developing and delivering the agency’s strategic objectives. They provide leadership of the DVSA Digital, Data and Technology community for core customer-facing and internal services, including: 3 services in the government’s top 75 digital services.

The role oversees the development and continuous improvement of the enterprise architecture, technology infrastructure, systems and applications, digital delivery, security and the data and information management strategy for core customer-facing and internal services. In collaboration with the Executive team, the key focus is to ensure that there is the right level of digital, data and technological expertise and resource to enable timely delivery of the agreed priorities for DVSA’s services.

As well as being responsible for working with DfT and GDS in planning for and implementing any additional services required of DVSA and the postholder also represents DVSA in cross-government networks and fora.

DVSA’s digital, data and security functions are fundamental to every service DVSA delivers. Our systems are accessed by millions of GB citizens and businesses every year to book, pay for and learn more about, our services. The team also provide operational and specialist systems for internal users. The directorate is also establishing an enterprise architecture practice, building domain capability and growing capacity to design solutions towards a goal architecture to ensure that change becomes easier, quicker and cheaper, reducing the total cost of ownership to successfully deliver the DVSA’s strategic and efficiency plans. The role holder is accountable for ensuring the ongoing support, business continuity, development and maintenance of information management and security, data, and IT service disaster recovery services.

Job description

Key Responsibilities

Executive Committee Member

• Support the Chief Executive in their role as Accounting Officer, ensuring that the Agency is led and managed effectively and efficiently, deputising for the Chief Executive where required. Champion decisions made by the Executive Committee and Directing Board and role model the Agency’s values and cultural aspirations.

• Contribute to the development of DVSA’s vision and strategic plans.

• Development and implementation of major organisational change initiatives through a service-led approach.

• Directors are also expected to sponsor several strategic projects

Directorate Leadership

• Lead a broad range of digital, data, architecture and technology teams with a strategic mindset and vision to develop and run DVSA digital services, which are agile and secure by design, compliant with GDS service standards and continuously improved in response to user feedback. The post holder will be a primary link between DVSA and the DfT D&D group.

• Working with senior teams across the agency to develop and deliver the directorate's annual plan and enable the delivery of the plans of other Directors. Provide leadership to the Directorate's teams and champion a culture of continuous improvement and performance management, making appropriate use of the services and standards provided by GDS and the cross-government Digital and Data profession to support this.

• Manage both internal resources and third-party suppliers to implement significant business and cultural changes across the agency, as informed by the agreed service priorities. Ensure the development, operation and improvement of digital by default services is successful and secure. Find innovative ways to drive the shift to insourced teams and manage attraction and retention challenges to achieve committed efficiency savings in a climate of overall Civil Service cost and headcount control.

Digital and Data

• Shape the strategic approach to the development of DVSA’s digital services and the development or acquisition of the technology to deliver them; this includes responsibility for procurement, development, security and delivery across the whole of the estate of the agency. Seek to demonstrably improve DVSA’s return on investment on technology spending and reporting this against outcome-based performance metrics.

• Ensure any new mission technology is delivered in line with the government's code of practice, and digital and data services are delivered in line with the relevant government service and functional standards, including Secure by Design, One Login initiatives etc. Work with GDS to define the scope and application of common service provision for cross-government commodity infrastructure technology and ensure that the delivery and iteration of technology services is supported by effective analysis of the financial benefits of taking an agile, open, user-driven approach. Create opportunity to design and deliver digitally driven solutions and services that are fully supported by the right architectures and systems, while avoiding creation of legacy technology.

• The role supports a culture of data-driven delivery within the Agency through leadership of the DVSA’s data science and forecasting functions ensuring both process and guidance link to the Agency’s strategic plans and long-term financial forecast. Working closely with the relevant services, committees and functions, develop the enterprise data frameworks to ensure that DVSA has access to the information and knowledge required to optimise decision making.

Security and Resilience

• Lead and shape the Agency’s response to cyber security threats and incidents, working to improve business resilience and continuity plans in preparedness for an incident.

• Ensure remediation of systems and processes in response to emerging cyber security intelligence and work with the cross-government networks to mature DVSA’s ability to identify, manage and mitigate cyber security threat levels.

Leadership and Culture

• Contribute to the transformation of leadership capability, bringing about a step-change in culture enabling greater levels of engagement and productivity.
• Contribute to our drive to improve the diversity of our people and the broader inclusion agenda to provide a better service to customers and contribute to our aim of being a great place to work.

Directorate Functions

• Data & Security – Data Science, Data Management, Cyber Assurance, Data Protection and Information Management, Data Analysis, Data Engineering.

• Technology – Technical Services Delivery, Development, Infrastructure, Contract Management, Business Systems.

• Enterprise Architecture – All domains, technical design and architecture enablement.

• Digital Delivery – Programme Delivery, User Centred Design, Business Analysis -

D&D capability building and professional development, including early talent, D&D Governance, D&D Business Partnering and Business Support.

The job holder will have responsibility for teams of around 600 people at DVSA across Great Britain. The post manages 5 Corporate Senior Leaders, and has the support of a Business Support Manager and a PA.

Person specification

It is essential in your supporting statement that you provide evidence and proven examples against each of the following selection criteria.

• Extensive experience leading high‑performing digital, technology, data and cyber security functions, with a deep understanding of Government digital governance frameworks and a strong record of delivering digital transformation and improvement programmes.
• Skilled in gathering and prioritising customer and service user requirements to maximise value, combined with a proven track record of driving delivery at pace, applying project management techniques, and proactively managing risks.
• Proven ability to develop organisational strategy and translate a compelling vision into action, supported by strong strategic judgement and the ability to see connections across complex issues and recommend sound decisions in a political environment.
• Highly developed communication skills with the ability to influence senior stakeholders and industry leaders, and convey complex and technical information clearly and concisely.
• Outstanding leadership capability, with the ability to recruit, inspire and empower colleagues; build diverse and inclusive teams; and grow organisational capability and resilience under pressure and public scrutiny.

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £95,000, Department for Transport contributes £27,521 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.

Whatever your role, we take your career and development seriously, and want to enable you to build a really successful career with the Department and wider Civil Service.

It is crucial that our employees have the right skills to develop their careers and meet the challenges ahead, and you’ll benefit from regular performance and development reviews to ensure this development is ongoing. As a Civil Service employee, you’ll be entitled to a large range of benefits.

Equality, Diversity & Inclusion

The Civil Service values and supports all its employees.

We have strong and pro-active staff networks, special leave policies for hospital appointments, reasonable adjustments put in place for those who need them, and diversity talent programmes to help everyone irrespective of background, to achieve their potential.

Pension

Your pension is a valuable part of your total reward package.

A competitive contributory pension scheme that you can enter as soon as you join where we will make a significant contribution to the cost of your pension; where your contributions come out of your salary before any tax is taken; and where your pension will continue to provide valuable benefits for you and your family if you are too ill to continue to work or die before you retire. Visit Civil Service Pension Scheme for more details.

Generous Annual Leave and Bank Holiday Allowance

25 days annual leave on entry, increasing on a sliding scale to 30 days after 5 years’ service (allowance is pro rata for part-time employees). This is in addition to 8 public holidays.

This will be complimented by one further day paid privilege entitlement to mark the King’s Birthday.
(Leave is Pro rata basis for part time/job share)

Staff Wellbeing

Flexible working including part-time or term-time working and access to Flexible Working Schemes allowing you to vary your working day as long as you work your total hours.

Generous paid maternity and paternity leave which is notably more than the statutory minimum offered by many other employers.

Childcare benefits (policy for new employees as of 5 April 2018): The government has introduced the Tax-Free Childcare (TFC) scheme. Working parents can open an online childcare account and for every £8 they pay in, the government adds £2, up to a maximum of £2000 a year for each child or £4000 for a disabled child. Parents then use the funds to pay for registered childcare. Existing employees may be able to continue to claim childcare vouchers, so please check how the policy would work for you here. Any move to the DfT from another employer will mean you can no longer access childcare vouchers. This includes moves between government departments.

Onsite facilities Opportunity to use onsite facilities including fitness centres and staff canteens (where applicable).

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 for this post, you will need to complete the online form. This should be completed no later than 23:55 on Sunday 22nd February 2026

The application will include:

• A CV setting out your career history, with key responsibilities and achievements. Please ensure you have provided reasons for any gaps within the last two years.
• A Statement of Suitability (no longer than 1000 words) explaining how you consider your personal skills, qualities and experience provide evidence of your suitability for the role, with particular reference to the criteria in the person specification.

Failure to submit both documents will mean the panel only have limited information on which to assess your application against the criteria in the person specification.

As part of the online application process, you will be asked several diversity-related questions. If you do not wish to provide a declaration on any of the particular characteristics, you will have the option to select 'prefer not to say’.

All monitoring data will be treated in the strictest confidence and will not be provided to the selection panel.

Should you encounter any issues with your online application please get in touch with us via scscandidate.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk

Shortlist

Your application will be acknowledged when it is received.

The panel will select a shortlist of candidates whose applications best demonstrate suitability for the role, by considering the evidence provided against the essential criteria set out in the Person Specification.

Candidates applying under the Disability Confident Scheme who meet the minimum selection criteria in the job specification are guaranteed an interview.

Assessment

Shortlisted candidates may be asked to take part in a series of assessments which could include:

• Individual Leadership Assessment – a combination of psychometric assessments
• Staff Engagement Exercise - a presentation and Q&A with a representative staff group from across the DVSA.

These assessments will not result in a pass or fail decision. Rather, they are designed to support the panel’s decision making and highlight areas for the panel to explore further at interview.

You may have the opportunity to have an informal discussion about DVSA with a member of the DVSA team.

Interview

You will be asked to attend a panel interview to have a more in-depth discussion of your previous experience and professional competence in relation to the criteria set out in the Person Specification.

Interviews are expected to take place face to face in DfT’s London office, all shortlisted candidates will be asked to prepare a 5-minute presentation.

Offer and Feedback

Unfortunately, due to the anticipated number of applicants for this role, we are unable to provide feedback to those not successful at shortlist stage. Candidates who are shortlisted and attend an interview will be offered verbal feedback from a member of the interview panel.

The timeline later in this pack indicates the date by which decisions are expected to be made, all candidates will be advised of the outcome as soon as possible thereafter, and we will advise on any delays.

Indicative timeline

We will try and offer as much flexibility as we can, but it may not be possible to offer alternative dates for assessments or interviews. You are therefore asked to note the below timetable, exercising flexibility through the recruitment and selection process may be conducted virtually.

Advert Closing Date 22nd February 2026

Shortlist: w/c 2nd March 2026

Assessments w/c 16th March 2026

Panel Interviews 25th March 2026

Reasonable Adjustment

If a person with disabilities is put at a substantial disadvantage compared to a non-disabled person, we have a duty to make reasonable changes to our processes.

If you need a change to be made so that you can make your application, you should:

• Contact Government Recruitment Service at: scscandidate.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk as soon as possible before the closing date to discuss your needs.
• Complete the ‘assistance required’ section in the ‘personal information’ page of your application form to provide information we should be aware of that will enable us to support you further on in the recruitment process. For instance, you may need wheelchair access at interview, or if you’re deaf, a Language Service Professional.

Reserve lists

A reserve list may be held for up to 12 months, which the Civil Service may use to fill future suitable vacancies across government for candidates who are considered appointable following interview.

Further Information

f you are experiencing accessibility problems with any attachments on this advert, please contact: scscandidate.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk

Applicants who are successful at interview will be, as part of pre-employment screening, subject to a check on the Internal Fraud Database (IFD). This check will provide information about employees who have been dismissed for fraud or dishonesty offences. This check also applies to employees who resign or otherwise leave before being dismissed for fraud or dishonesty had their employment continued. Any applicant’s details held on the IFD will be refused employment.

A candidate is not eligible to apply for a role within the Civil Service if the application is made within a 5-year period following a dismissal for carrying out internal fraud against government.

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.This role has a minimum assignment duration of 3 years. An assignment duration is the period of time a Senior Civil Servant is expected to remain in the same post to enable them to deliver on the agreed key business outcomes. The assignment duration also supports your career through building your depth of expertise.

As part of accepting this role you will be agreeing to the expected assignment duration set out above. This will not result in a contractual change to your terms and conditions. Please note this is an expectation only, it is not something which is written into your terms and conditions or indeed which the employing organisation or you are bound by. It will depend on your personal circumstances at a particular time and business needs, for example, would not preclude any absence like family friendly leave. It is nonetheless an important expectation, which is why we ask you to confirm you agree to the assignment duration set out above.

Security

Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check.Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is developed vetting (opens in a new window).

See our vetting charter (opens in a new window).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

The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.

We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles (opens in a new window).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.The Civil Service also offers a Redeployment Interview Scheme to civil servants who are at risk of redundancy, and who meet the minimum requirements for the advertised vacancy.

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

This vacancy is part of the Great Place to Work for Veterans (opens in a new window) initiative.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 : SCS Recruitment Team
• Email : scscandidate.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk

Recruitment team

• Email : scscandidate.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk

Further information

If you feel your application has not been treated in accordance with the Recruitment Principles, and you wish to make a complaint, you should contact Jane.reakes-davies@dvsa.gov.uk in the first instance.

If you are not satisfied with the response you receive from the Agency, you can contact the Civil Service Commission.

Attachments

Chief Digital and Information Officer CIP Opens in new window (pdf, 1787kB)446845 Chief Digital and Information Officer Accessibility Pack (1) Opens in new window (docx, 32kB)