Chief Technology Officer
Job summary
This is a pivotal leadership role at the heart of a major public service transformation.
The Insolvency Service is modernising how it supports citizens in financial distress, tackles economic wrongdoing, and delivers high-volume statutory services. Digital, data and technology are critical to this ambition.
As Chief Digital and Information Officer, you will lead a step-change in how we design, deliver and operate services—moving from legacy, fragmented systems toward resilient, user-centred, data-driven platforms that improve outcomes for citizens and enable economic growth.
You will operate as a core member of the Executive Leadership Team, shaping organisational strategy and acting as the principal advisor to the Chief Executive and Board on digital, technology, cyber and data.
Job description
What You Will Be Accountable For
1.LeadingTransformation at Scale
- Define and deliver a multi-year digital and technology strategy that modernises critical services and reduces reliance on legacy systems
- Drive adoption of product-based delivery models and modern engineering practices
- Identify and scale the use of data, automation and AI to improve efficiency, fraud detection and service quality
2.Delivering Excellent, Reliable Services
- Ensure high availability, resilience and performance across critical national services supporting ~80,000 users annually
- Improve end-to-end service journeys using user-centred design and measurable performance outcomes
- Stabilise and progressively modernise a complex live estate
3.Building a High-Performing DDaT Function
- Lead and develop a multidisciplinary workforce, building deep capability across architecture, engineering, cyber and data
- Strengthen internal capability while optimising the use of strategic suppliers
- Create a culture of accountability, innovation and continuous improvement
4. Strengthening Cyber and Risk Posture
- Lead the organisation’s cyber resilience strategy, embedding secure-by-design principles
- Ensure robust management of information risk, regulatory compliance and data governance
- Build a security-aware culture across the organisation
5. Driving Value and Commercial Impact
- Oversee significant investment in digital and technology, ensuring clear prioritisation and measurable value
- Improve commercial outcomes across a complex supplier ecosystem, including SIAM arrangements
- Deliver efficiencies while enabling transformation
6. Influencing at the Highest Levels
- Act as a trusted advisor to the Chief Executive, Board and Ministers
- Build strong partnerships across government, including DBT and central digital and security functions
- Communicate complex technology and risk issues clearly to drive effective decision-making
What Success Looks Like (First 18–24 Months)
- Measurable improvement in reliability and performance of critical services, more transparency in reporting and dashboarding
- Clear, funded roadmap to reduce remaining legacy systems and technical debt (in 12 months)
- Increased digital adoption and improved user satisfaction
- Stronger cyber maturity and reduced organisational risk exposure
- Improved supplier performance and demonstrable value for money
- A more engaged, capable and stable DDaT workforce
Person specification
We are looking for a senior leader who combines strategic vision with delivery credibility.
You will bring:
- Excellent leadership skills, with proven success of building high-performing, cross functional teams, where emphasis is placed on creating value
- A strong track record of leading large-scale digital and technology transformation, ideally in complex, regulated or service-intensive environments
- Experience running and modernising critical live services at scale
- Ability to balance short-term operational stability with long-term transformation
- Deep understanding of modern architectures, cloud, data platforms and emerging technologies (including AI)
- Proven ability to lead through others, influence at Board level, and operate in complex stakeholder environments
- Strong commercial and financial acumen, including managing significant budgets and supplier ecosystems
Why This Role
This is an opportunity to:
- Lead meaningful, national-impact services that directly affect people in vulnerable situations
- Shape and deliver a major transformation agenda with Board-level visibility
- Build and lead a modern, high-performing DDaT organisation
- Influence how digital government services evolve in a critical economic domain
Benefits
Alongside your salary of £86,000, Insolvency Service contributes £24,914 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides (opens in a new window).We offer a wide range of benefits to support your health, well-being, financial security, and work-life balance. These benefits include:
Civil Service Pension Scheme: A competitive pension plan with an average employer contribution of 28.97%, providing financial security in retirement.
Leave Entitlement: We offer generous annual leave, sick leave, maternity leave, paternity leave, and other leave options to support a healthy work-life balance.
Full-time new entrants and those on modernised terms and conditions receive 25 days of leave, increasing on a sliding scale to 30 days after five years' service. In addition to this, you are entitled to eight public/bank holidays plus an additional day of privilege leave. The allowance is pro-rated for part- time employees.
Work-life Balance: We understand the need for a healthy work-life balance by providing a variety of flexible working options, including part-time work, job sharing, and flexible hours. This empowers you to manage your personal commitments effectively, ensuring your career continues to flourish.
Hybrid Working Policy: The Insolvency Service operates a hybrid working model, subject to business needs. This gives you the flexibility to choose when and where you work, balancing home and office time as needed by your role. You'll be expected to work from one of our regional office locations for collaboration and team interaction. The program allows flexibility to split your working week, with a minimum of 60% spent in the workplace (including office, site visits, court, etc.). We take a supportive approach to work arrangements, allowing you to manage family commitments effectively.
Salary Sacrifice Schemes: Save money on your commute with Cycle to Work and manage existing childcare vouchers through Edenred.
Employee Discounts: Access a variety of discounts through Edenred, including shopping, travel, and entertainment.
We are committed to providing a comprehensive package that recognises and rewards your valuable contributions. Explore all the programs and benefits available to you.
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
If you are interested in this vacancy, please email IS-CDIO@global-resourcing.com to register your interest and add you to the distribution list for our dedicated microsite.
Application
To apply, please submit the following to IS-CDIO@global-resourcing.com by no later than 23:55 on Monday 20th July 2026.
Your CV, with educational and professional qualifications and full employment history, including an explanation of any gaps in your employment history, and details where possible of budgets and numbers of people.
A short covering statement of no more than two A4 sized pages explaining why this appointment interests you and how you can evidence your suitability for the role, with particular reference to the essential criteria within the ‘Person Specification’ section of the job description documents.
Global Resourcing will confirm receipt of your application via email, which will also include a link to complete an online diversity monitoring survey. All applicants are invited to complete this information to assist the Civil Service with monitoring its recruitment process. All data is reported in an anonymous and aggregate format and will not be seen by anyone assessing your application.
Whilst we recognise that AI tools such as ChatGPT can be invaluable in supporting candidates by assisting with the creation of CVs & cover letters, it's essential to review and personalise these drafts to ensure they authentically reflect your unique skills, experiences, and personality. This personal touch not only enhances these documents impact but also demonstrates interest, genuine engagement, and individuality to potential employers.
Interview
Shortlisted candidates will undertake an Individual Leadership Assessment, which includes: Psychometric testing and a virtual meeting with an assessor.
For guidance on the ILA, please visit: scs assessments.co.uk/psychometric-assessments-2
You will also be assessed on the below Civil Service Behaviours during your interview
- Leadership
- Communicating and Influencing
- Delivering at Pace
- Making Effective Decisions
Expected Timeline
Application Closing date: 23.55 Monday 20th July 2026
Longlist: Friday 24th July 2026
Shortlist: Friday 14th August 2026
Assessments: 19th August – 2nd September 2026
Final Interview: W/C 7th September 2026
For any further information, please reach out to Daniel White or Tom King on 020 8253 1806, or via email at IS-CDIO@global-resourcing.com.
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
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 : Daniel White or Tom King
- Email : IS-CDIO@global-resourcing.com
Recruitment team
- Email : HR.Recruitment@insolvency.gov.uk
Further information
Civil Service Commission Selection for appointment to the Civil Service is on merit, on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission’s Recruitment Principles.In accordance with the Civil Service Commissioners’ Recruitment Principles, our recruitment and selection processes are underpinned by the requirement of appointment on the basis of merit by fair and open competition. If you feel your application has not been treated in accordance with the Recruitment Principles and you wish to make a complaint, in the first instance you should contact; scscandidate.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk
If you are not satisfied with the response you receive you can contact the Civil Service Commission at info@csc.gov.uk and more information can be found at www.civilservicecommission.independent.gov.uk
https://www.linkedin.com/jobs/view/4428950661/?trk=mcm
Attachments
Insolvency Candidate Information Pack_23.06.2026 (1) Opens in new window (pdf, 5775kB)Share this page
Salary range
- £86,000 - £117,800 per year