Chief Technology Officer - Central Government in Surrey

Chief Technology Officer - Central Government in Surrey

Surrey Full-Time 99000 - 121000 £ / year (est.) Hybrid
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At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead technology strategies for UK public services and drive innovation in AI, cloud, and data.
  • Company: Join CGI, a top-rated inclusive employer committed to diversity and community.
  • Benefits: Competitive salary, excellent pension, private healthcare, and a share scheme.
  • Other info: Collaborative environment with opportunities for career growth and mentorship.
  • Why this job: Shape the future of government technology and make a real impact on millions.
  • Qualifications: Extensive senior technology leadership experience and strong knowledge of UK Government.

The predicted salary is between 99000 - 121000 £ per year.

This job is with CGI, an inclusive employer and a member of myGwork – the largest global platform for the LGBTQ+ business community.

At CGI, you'll shape the technology strategies behind UK public services that make a difference to millions of people. As Chief Technology Officer within our Government business, you'll build trusted relationships with senior leaders, helping turn ambitions across AI, cloud, data, automation and digital transformation into practical outcomes. You'll have the scope to influence our sector strategy, shape high-value propositions and take ownership of technology quality across major programmes, while bringing together expertise from across CGI to solve complex challenges. Working within a collaborative community of experts, you'll have the support and freedom to challenge established thinking, explore new ideas and strengthen CGI's technology leadership across UK Government.

Due to the secure nature of the programme, you will need to hold UK Security Clearance or be eligible to go through this clearance. This is a hybrid position but will require travel to CGI and client offices as required.

Your future duties and responsibilities

In this role, you will provide senior technology leadership across CGI's UK Government business, acting as a trusted advisor to clients and a visible member of our sector leadership team. You will work with senior technology, digital and business leaders across government to shape strategies, roadmaps and investment choices that deliver measurable public-service and business outcomes.

You will take ownership of the sector technology strategy and have the freedom to challenge conventional approaches where a different direction could improve quality, reduce risk or create greater client value. Supported by specialists spanning consulting, engineering, cloud, data, cyber, AI and delivery, you will turn emerging ideas into credible propositions, strengthen technical assurance and develop the next generation of CGI technology leaders.

Key responsibilities include:

  • Build trusted relationships with senior UK Government stakeholders and provide pragmatic advice on technology strategy, transformation and investment.
  • Develop technology-led propositions and support strategic opportunities, bids and pipeline development across UK Government.
  • Define the sector technology strategy and ensure account plans and delivery approaches reflect client priorities, market developments and CGI expertise.
  • Oversee significant architecture, solution and engineering decisions, identifying and escalating material technical risks where necessary.
  • Champion practical innovation across AI, cloud, data and automation, including focused proof of concepts aligned with client priorities and appropriate governance.
  • Drive engineering quality, security, operability, resilience and effective architecture governance across engagements.
  • Bring together CGI expertise and relevant SME partners to create stronger, differentiated solutions to complex government challenges.
  • Mentor technology leaders and strengthen communities across architecture, engineering, product and delivery disciplines.

Required qualifications to be successful in this role

You will bring significant senior technology leadership experience from complex, secure or nationally significant environments, combined with the credibility to advise senior government stakeholders. You should be comfortable moving between strategic client conversations, technology assurance, innovation and commercial opportunity shaping, while translating complex technology decisions into clear business and public-service outcomes.

Essential experience and capabilities include:

  • Extensive experience at CTO, Technology Director, Director, Deputy Director or comparable senior level.
  • Recent experience working with senior stakeholders in UK Government, ideally within large-scale public services or complex citizen-facing environments.
  • Proven ability to develop technology strategies, transformation roadmaps and investment priorities linked to measurable outcomes.
  • Strong knowledge across cloud, enterprise architecture, integration, data, cyber security, AI, automation and modern engineering.
  • Experience applying AI, data or automation to service improvement within government or similarly complex organisations.
  • Strong understanding of DevOps, CI/CD, test automation, secure software development, architecture governance and operational readiness.
  • Proven ability to communicate complex technology issues clearly and influence senior technical and non-technical stakeholders.
  • Experience shaping propositions, strategic bids, account growth and qualified pipeline from client and market needs.
  • Sound judgement across architecture, technical risk, quality, security, governance and delivery constraints.
  • Demonstrable experience developing senior technical talent and building collaborative technology communities.
  • Strong knowledge of UK public services, government technology environments, procurement and governance.

Together, as owners, let's turn meaningful insights into action. Life at CGI is rooted in ownership, teamwork, respect and belonging. Here, you'll reach your full potential because you are invited to be an owner from day 1 as we work together to bring our Dream to life. That's why we call ourselves CGI Partners rather than employees. We benefit from our collective success and actively shape our company's strategy and direction.

Your work creates value. You'll develop innovative solutions and build relationships with teammates and clients while accessing global capabilities to scale your ideas, embrace new opportunities, and benefit from expansive industry and technology expertise. You'll shape your career by joining a company built to grow and last. You'll be supported by leaders who care about your health and well-being and provide you with opportunities to deepen your skills and broaden your horizons.

Chief Technology Officer - Central Government in Surrey employer: CGI

At CGI, we pride ourselves on being an inclusive employer that fosters a supportive and collaborative work culture. As a Platform Engineer in Glasgow, you'll enjoy competitive benefits including a strong pension scheme, private healthcare, and the opportunity to become a CGI Partner through our share scheme. With a commitment to employee growth and development, you'll have the freedom to innovate and make a meaningful impact while working alongside a diverse community of experts dedicated to shaping the future of technology.

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Contact Details:

CGI Recruitment Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land Chief Technology Officer - Central Government in Surrey

✨Join the IT Consultancy Buzz

Get involved in local or virtual IT consultancy meetups and forums. This is where we can rub shoulders with industry professionals, get insights into what CGI values, and even spot unadvertised opportunities. Don't miss out on these chances to make a name for ourselves in the IT world!

✨Show Off Your Skills

Create a personal project or case study relevant to the challenges CGI might face. Use platforms like GitHub or Medium to share your findings. This not only demonstrates our consulting skills but shows a proactive attitude, making us stand out from the crowd when applying for that full-time gig.

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Follow and engage with the relevant thought leaders and influencers in IT consultancy on LinkedIn. Share insightful content and join discussions to gain visibility. A well-placed comment or shared article could catch the attention of someone at CGI!

✨Direct Apply to CGI

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We think you need these skills to ace Chief Technology Officer - Central Government in Surrey

Senior Technology Leadership
Technology Strategy Development
Cloud Computing
Enterprise Architecture
Data Management
Cyber Security
Artificial Intelligence

Some tips for your application 🫡

Showcase Your Problem-Solving Skills:In IT consulting, it's all about problem-solving, so make sure your CV highlights your analytical skills and any relevant projects you've tackled. Mention specific technologies or methodologies you've used to resolve issues or improve processes; this shows you can think critically and deliver results, which is vital for us at CGI.

Highlight Relevant Certifications:Certifications like ITIL, PMP, or even specific tech stack qualifications can really make you stand out. Make sure to include these in your CV, as they not only demonstrate your expertise but also your commitment to staying current in the field. We love seeing candidates who are proactive about their professional development!

Tailor Your Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to connect personally with us at CGI. Share stories about your experiences in IT consulting, and how they shaped your desire to join our team. Mention why you’re excited about this particular role, and how you see yourself contributing to our projects.

Keep It Clear and Concise:We're all busy, so make sure your application is easy to read. Use bullet points for key achievements, and don’t overload us with jargon. A clean, professional layout goes a long way. Remember, the clearer your application, the more likely we are to invite you in for an interview!

How to prepare for a job interview at CGI

✨Brush Up on Your Technical Skills

For an IT consulting role, be ready to demonstrate your technical prowess. You might face questions on systems integration, cloud technologies, or even troubleshooting specific software. If you have experience with tools like AWS, Azure, or even specific programming languages, make sure you can talk about them fluently.

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IT consulting is all about solving problems for clients. Think about how you can illustrate your approach to a past challenge using the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result). It's a great way to show how you tackle complex issues and come up with effective solutions.

✨Know the Business Impact of IT Solutions

When discussing your experiences, focus not just on the tech solutions you implemented, but also on their business impact. Employers want to see that you can connect IT with organisational goals. Prep examples that highlight how your tech contributions improved efficiency or reduced costs for past clients or projects.

✨Prepare for Behavioural Questions

Since IT consulting often involves teamwork and client interactions, expect behavioural questions that assess your interpersonal skills. Be prepared with examples that demonstrate your adaptability, communication skills, and how you handle client feedback. Before the interview, think of situations where you worked closely with clients to create effective IT strategies or changes.