At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and oversee a dynamic digital portfolio, driving innovation and strategic improvements.
- Company: Join the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office, shaping global diplomacy with technology.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, location allowance, Civil Service pension, and opportunities for personal development.
- Other info: Diversity and inclusion are valued; British citizenship and security clearance needed.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on global issues while working in a collaborative and innovative environment.
- Qualifications: Experience in managing complex digital projects and strong leadership skills required.
Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office
Reference number: 458119
Total Package: £69,500 + location allowance of £5,000 (London), £1,750 (Milton Keynes), £69,500 (East Kilbride)
Contract: Full time, permanent
Location: London, East Kilbride or Milton Keynes
Hours: Full time. You will be required to work in line with our policies on hybrid working (minimum 60% in the office).
We lead the UK’s diplomatic, development and consular work around the world. We employ around 17,000 staff in our global network of 281 offices worldwide. Our UK-based staff work in King Charles Street in London, Abercrombie House in East Kilbride and Hanslope Park in Milton Keynes.
Your role with us
The Digital Technology and Security (DTaS) directorate is responsible for delivering our ambition to make the FCDO the world’s most technologically integrated and innovative foreign ministry. This means harnessing digital, data, technology, IT security and information management to deliver our diplomatic, development and consular aims, all while keeping our people and information safe, especially from hostile actors.
Main purpose of the job
When you join us in this important role, you will provide strategic oversight of our digital, data and technology portfolio as you lead a collaborative team of portfolio professionals, and inspire a culture of continuous improvement, collaboration and delivery excellence. Shaping and maintaining a robust governance framework, it will be your task to ensure effective prioritisation, resource allocation and risk management across a complex, high-value portfolio of products, services and programmes. Working closely with our senior stakeholders to maintain evidence-based investment decisions, we also expect you to ensure benefits are clearly defined, and the portfolio adapts to changing priorities.
Acting as a key advisor to your senior leadership colleagues, you will be committed to providing clear, data-driven insights and recommendations to inform decision-making at the highest levels of our organisation. Championing best practice in strategic portfolio management will be key to your success, as will supporting the development of business cases and ensuring reporting mechanisms are in place to track progress, manage interdependencies and deliver successful outcomes. You will have a number of additional day-to-day responsibilities including identifying, categorising and prioritising new demand for inclusion in service groups and the portfolio, establishing a clear governance framework and reporting system, coordinating reporting from service groups, and analysing performance at portfolio level.
Who we’re looking for
To be a success in this significant position you will have well-developed experience of managing large-scale, complex digital and technology projects, and of using strategic portfolio management as a tool for organisational change. With proven practical knowledge of strategic risk management, agile planning cycles, problem solving and the ability to administer multiple interdependencies, your strong leadership skills will see you inspiring cross-functional teams and engaging, motivating and coaching on best practice processes.
Candidates will ideally possess a Chartered Project Professional (ChPP), Managing Successful Programmes (MSP), or Management of Portfolios (MoP) certification, or demonstrate significant experience in successfully managing complex programmes or portfolios. Able to adopt a proactive approach to your work while focusing on the continuous improvement of yourself and the service, you will have the communication skills to identify, analyse and engage with stakeholders through a range of channels, ensuring that investment proposals align with our ambitious transformation objectives.
Please be aware that you must be a British Citizen at the time of application and be required to attain Developed Vetting (DV) security clearance.
We value diversity and inclusion and actively encourage and welcome applications from all communities. Everyone here gets the support to develop their skills and capabilities as well as benefits that help to make the most of life in and out of work, including a Civil Service pension.
Use your talent and experience to shape our nation’s future, and deliver tangible improvements to millions of lives, including your own.
Apply before 11:55 pm on Monday 29th June 2026.
Head of Digital Portfolio in Central employer: Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office
The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment where innovation and collaboration thrive. With a commitment to employee growth, we provide extensive training opportunities and a supportive culture that values diversity and inclusion. Located in London, East Kilbride, or Milton Keynes, our offices foster a hybrid working model, ensuring a healthy work-life balance while empowering you to make a meaningful impact on global diplomacy and development.
Contact Details:
Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office Recruitment Team
