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- Tasks: Lead digital transformation and data strategy for a national organisation focused on nature recovery.
- Company: Natural England, dedicated to protecting the environment and enhancing public access.
- Benefits: Competitive salary of ÂŁ81,000 plus benefits, flexible working across England.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on nature and communities while leading a passionate team.
- Qualifications: Proven leadership in digital transformation and strong relationship-building skills required.
- Other info: Join an ambitious journey towards a digitally-enabled organisation with significant career growth.
The predicted salary is between 72000 - 90000 ÂŁ per year.
Location: Flexible across England | Salary: ÂŁ81,000 + Benefits | Permanent
This job post will be advertised for a minimum period of two weeks on LinkedIn. After this time please apply directly to this link until the closing date of 09:00 on Monday 16 March 2026.
Nature sits at the heart of our nation’s prosperity, it is essential national infrastructure. It supports economic growth, improves our health and wellbeing, and strengthens our resilience in a rapidly changing world. Natural England’s mission is to recover nature for health, wealth and security advising government, protecting our natural environment, enabling public access, and ensuring nature conservation and regulatory services are delivered effectively across the country.
To deliver on this mission at scale, digital and data are fundamental. Our statutory services, our organisational reforms, our regulatory responsibilities, and our leadership of nature recovery all depend on high‑quality digital systems, strong data foundations and modern, user‑centred services.
We are already on an ambitious transformation journey. We have established new governance and assurance processes, brought together a unified digital and data directorate, and built a development pipeline of significant programmes. We are now transforming Natural England into a truly digitally‑enabled organisation and this new role will spearhead that change, driving it further and faster.
The Opportunity
Reporting to the Chief Scientist, you will play a strategic and highly visible role in shaping and delivering our Destination Digital strategy. You will lead a team of around 50 specialists, setting the direction for digital and data across the organisation, embedding modern ways of working and ensuring solutions deliver sustained, measurable benefits for nature.
You will work closely with colleagues across Natural England, the DEFRA group and cross‑government partners, strengthening relationships, influencing decisions and ensuring digital and data services are delivered in better, simpler and more effective ways.
You will champion innovation, draw on expertise from public and private sectors, and push forward the adoption of leading‑edge technologies where they can deliver genuine value. Above all, you will be a leader for a team of committed digital and data professionals (and for the wider Natural England workforce) who share a deep passion for improving outcomes for communities, the environment and the nation.
What you will bring
Essential criteria: To be successful, you will be/bring:
- A visible, inclusive and credible leader, trusted at executive, organisational and partner levels. You inspire and mobilise others, embed cultural change and build a sustained continuous‑improvement mindset.
- Proven experience leading enterprise‑wide digital and data transformation, with end‑to‑end ownership for modernising services, operating models and ways of working, ensuring solutions are adopted, embedded and deliver lasting organisational value.
- Strong portfolio and delivery leadership, with a track record of managing large‑scale digital and data programmes on time and within budget, supported by robust governance and assurance.
- Deep digital and data expertise, applying strategic insight across digital technologies, data management, cybersecurity and IT infrastructure.
- Organisational and people leadership, guiding multidisciplinary teams through complexity and uncertainty, maintaining momentum and delivering at pace.
- A highly effective relationship‑builder, able to establish credibility, influence decisions based on risk and strategic priorities, and align diverse stakeholders across a complex partner ecosystem.
This is a unique and exciting opportunity to make a lasting difference transforming how a national organisation operates and enabling our people to deliver better outcomes for nature, now and for the future.
If you are motivated by our mission and inspired by our ambition, we would love to hear from you.
To apply for this post, you will need to complete the online application process no later than 09:00 on Monday 16 March 2026. All applications must be submitted by clicking Apply.
How to apply
When applying, please ensure that you provide the following information:
- Your CV (pdf)
- A supporting statement (pdf and of not more than 2 pages) detailing how you can address the Essential criteria
- Contact telephone numbers as well as your personal email address
- A completed diversity monitoring form (this will appear on screen as part of the application process).
For a confidential discussion about the role, please do contact our recruitment advisers at GatenbySanderson who will be delighted to speak with you:
- Sarah Luxford on 07812 150386 Sarah.Luxford@gatenbysanderson.com
- Martyn Brereton on 07586 715531 Martyn.brereton@gatenbysanderson.com
Director of Digital and Data employer: GatenbySanderson
Contact Detail:
GatenbySanderson Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Director of Digital and Data
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in your industry on LinkedIn or at events. A friendly chat can open doors that a CV just can't.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its mission. Show them you’re not just another candidate, but someone who genuinely cares about their goals.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your pitch! Be ready to explain how your skills can help them achieve their digital and data transformation goals. Confidence is key!
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re serious about the role.
We think you need these skills to ace Director of Digital and Data
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the role of Director of Digital and Data. Highlight your relevant experience in digital transformation and data management, showcasing how you've led teams and delivered results.
Craft a Compelling Supporting Statement: Your supporting statement is your chance to shine! Use it to directly address the essential criteria listed in the job description. Be specific about your achievements and how they align with Natural England's mission.
Keep It Professional Yet Personal: While we want you to be professional, don’t shy away from letting your personality shine through. Show us your passion for nature and digital innovation, and how you can inspire others in this role.
Submit Through Our Website: Remember to apply directly through our website before the deadline. It’s the easiest way for us to receive your application and ensures you don’t miss out on this exciting opportunity!
How to prepare for a job interview at GatenbySanderson
✨Know Your Digital and Data Stuff
Make sure you brush up on the latest trends in digital transformation and data management. Understand how these areas can impact Natural England's mission and be ready to discuss specific examples of how you've led similar initiatives in the past.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
As a Director, you'll need to demonstrate your ability to inspire and mobilise teams. Prepare anecdotes that highlight your experience in leading multidisciplinary teams through change, and how you've built a culture of continuous improvement.
✨Build Relationships Before the Interview
Reach out to current or former employees of Natural England or those in similar roles. This will give you insights into the company culture and help you tailor your responses to show how you can fit in and lead effectively.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect questions that ask how you would handle specific challenges related to digital and data transformation. Think about potential scenarios you might face in this role and prepare structured responses that showcase your strategic thinking and problem-solving skills.