Chief Digital Information Officer (Permanent) in London

As the legal profession evolves, so too must the services, information and technology that support it. The General Council of the Bar consists of two organisations with distinct purposes, together with a central spine of shared services required to sustain them both. This role will serve the whole organisation, helping the Bar Council and Bar Standards Board harness digital innovation and the value of their data to understand changing needs, strengthen services and make better-informed decisions. As Chief Information Officer, you will bring the digital, data and technology leadership to help both organisations look ahead with confidence. With strong senior sponsorship and a place on both leadership teams, you will shape modern services, make trusted data more accessible and turn insight into practical improvements for colleagues and those they serve. It is a role that combines strategic influence with tangible impact, helping both parts of the organisation make the most of new opportunities while providing the secure, reliable services they depend on every day. About the organisationsThe Bar Council represents and supports the barristers' profession through policy, training and membership services. The Bar Standards Board independently regulates barristers in the public interest. Their purposes are distinct, but both benefit from effective digital services and trusted information. About the roleAs a member of both senior leadership teams, you will help shape organisational priorities and connect them with the opportunities offered by digital, data and technology. Building trusted relationships across both organisations, you will bring a clear, practical vision and a shared understanding of how to deliver it. You will combine strong foundations with an ambitious, achievable programme of improvement. Working closely with colleagues, you will modernise core platforms, simplify processes and lead priorities including a new CRM, making services easier to use and more effective. Data will be central to your impact. By strengthening its quality, governance and accessibility, you will help colleagues turn information into insight, make confident decisions and free up time for higher-value work. For the Bar Council, this will also mean deepening understanding of what barristers value and helping develop a membership proposition and services that respond to their needs. Working in partnership with the transformation lead, you will lead the digital, data and technology contribution to the wider change programme. You will work with colleagues to align technology delivery with improvements in processes and ways of working, supporting adoption and translating investment into measurable improvements in efficiency and service quality. By empowering colleagues to do their best work, you will strengthen the team's role as a responsive, enabling partner to both organisations, delivering secure, reliable services and creating opportunities to make the most of digital, data and technology, including AI. You will be comfortable offering constructive challenge, building support for important decisions and turning ambition into results. What matters is the strength of your digital, data and technology leadership, the relationships you have built and the measurable outcomes you have personally delivered. Essential criteriaStrategic digital, data and technology leadership: A strong track record of leadership across digital, data and technology, shaping and delivering strategies that support organisational ambitions. Data and insight: Experience of improving how an organisation manages and uses its data, strengthening quality, governance and accessibility. Experience of understanding the needs of internal colleagues and external users, building trusted partnerships and shaping responsive services around those needs. Evidence of making digital services easier to use and improving the experience of those who rely on them. Sound judgement across enterprise platforms, architecture and cyber security, with experience of modernising core systems and maintaining secure, reliable services. Delivery and commercial judgement: Experience of delivering digital, data and technology programmes and projects, working with business colleagues and delivery partners to achieve agreed outcomes. Experience of leading, coaching and developing high-performing teams, creating a supportive culture that empowers colleagues and encourages continuous improvement. Legal-sector experience is not essential. We welcome candidates from membership organisations and other complex stakeholder environments who can bring relevant experience and fresh perspectives. To view the job description and person specification, please scroll to the bottom of the page, tick to agree to the privacy policy, then click 'Continue to full details'.LocationLondon - Hybrid, with an expectation of three days per week in the officeSectorRegulation & Professional Standards, ITClientThe Bar CouncilJob TypePermanentSalary/RemunerationUp to 150,000ReferenceGSe136556Closing Date9am on Monday 2 November 2026