At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead digital transformation and data strategy across education and care sectors.
- Company: Department for Education, shaping the future of learning in the UK.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, impactful role, and opportunity to influence national policy.
- Other info: Join a dynamic team and help shape the future of education infrastructure.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in education by driving innovation and change.
- Qualifications: Proven experience in leading digital and data functions at scale.
The predicted salary is between 75000 - 117800 € per year.
As Director General for Digital and Infrastructure, you'll lead a major, multidisciplinary group bringing together digital, technology, data and analysis functions across the Department. This is a high-profile role where you'll shape strategy, influence policy and deliver large-scale transformation across a complex national system. You'll be responsible for ensuring digital, AI and data are at the heart of every major priority, not as a separate function, but as a core driver of outcomes. Alongside this, you'll lead the education estates function, helping transform how infrastructure is planned, funded and delivered using data-driven approaches. This is a role that operates at pace and scale, requiring strong leadership, strategic thinking and the ability to make high-stakes decisions that impact services nationwide.
What you'll be doing:
- Lead a transformational digital, AI and data strategy across education and care sectors
- Embed digital and data into every major departmental priority and programme
- Oversee a large DDaT function delivering user-centred, agile digital services
- Strengthen cyber resilience and security across systems and the wider sector
- Drive strategic data transformation, including building a powerful, connected data spine
- Enable better insight, services and decision-making through improved data use
- Lead delivery of major education infrastructure and capital programmes
- Transform how education estates are managed using data-driven approaches
- Work with senior stakeholders across government, education and industry
- Make high-impact decisions balancing risk, safety, and delivery at scale
Strong experience in:
- Leading large-scale digital, data and AI functions
- Delivering transformation programmes across complex organisations or systems
- Setting strategy that drives measurable improvements in outcomes
Experience of:
- Embedding digital and data into core organisational strategy and policy
- Influencing at the most senior levels across government or large organisations
- Leading high-performing teams through change at scale
You’ll also bring:
- Strong leadership and the ability to inspire and motivate large teams
- Excellent judgement in managing risk, complexity and competing priorities
- A strategic mindset with the ability to operate at pace
Director General (Digital and Infrastructure) - Department for Education employer: Government Digital & Data
The Department for Education is an exceptional employer, offering a unique opportunity to lead transformative digital and infrastructure initiatives that shape the future of education across the UK. With a strong commitment to employee development, a collaborative work culture, and the chance to influence national policy, this role provides meaningful engagement in a dynamic environment. Located in London, employees benefit from a vibrant city life while contributing to impactful projects that drive real change in the education sector.
Contact Detail:
Government Digital & Data Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Director General (Digital and Infrastructure) - Department for Education
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Connect with people in the education and tech sectors on LinkedIn. Join relevant groups and engage in discussions to showcase your expertise and passion for digital transformation.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the Department for Education's current digital initiatives. Be ready to discuss how your experience aligns with their goals, especially around data-driven decision-making and infrastructure management.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your leadership skills! During interviews, share specific examples of how you've led teams through change and delivered successful transformation programmes. Highlight your ability to inspire and motivate others.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive about their job search!
We think you need these skills to ace Director General (Digital and Infrastructure) - Department for Education
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter to highlight your experience in leading digital and data strategies. We want to see how your background aligns with the role of Director General, so don’t hold back on showcasing relevant achievements!
Showcase Leadership Skills:This role is all about strong leadership, so be sure to include examples of how you've inspired and motivated teams in the past. We love seeing candidates who can demonstrate their ability to lead through change and deliver results at scale.
Highlight Strategic Thinking:We’re looking for someone with a strategic mindset, so make sure to emphasise your experience in setting and executing strategies that drive measurable improvements. Use specific examples to illustrate how you’ve influenced policy and shaped outcomes in previous roles.
Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way for us to keep track of your application and ensure it gets the attention it deserves. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Government Digital & Data
✨Know Your Digital and Data Strategy
Make sure you have a solid understanding of how digital, AI, and data can drive transformation in education. Be ready to discuss specific examples of how you've successfully implemented similar strategies in the past.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare to share experiences where you've led large teams through change. Highlight your ability to inspire and motivate others, especially in high-stakes situations, as this role requires strong leadership.
✨Understand Stakeholder Engagement
Familiarise yourself with the key stakeholders in the education sector and be prepared to discuss how you've influenced senior leaders in previous roles. This will demonstrate your ability to navigate complex organisational structures.
✨Be Ready for High-Stakes Decision-Making
Think about scenarios where you've had to make tough decisions balancing risk and delivery. Be prepared to articulate your thought process and the outcomes of those decisions, as this role demands excellent judgement.
