At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and oversee major government digital services, ensuring effective governance and performance insights.
- Company: Join the Government Digital Service, the digital heart of the UK government.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, flexible working, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Collaborative environment with a focus on continuous improvement and innovation.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on national digital challenges and improve public services for millions.
- Qualifications: Experience in managing complex digital portfolios and strong stakeholder leadership skills.
Location: Bristol, London, Manchester
The Government Digital Service (GDS) is the digital centre of government. We are responsible for setting, leading and delivering the vision for a modern digital government. Our priorities are to drive a modern digital government by:
- joining up public sector services
- harnessing the power of AI for the public good
- strengthening and extending our digital and data public infrastructure
- elevating leadership and investing in talent
- funding for outcomes and procuring for growth and innovation
- committing to transparency and driving accountability
We are home to the Incubator for Artificial Intelligence (I.AI), the world-leading GOV.UK and at the forefront of coordinating the UK's geospatial strategy and activity. We lead the Government Digital and Data function and champion the work of digital teams across government.
The Government Digital Service is where talent translates into impact. From your first day, you'll be working with some of the world's most highly-skilled digital professionals, all contributing their knowledge to make change on a national scale. Join us for rewarding work that makes a difference across the UK. You'll solve some of the nation's highest-priority digital challenges, helping millions of people access services they need.
The Head of Digital Service Portfolio leads the oversight, assurance and performance insight of major government digital services. The role ensures leaders have the right information and governance to make informed decisions and deliver the best outcomes for users and government. It provides a system-wide view of service health, transformation progress, risks and opportunities, ensuring the portfolio is effectively governed, prioritised and meeting organisational needs.
In this role you will:
- lead the performance tracking, assessment, and assurance of government digital services
- own portfolio prioritisation, sequencing and trade-offs, balancing risk, user outcomes, funding and delivery capacity across government services
- ensure effective governance and assurance processes are in place for digital services across government
- monitor service health, delivery performance, user outcomes and transformation progress, to provide cross-government insights on service health, risks and opportunities
- provide strategic insight to senior leaders
- identify, manage and escalate portfolio-level risks, issues, dependencies and opportunities for intervention, including opportunities and risks posed by AI enabled services
- translate service performance data and delivery insights into recommendations that support prioritisation, investment and funding decisions
- provide a cross-government view of service health, future risks and opportunities to support strategic planning and decision-making
- work with departments and delivery teams to improve services, adopt best practice and deliver against agreed outcomes and service standards
- facilitate governance and assurance discussions in complex, high-risk and politically sensitive environments
- act as a trusted advisor to senior leaders on service performance, delivery and transformation
- foster a culture of continuous improvement, collaboration and accountability across the service portfolio
- own and continuously improve the digital service portfolio function, building team capability and ensuring consistent, high-quality governance, assurance and insight across government
We're interested in people who:
- have substantial experience owning and operating a complex digital portfolio within an agile environment, utilising agile methodologies and iterating quickly to ensure delivery outcomes are aligned to organisational priorities
- demonstrate strong expertise in designing and implementing portfolio governance and assurance, and improving the performance of digital services
- be able to provide clear, compelling insight and recommendations to senior leaders, enabling strategic decisions about the future of the portfolio and providing guidance to others on working in the strategic context
- demonstrate expertise in planning, with the ability to identify, manage and escalate risks and dependencies across a portfolio, understanding the environment to prioritise the most important or high value tasks
- demonstrate excellent stakeholder leadership, including influencing and negotiating with senior stakeholders to resolve issues and enable progress
- show a track record of building and supporting a professional community, including coaching, line management and developing capability
Head of Digital Service Portfolio - Government Digital Service - G6 employer: Government Digital & Data
The Government Digital Service (GDS) is an exceptional employer, offering a unique opportunity to work at the forefront of digital transformation within the UK government. With hubs in Bristol, London, and Manchester, GDS fosters a collaborative and innovative work culture that prioritises employee growth and development, ensuring that you will be part of a team dedicated to making a meaningful impact on public services. Join us to tackle some of the nation's most pressing digital challenges while benefiting from a supportive environment that champions transparency, accountability, and continuous improvement.
Contact Details:
Government Digital & Data Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Digital Service Portfolio - Government Digital Service - G6
✨Dive into Local Government Events
Get yourself to local government events and public sector job fairs. These are great for meeting recruiters and understanding what different organisations, like Government Digital & Data, are looking for. Plus, it shows your genuine interest in the sector!
✨Join Relevant Networks
Look for communities focused on public sector careers. Whether it’s local networking groups or online forums, connecting with professionals in the field can provide insider knowledge and opportunities that you won’t find on typical job boards.
✨Utilise Your University’s Resources
If you’re freshly graduated or still studying, make the most of your university's careers service. They often have exclusive partnerships with companies like Government Digital & Data and can help you get your foot in the door for these full-time public sector roles.
✨Stay Updated with Government Initiatives
Keep your finger on the pulse regarding new government projects and policies. Understanding current initiatives can give you a leg up in interviews, showing that you are informed and genuinely interested in making a difference in the public sector.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Digital Service Portfolio - Government Digital Service - G6
Some tips for your application 🫡
Highlight Relevant Experience:In the public sector, having experience in community engagement, policy analysis, or project management stands out. Make sure to showcase any previous roles or volunteer work that reflects your understanding of public service values and how they've shaped your career path.
Showcase Your Knowledge of the Sector:When you’re applying for a government role, it’s crucial to demonstrate your understanding of the current political landscape and public policies. Consider including articles you've written or relevant projects that underline your capability to engage with these concepts effectively.
Tailor Your CV to Reflect Core Competencies:Government positions often require a clear demonstration of competencies such as communication, teamwork, and problem-solving. Try to structure your CV to highlight these skills, using specific examples of how you’ve applied them in past experiences, ideally with quantifiable outcomes where possible.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to tell your story and convey your passion for public service. Discuss why you want to work for Government Digital & Data and how your values align with their mission. Be genuine and let your enthusiasm shine through—this can really set you apart from other candidates.
How to prepare for a job interview at Government Digital & Data
✨Get to Know Public Sector Values
Before your interview with Government Digital & Data, dig deep into their mission and values, especially how they align with public service and community impact. Understand the key policies or initiatives they are involved in – you’ll want to show that you genuinely care about serving the community.
✨Brush Up on Regulatory Knowledge
Brush up on the regulations, laws, and compliance standards relevant to the role you’re applying for. Since this is the government and public sector, they might throw technical questions related to policy frameworks or project management best practices that you'll need to navigate day-to-day.
✨Highlight Teamwork and Collaboration
The government sector thrives on collaboration. Be ready to discuss how you've successfully worked in diverse teams or involved stakeholders in your projects. Show us how you bring people together to get a common goal achieved – that's what public service is all about!
✨Prepare Real-Life Examples
Craft a few STAR (Situation, Task, Action, Result) stories that demonstrate your experience in similar roles. Whether it’s a project that made a difference in the community or a challenging situation you managed, be ready to express how your skills and experiences make you a valuable asset for Government Digital & Data.
