Digital Transformation Lead

Hackney is one of the most dynamic and progressive local authorities in the UK. We are a resilient, vibrant, and creative borough in the heart of London, with strong, diverse communities and a powerful set of shared values. Over the past twenty years, the Council has built up first-class services, outstanding public infrastructure, and a reputation for excellence, innovation, and ambition. We are leading the way on essential work such as our fight for equity in Hackney with a particular focus on becoming an actively anti-racist borough. But the work doesn’t stop there; we are proactive in our approach to bringing fairness to all aspects of life including gender, neurodiversity and across the poverty divide.

Hackney Council is looking for an experienced and ambitious Digital Transformation Lead to provide strategic leadership across our enterprise-wide digital transformation portfolio. This is a key senior leadership role responsible for translating the Council’s strategic priorities into complex programmes of change that deliver measurable improvements in resident and customer experience, service performance, organisational productivity and financial sustainability.

Reporting to the Assistant Director, ICT, Customer Services, Digital & Data, you will lead multidisciplinary teams spanning digital product management, delivery management, transformation management, service design, business analysis and programme management. You will work closely with Corporate Directors, Directors, Heads of Service and elected Members to shape and deliver major transformation programmes, redesign services and operating models, and ensure the Council makes effective use of digital technology, data, automation, artificial intelligence and emerging technologies.

You will provide strong portfolio leadership and governance, ensuring programmes maintain pace, manage risk effectively and deliver clearly defined financial and non-financial benefits. As a member of the ICT, Digital and Customer Services Senior Leadership Team, you will also play an important role in shaping wider organisational priorities and building Hackney’s long-term transformation capability.

You will be an experienced senior transformation leader with a strong track record of delivering complex digital and organisational change within a large and complex organisation. You will have experience of:

• Leading major digital and organisational transformation programmes and complex portfolios.
• Translating strategic priorities into deliverable programmes with clear outcomes, milestones and accountabilities.
• Delivering measurable improvements in customer experience, service performance, productivity, efficiencies and financial outcomes.
• Leading service redesign, operating model change and wider organisational transformation.
• Managing significant programme and portfolio budgets, developing robust business cases and delivering value for money.
• Establishing effective governance, risk management, assurance and benefits realisation arrangements.
• Leading and developing high-performing multidisciplinary teams.
• Building trusted relationships with senior leaders and influencing effectively in complex and politically sensitive environments.
• Managing strategic suppliers, external delivery partners and commercial relationships.
• Using digital technology, data, automation, artificial intelligence and emerging technologies to improve organisational outcomes.

You will combine strategic thinking with a strong focus on delivery and be comfortable providing constructive challenge, making decisions in complex environments and intervening where delivery is at risk. Knowledge of local government and the political environment would be highly valuable, alongside an understanding of local government finance and medium-term financial planning.

Hackney Council works to eradicate discrimination on the basis of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex and sexual orientation. We are committed to equality, diversity and inclusion and welcome applications from all sections of the community. We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expect all staff to share this commitment.

As a Council, our most outstanding asset is our staff, who are highly dedicated to serving our residents and committed to our goals as an organisation.

Closing date for applications: 31 August 2026 (22.59) Interview date: TBC

We are also working towards our vision, which is to be a place for everyone; where residents and staff can be proud; a place that celebrates diversity and where everyone can feel valued, included and involved. In order to achieve this, we look for people who are: Proud; Ambitious; Pioneering; Open; Proactive; Inclusive.

We also recognise that people can be disadvantaged by their social and economic circumstances, so we will also work to eliminate discrimination and disadvantage caused by social class. We also welcome those interested in flexible working. We particularly welcome applications from disabled people, as this group is currently under represented in our workforce.

The Council has a dedicated employment support service (Hackney Works), which offers Hackney residents guidance in relation to applying for jobs. If you are thinking about applying for a job, please contact the Hackney Works team to find out what support is available: hackneyworks@hackney.gov.uk