At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the Digital, Data and Technology workstream for Scotland's education reform programme.
- Company: Join a dynamic public sector team driving impactful change.
- Benefits: Flexible working, competitive salary, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Hybrid working environment with a focus on innovation and collaboration.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in education while developing your leadership skills.
- Qualifications: Experience in managing complex programmes and leading multidisciplinary teams.
The predicted salary is between 55000 - 65000 € per year.
This role leads the Digital, Data and Technology (DDaT) workstream within a major statutory programme delivering reform to Scotland's tertiary education and training system. The postholder is responsible for planning, governance and delivery of all technology, data, systems and digital service elements required to support the transfer of apprenticeship funding responsibilities from one public body to another, ensuring full operational readiness by April 2027.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead delivery of the DDaT workstream, owning plans, milestones, dependencies and budget.
- Establish and maintain effective governance, reporting into programme and senior leadership forums.
- Manage dependencies across multiple workstreams, ensuring alignment on sequencing, risks and delivery timelines.
- Coordinate DDaT input to Transitional Services Agreement negotiations, protecting organisational interests in service levels, access and exit provisions.
- Oversee Day 1 operational readiness, including:
- Managed service arrangements for apprenticeship funding and payments systems.
- Data migration and continuity across multiple external system integrations.
- Establishment of internal capability to oversee and assure transferred services.
- Manage risks, issues and dependencies, escalating where intervention is required.
- Lead and develop a small DDaT PMO team, ensuring effective business analysis, requirements definition and prioritisation.
- Coordinate activity across internal digital, data, cloud and delivery teams, balancing programme and BAU demands.
- Manage external advisory and consultancy inputs to ensure value, alignment and avoidance of duplication.
- Produce clear programme reporting for senior leadership, boards and parliamentary accountability.
- Support benefits identification and tracking, ensuring measurable improvements in digital and data capability.
Essential Skills, Knowledge and Experience
- Leading complex programmes involving organisational change, service transition or operational separation.
- Managing delivery across multiple organisations with significant interdependencies.
- Strong programme governance, including planning, risk management, financial control and senior reporting.
- Oversight of managed services, outsourced delivery or transitional service arrangements.
- Leading multidisciplinary teams and coordinating work across specialists without direct line management.
- Communicating complex technical and programme information to non-technical audiences.
- Managing competing priorities within fixed statutory or regulatory deadlines.
- Understanding digital, data and technology operating models in a public-sector context.
Desirable Skills
- Experience of TUPE or workforce transition programmes.
- Familiarity with enterprise platforms such as Microsoft Power Platform or Dynamics 365 (oversight level).
- Experience working within the Scottish public sector.
- Programme management qualification (e.g. MSP, PRINCE2 Practitioner or equivalent).
DDaT Programme Manager in Edinburgh employer: Harvey Nash
As a leading employer in the public sector, we offer a dynamic and supportive work environment that prioritises employee growth and development. Our hybrid working model allows for flexibility, while our commitment to meaningful reform in Scotland's tertiary education system ensures that your contributions will have a lasting impact. Join us to be part of a collaborative team dedicated to driving innovation in digital, data, and technology.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land DDaT Programme Manager in Edinburgh
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to folks in your industry on LinkedIn or at events. We all know that sometimes it’s not just what you know, but who you know that can help you land that DDaT Programme Manager role.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by practising common questions related to programme management and digital transformation. We suggest doing mock interviews with friends or using online platforms to get comfortable with articulating your experience.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your skills through real-life examples. When discussing your experience, focus on specific projects where you led complex programmes or managed interdependencies. We want to see how you’ve made an impact!
✨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, we love seeing candidates who are proactive about their job search.
We think you need these skills to ace DDaT Programme Manager in Edinburgh
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter to highlight your experience with complex programmes and organisational change. We want to see how your skills align with the DDaT role, so don’t hold back on showcasing relevant projects!
Showcase Your Governance Skills:Since strong programme governance is key for this role, be sure to include examples of your planning, risk management, and financial control experience. We love seeing how you’ve successfully navigated challenges in past roles!
Communicate Clearly:Remember, you’ll need to communicate complex information to non-technical audiences. Use clear and concise language in your application to demonstrate your ability to simplify technical jargon. We appreciate straightforward communication!
Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for the role. We can’t wait to see what you bring to the table!
How to prepare for a job interview at Harvey Nash
✨Know Your DDaT Inside Out
Make sure you understand the Digital, Data and Technology landscape thoroughly. Familiarise yourself with the specific technologies and systems mentioned in the job description, like Microsoft Power Platform or Dynamics 365. This will help you speak confidently about how your experience aligns with the role.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples that highlight your experience in leading complex programmes and managing multidisciplinary teams. Be ready to discuss how you've successfully navigated organisational change and service transitions in the past, as this is crucial for the role.
✨Master the Art of Communication
Since you'll be communicating complex technical information to non-technical audiences, practice explaining your past projects in simple terms. Think about how you can convey your ideas clearly and effectively, ensuring everyone understands your points.
✨Be Ready for Scenario Questions
Expect questions that assess your problem-solving skills and ability to manage competing priorities. Prepare scenarios where you've had to deal with risks or dependencies across multiple workstreams, and explain how you handled them to ensure successful delivery.
