At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead digital transformation and customer delivery for a modern, sustainable council.
- Company: Dorset Council, committed to innovation and community improvement.
- Benefits: Generous salary, relocation package, and commitment to diversity and inclusion.
- Other info: Join a supportive team dedicated to creating a better Dorset for all.
- Why this job: Shape the future of local government and make a real impact in your community.
- Qualifications: Proven experience in digital strategy and transformation leadership.
The predicted salary is between 141863 - 159335 £ per year.
About the role
Dorset is a place that rewards the curious and frustrates anyone who thinks running a modern council is simple. We’re working hard to become a genuinely modern, sustainable unitary council, one where technology, data and customer experience aren’t afterthoughts, but the infrastructure that holds everything together. This role is how we get there. You’ll be joining the Senior Leadership Team, reporting directly to the Chief Executive. Your directorate is around 550 colleagues across Customer Experience, Technology, Digital and Data, Libraries, Revenues and Benefits, and the Transformation Management Office. The portfolio is broad and the work is real – this isn’t a strategy role that floats above delivery. You’ll be accountable for both.
What you’ll be doing
- You’ll lead the council’s digital and data strategy from the front – setting direction, driving delivery and making sure investment decisions are grounded in actual user need rather than aspiration.
- Setting and delivering a modern, resilient digital strategy built around outcomes for residents.
- Leading major transformation programmes with proper governance, honest benefits tracking and clear accountability.
- Acting as the council’s senior accountable officer for cyber security and information governance.
- Championing user-centred design and making sure our services work for everyone, not just the easy‑to‑reach.
- Building digital confidence and practical capability across the workforce – including frontline teams who might not naturally identify as digital.
- Representing Dorset at regional and national level in conversations about what modern public services should look like.
- Overseeing significant technology and transformation budgets with real financial discipline.
About you
- You’ve done this before, or something close enough that you know where the hard bits are.
- You understand that technology is an enabler, not the point – and you know how to bring people with you when the change feels uncomfortable.
- You’ll also bring a track record of shaping and delivering digital strategy at scale, across multiple service areas.
- Expertise in data governance, interoperability and joined‑up intelligence across partner organisations.
- Hands‑on experience embedding agile delivery, product management and service design in practice – not just on slides.
- The political awareness to advise elected members and a Chief Executive with confidence and honesty.
- A genuine interest in improving outcomes for communities, not just modernising systems for their own sake.
Why this role, why now
Dorset Council has a clear direction – to become a modern, sustainable unitary council – and the investment and leadership commitment to back it. This role sits at the heart of that. You won’t be implementing someone else’s plan; you’ll be shaping what good looks like. If you want to lead one of the most significant transformation programmes in local government, in a county worth fighting for, we’d love to hear from you.
Further Information
If you’d like an informal conversation with the Chief Executive, Catherine Howe, please contact Jennifer Prince, Senior Executive Assistant, jennifer.prince@dorsetcouncil.gov.uk or 01305 221 394 and we’ll get that arranged.
We offer a generous relocation package of up to £8,000 (of HMRC eligible elements) free of tax, including an initial advance of up to £2,500 on your start date, help towards buying or selling costs (up to £6,500), and support towards rent or mortgage costs in your first two years.
About Us
Dorset is a place of genuine beauty and strong communities. Our vision is straightforward: working together to create a fairer, more prosperous and more sustainable Dorset for people now and in the future. We’re looking for leaders who share that ambition and have the capability to turn it into something real. We’re actively working to become a more diverse and inclusive organisation, and we know that bringing in people with different perspectives and backgrounds makes us better. We welcome applications from everyone.
Disability Confident Employer
We’re a Disability Confident Employer. We offer an interview to everyone who declares a disability and meets the essential criteria for the role, and we’re committed to making our interviews accessible. Let us know on your application if you need any reasonable adjustments.
Executive Director, Digital Transformation & Customer Delivery in Dorchester employer: Kirklees Metropolitan Council
Dorset Council is an exceptional employer that champions innovation and community engagement, offering a unique opportunity to lead transformative digital initiatives in a picturesque location. With a commitment to employee growth, a generous relocation package, and a focus on diversity and inclusion, we foster a collaborative work culture where your contributions directly impact the lives of residents. Join us in shaping a modern, sustainable council that values technology as a means to enhance public services and community outcomes.
Contact Details:
Kirklees Metropolitan Council Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Executive Director, Digital Transformation & Customer Delivery in Dorchester
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in your industry, especially those already working at Dorset Council. A friendly chat can give you insider info and might just lead to a recommendation.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by understanding the council's digital strategy and how it impacts residents. Show us you’re not just about tech but also about improving community outcomes.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your storytelling skills. We want to hear about your past experiences in leading transformation programmes and how you tackled challenges. Make it relatable and engaging!
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets the attention it deserves. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive.
We think you need these skills to ace Executive Director, Digital Transformation & Customer Delivery in Dorchester
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Digital Transformation:When writing your application, let your enthusiasm for digital transformation shine through. We want to see how you can lead the charge in modernising services and improving outcomes for our communities.
Be Specific About Your Experience:Don’t just list your previous roles; tell us about the specific projects you've led that relate to digital strategy and transformation. We’re looking for real examples of how you’ve tackled challenges and delivered results.
Highlight Your Leadership Style:We value leaders who can bring people along on the journey. Share how you’ve engaged teams and stakeholders in past transformations, especially when the going got tough. We want to know how you inspire and motivate others.
Tailor Your Application to Us:Make sure your application speaks directly to the role and our vision at Dorset Council. Use the job description as a guide to align your skills and experiences with what we’re looking for. And remember, apply through our website!
How to prepare for a job interview at Kirklees Metropolitan Council
✨Know Your Digital Strategy Inside Out
Make sure you’re well-versed in the latest trends and best practices in digital transformation. Be ready to discuss how you would set and deliver a modern digital strategy that focuses on real outcomes for residents, not just theoretical ideas.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Experience
Prepare examples from your past roles where you’ve led significant transformation programmes. Highlight your ability to drive delivery with proper governance and accountability, as this is crucial for the role.
✨Emphasise User-Centred Design
Be prepared to discuss how you champion user-centred design in your previous projects. Share specific instances where you ensured services were accessible and effective for all users, especially those who might be harder to reach.
✨Demonstrate Financial Discipline
Since overseeing significant technology budgets is part of the role, come equipped with examples of how you’ve managed budgets effectively in the past. Discuss your approach to ensuring financial discipline while still achieving ambitious goals.
