At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead digital transformation and customer delivery for a modern council.
- Company: Dorset Council, committed to sustainability and community improvement.
- Benefits: Generous salary, relocation package, and a focus on diversity and inclusion.
- Other info: Join a supportive team dedicated to making a real impact.
- Why this job: Shape the future of public services in a beautiful county.
- Qualifications: Experience in digital strategy, data governance, and agile delivery.
The predicted salary is between 141863 - 159335 £ per year.
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, 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.
Company: Dorset Council
Salary: £141,863 – £159,335
Location: Dorchester, Dorset
Sector: Corporate Services, Corporate Management Team, IT
Executive Director – Modernisation & 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 culture that values diversity and inclusion, you will be part of a forward-thinking team dedicated to making a real impact on residents' lives. Join us in shaping the future of public services while enjoying the beauty and strong community spirit of Dorset.
Contact Details:
Kirklees Metropolitan Council Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Executive Director – Modernisation & Customer Delivery in Dorchester
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in your industry, especially those connected to Dorset Council. Attend events, join online forums, and don’t be shy about asking for informational chats. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the council’s current projects and challenges. Show that you’re not just interested in the role but also in how you can contribute to their mission of modernisation and customer delivery. Tailor your examples to demonstrate your relevant experience.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your pitch! Be ready to explain how your background aligns with leading digital strategies and transformation programmes. Keep it concise and impactful – you want to leave them wanting to know more about you!
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining the team at Dorset Council and contributing to their vision for a sustainable future.
We think you need these skills to ace Executive Director – Modernisation & Customer Delivery in Dorchester
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Modernisation:When writing your application, let your enthusiasm for modernising public services shine through. We want to see how you can contribute to our vision of a sustainable and tech-savvy council, so share your ideas on how to make a real impact!
Be Specific About Your Experience:We’re looking for someone with a solid track record in digital strategy and transformation. Make sure to highlight specific projects you've led or been part of, especially those that demonstrate your ability to drive change and deliver results.
Emphasise User-Centred Design:User experience is key in this role. In your application, discuss how you've championed user-centred design in past projects. We want to know how you’ve ensured services are accessible and beneficial for everyone, not just the easy-to-reach.
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 this exciting opportunity. We can’t wait to hear from you!
How to prepare for a job interview at Kirklees Metropolitan Council
✨Know Your Digital Strategy
Make sure you have a solid understanding of digital strategies and how they can be applied in a council setting. Be prepared to discuss your previous experiences in shaping and delivering digital strategies, especially those that focus on user needs and outcomes.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
As you'll be part of the Senior Leadership Team, it's crucial to demonstrate your leadership capabilities. Share examples of how you've led transformation programmes, managed teams, and navigated challenges while ensuring accountability and governance.
✨Understand the Importance of Data Governance
Familiarise yourself with data governance principles and how they apply to public services. Be ready to discuss your hands-on experience with data interoperability and how you've ensured joined-up intelligence across different service areas.
✨Emphasise Community Outcomes
Dorset Council is focused on improving community outcomes, so highlight your genuine interest in making a difference. Prepare to talk about how you've previously prioritised user-centred design and built digital confidence among diverse teams.
