Chief Digital and Information Officer - National Crime Agency - SCS2 in London

You can be based in London, Bristol, Birmingham or Warrington – however, this role will require frequent attendance at our London offices so you will need to be prepared to spend time there. Your contractual place of work will be Endeavour Square, Stratford.

About the job

We are seeking an outstanding digital and technology leader to join the NCA Executive team as Chief Digital and Information Officer. This is a pivotal role responsible for shaping and delivering the Agency’s digital and data transformation, ensuring our people have the tools, platforms and insight needed to stay ahead of evolving criminal threats. You will be responsible for delivering complex digital, data and technology capabilities, driving innovation across analytics, engineering, cyber operations support, cloud transformation, enterprise IT, and core data capabilities. This is a unique and career-defining opportunity for a visionary leader who wants to make a profound impact on national security.

Key responsibilities:

• Define and lead digital, data and technology strategies that protect the public from serious and organised crime, working in partnership with NCA Director Transformation, law enforcement, national security and Home Office partners to expand and improve the NCA's use of technology and data.
• Enable the use of innovative approaches, artificial intelligence and emerging technologies whilst ensuring inclusivity, security and ethical practices.
• Oversee the delivery, management and maintenance of sustainable and highly available digital solutions that meet strategic goals and user needs.
• Ensure data and technology architecture decisions support scalability, reusability and interoperability with law enforcement, national security and Home Office partners.
• Ensure the NCA remains safe, secure and resilient to cyber threats and attacks by working closely with operational Commands and Security teams.
• Negotiate and secure multi-year investment for digital, data and technology and advise on investment priorities to maximise benefits and outcomes.
• Set the digital, data and technology sourcing strategy and lead a diverse set of technology suppliers to deliver value and accelerate the delivery of the technology strategy.
• Provide leadership, guidance, and support to the digital, data and technology teams and wider agency, setting clear expectations, mentoring team members, and fostering a positive and collaborative work environment.
• Be a trusted advisor to the board on all matters of digital, data and technology and contribute to the overall leadership of the NCA through membership of the Executive Committee, championing diversity and inclusion and other cross organisational responsibilities.
• Lead a diverse team of around 330 permanent digital, technology and data professionals to deliver against challenging requirements.
• Direct responsibility for an annual budget of c£100M. Shared responsibility for technology elements of transformation programmes.

Person specification

The role holder will be an inspirational and supportive leader with significant experience of delivering digital, data and technology capabilities at an enterprise level. In your application you will need to demonstrate evidence against the below essential criteria:

• We ask that you write a statement of suitability of no more than two pages, A4 font Bahnschrift 11, using examples to explain how your skills and experience meet the essential criteria.
• Demonstrable experience of developing and executing enterprise level digital, data and technology strategies that shape organisational direction, embed digital and data thinking into corporate decision making, and align technology investment with organisational priorities and emerging societal, technological and data trends.
• Demonstrated experience in leading large-scale, performance-driven transformation initiatives, including the full lifecycle delivery of digital products, platforms and services.
• Proven ability to work collaboratively across the organisation to diagnose challenges, establish clear priorities, design and implement coherent roadmaps, and achieve measurable improvements in operational efficiency and effectiveness.
• Accountability for the resilience, security and sustainability of digital, data and technology services, including oversight of complex IT and data estates, effective technology and data architecture, and the proactive management of operational and supply chain risks, supported by appropriate levels of investment.
• Strong financial and commercial leadership, including ownership and optimisation of significant digital, data and technology budgets; defining appropriate sourcing strategies; and working with Commercial colleagues to ensure contracts and suppliers deliver value for money, resilience and strategic outcomes.
• Experience of building sustainable digital, data and technology capability, ensuring access to critical specialist skills and developing talent at all levels, while demonstrating inclusive leadership that embeds Equality, Diversity and Inclusion into ways of working and fosters a culture of trust, psychological safety and high performance.
• A strong track record of engaging, communicating and building effective partnerships with senior stakeholders across government, arm’s length bodies and the private sector, using credibility and influence to align diverse interests and deliver shared outcomes.