Associate Director, Data Production and Supply

We are pleased to bring to the market the role of Associate Director, National Capability Data Production and Supply at the Met Office. As our Associate Director, you will lead the development and operations of our computing platforms and data services that are fundamental for weather and climate science, helping the Met Office realise the full potential of Supercomputing and AI in weather and climate prediction. Based in Exeter, you will lead the development and operations of the underpinning technology that enables our products and services through geospatial big data and supercomputing.

As one of the world's leading weather and climate organisations, the Met Office is a world leading scientific institution with a global reputation for excellence in weather and climate science and services. Our work supports everything from daily life and travel, to defence, agriculture, energy and emergency response.

Your world of expertise includes:

• 24/7 operational delivery of numerical weather prediction (and other) data and supply of that data to our Products and Services Domain.
• Production of operational climate data.
• Monitoring, managing and lifecycle of the technical and IT delivery systems.

The Met Office is fundamentally dependent on its National Capability operations to ensure continued delivery of 24/7 services to customers and stakeholders, helping them make better decisions to stay safe and thrive. You will report to our Director of National Capability Operations and lead a team of approximately 100 staff.

Key responsibilities include:

• Leading the development and operations of our platform and data services, including lifecycle management of the technology.
• Providing direction to advance our National Capability Data Production and Supply capability.
• Balancing the deployment of skills and expertise to meet organisational objectives, managing risks that threaten service delivery including cyber security.
• Ensuring behaviours and processes at an organisational level remain fit for purpose to meet customer commitments.
• Working with the Chief Digital Information Officer (CDIO) to successfully deliver changes arising from the new supercomputing service.
• Supporting the delivery of strategy for the whole Met Office as an active member of the National Capability Leadership Team.

Our work is life-changing, often life-saving and always life-enhancing. The Met Office is accredited as a 'Great Place to Work UK' and has achieved a place on both the UK's 'Best Workplaces in Tech' and 'Best Workplaces for Women' lists.

Your total reward package is potentially worth in the range of £103,591 annually, which includes:

• Base pay in the range of £74,856 to £82,084.
• A discretionary performance related bonus.
• Annual Leave days (plus Bank Holidays) rising to 32.5 days (plus Bank Holidays) after 5 years and option to buy or sell up to 5 days per year of annual leave.
• A relocation package is available.

Essential Criteria, skills and experience:

• Professional qualification or chartered accreditation in technology or equivalent relevant experience.
• Experience of leading large technology teams (30+) to achieve or exceed operational service KPIs and development milestones.
• Financial literacy - proven track record of managing a significant budget (£1 million+) within agreed limits.
• A proven track record of leading critical and complex business and IT change at scale, ideally involving multiple vendors.
• Ability to balance people, technical, financial and timely delivery risks in the development and operations of resilient IT services.

To apply, follow the steps below which will include a Supporting Statement for you to evidence your experience and skills against each of the essential criteria. Closing date Monday 6th April at 23:59. Shortlisted candidates will be invited to an interview which will take place on 28th April 2026.

If you share our values, we would love to hear from you. Apply using your CV and a Cover Letter/Supporting Statement with evidence against each of the essential criteria. We recommend candidates use the CARL method (Context, Action, Result and Learning) for presenting evidence of experience and skills.

We understand that great minds don’t always think alike and as an equal opportunities employer we welcome applications from those with all protected characteristics. We recruit on merit, fairness, and open competition in line with the Civil Service Code.

We can only accept applications from those eligible to live and work in the UK. We require Security clearance, for which you need to have resided in the UK for at least 3 of the last 5 years to be eligible, 2 of these years must be immediately preceding the point of your application. You will need to achieve full security clearance within your first 6 months with us.