At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead digital transformation and improve services for residents in a dynamic borough.
- Company: Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea, committed to community-focused innovation.
- Benefits: Opportunity to shape the future and make a real difference in residents' lives.
- Other info: Join a collaborative culture that values innovation and continuous improvement.
- Why this job: Be at the forefront of technology and public service, driving meaningful change.
- Qualifications: Proven experience in digital transformation and strong leadership skills required.
The predicted salary is between 75000 - 90000 £ per year.
Lead a new ICT service and digital transformation that improves services, strengthens resilience, and delivers better outcomes for residents. We’re all in for our residents, our communities, and each other. At the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea (RBKC), we are committed to becoming the best Council for the communities we serve. Guided by our values of integrity, respect, putting communities first, and working together, we deliver services across one of London’s most distinctive and diverse boroughs.
Home to globally recognised cultural institutions, internationally connected communities, and neighbourhoods of striking contrast and character, RBKC serves more than 150,000 residents across one of London’s most dynamic boroughs. In the wake of the Grenfell tragedy, our commitment to residents has only deepened. We continue to listen, learn, and drive meaningful change, ensuring residents remain at the centre of every decision we make. Technology, digital innovation, and data are central to our future. RBKC is delivering a significant programme of transformation, investing in modern infrastructure, cyber resilience, digital capability, and better use of data to create services that are more responsive, efficient, and focused on residents.
At RBKC, we want to use technology to improve the resident experience, modernise services, strengthen resilience, and free up resources for the services that matter most. As our Chief Information Officer, you will lead this agenda with strategic clarity, sound judgement, and a strong commitment to innovation, public service, and better outcomes across the borough. This is a rare opportunity to shape the future of a high-profile borough, lead meaningful transformation, and make a visible difference to residents, staff, and communities.
The Opportunity
Reporting to the Strategic Director of Grenfell Partnerships, Communities and Transformation, you will provide strategic leadership across the Council’s digital, data, and technology services, ensuring investment supports corporate priorities and delivers a clear benefit for residents. You will lead the delivery of RBKC’s Digital, Data and Technology Strategy, with oversight of IT operations, cyber security, enterprise architecture, digital transformation, and data governance across the organisation. This is a high-profile leadership role requiring credibility, sound judgement, and the ability to operate confidently in a politically sensitive environment. You will build trusted relationships with elected Members, Executive Directors, partners, suppliers, and residents, while communicating complex issues with authority and clarity. You will play a central role in shaping how the Council works in the future, using technology to improve services, strengthen resilience, and deliver lasting benefits for residents and staff. You will provide visible and inclusive leadership, inspiring multidisciplinary teams, embedding digital thinking across the organisation, and fostering a culture of innovation, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead the delivery of RBKC’s Digital, Data and Technology Strategy, aligning investment with corporate priorities, resident outcomes, and service improvement
- Provide strategic leadership across IT operations, cyber security, enterprise architecture, digital transformation, and data governance
- Work in close partnership with the Executive Leadership Team and elected Members to support the Council’s wider ambitions
- Oversee a complex supplier and contract landscape, ensuring value for money, strong governance, and effective risk management
- Champion the use of data and insight to support better decision-making across the organisation
- Lead and develop a multidisciplinary ICT function that delivers strong performance and continuous improvement
- Strengthen the Council’s cyber security posture and organisational resilience in response to an increasingly complex threat environment
- Foster a collaborative culture that supports excellent performance, innovation, and strong outcomes for residents
About You
You will be an accomplished technology leader with significant senior experience across digital, data, and technology functions within a complex organisation. You will bring a strong track record of leading organisation-wide digital transformation, alongside deep expertise in cyber security, IT operations, enterprise architecture, and data governance. You will combine strategic and operational leadership with the ability to influence at Executive Director and Member level, build trusted relationships, and translate complex technical issues into clear, accessible advice. Alongside technical credibility, you will bring a collaborative leadership style grounded in our values and a clear commitment to public service, continuous improvement, and better outcomes for residents. If you share our ambition to build an inclusive, innovative organisation that keeps residents at the centre, we would welcome your application.
Chief Information Officer employer: ROYAL BOROUGH OF KENSINGTON AND CHELSEA
At the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer dedicated to fostering a culture of integrity, respect, and community focus. As a Chief Information Officer, you will have the unique opportunity to lead transformative digital initiatives that directly enhance the lives of over 150,000 residents in one of London's most vibrant boroughs. Our commitment to employee growth, collaboration, and innovation ensures that you will thrive in a supportive environment while making a meaningful impact on public service.
Contact Details:
ROYAL BOROUGH OF KENSINGTON AND CHELSEA Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Chief Information Officer
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with people in the industry. Attend events, join online forums, and don’t be shy about reaching out to potential colleagues or mentors on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the organisation thoroughly. Understand their values, recent projects, and challenges they face. This will help you tailor your responses and show that you’re genuinely interested in making a difference at RBKC.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your pitch! Be ready to explain how your skills and experience align with the role of Chief Information Officer. Highlight your leadership style and how you can drive digital transformation while keeping residents at the heart of everything.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining us in our mission to improve services for our communities.
We think you need these skills to ace Chief Information Officer
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Public Service:When writing your application, let your passion for improving services and outcomes for residents shine through. We want to see how your values align with ours at RBKC, so share your commitment to public service and community engagement.
Be Clear and Concise:We appreciate clarity! Make sure your application is straightforward and to the point. Highlight your relevant experience in digital transformation and technology leadership without getting lost in jargon. Remember, we’re looking for someone who can communicate complex ideas simply.
Tailor Your Application:Don’t just send a generic application! Tailor it to reflect the specific responsibilities and values outlined in the job description. Show us how your skills in cyber security, data governance, and IT operations will directly benefit RBKC and our residents.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother process. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets the attention it deserves. Plus, you’ll find all the details you need about the role and our organisation there!
How to prepare for a job interview at ROYAL BOROUGH OF KENSINGTON AND CHELSEA
✨Understand the Council's Values
Before your interview, take some time to familiarise yourself with the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea's values: integrity, respect, and putting communities first. Be ready to discuss how your leadership style aligns with these values and how you can contribute to their mission of improving services for residents.
✨Showcase Your Digital Transformation Experience
Prepare specific examples from your past roles where you've successfully led digital transformation initiatives. Highlight how these experiences have improved service delivery and outcomes, particularly in complex environments. This will demonstrate your capability to lead RBKC’s Digital, Data and Technology Strategy effectively.
✨Communicate Clearly and Confidently
Given the politically sensitive nature of the role, practice articulating complex technical concepts in a clear and accessible manner. You might be asked to explain your approach to cyber security or data governance, so ensure you can convey your ideas confidently to both technical and non-technical stakeholders.
✨Emphasise Collaborative Leadership
RBKC values collaboration and innovation, so be prepared to discuss how you've fostered a culture of teamwork in previous roles. Share examples of how you've built trusted relationships with diverse teams and stakeholders, and how this has led to successful project outcomes and improved resident services.
