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 service.
- Benefits: Opportunity to shape the future, competitive salary, and impactful work.
- Other info: Join a collaborative culture focused on continuous improvement and public service.
- Why this job: Make a visible difference in residents' lives through innovative technology leadership.
- Qualifications: Senior experience in digital transformation, cyber security, and data governance.
The predicted salary is between 80000 - 100000 £ 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 in London 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. Our commitment to innovation and digital transformation not only enhances the services we provide to over 150,000 residents but also offers our employees unique opportunities for professional growth and meaningful impact in one of London's most vibrant boroughs. Join us in shaping the future of public service, where your leadership will drive positive change and strengthen our community's resilience.
Contact Details:
ROYAL BOROUGH OF KENSINGTON AND CHELSEA Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Chief Information Officer in London
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in your industry, attend events, and connect with others on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the organisation and its values. Understand their mission and how your skills align with their goals. This will help you stand out as someone who truly cares about making a difference.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your pitch! Be ready to explain how your experience and vision can lead to better outcomes for residents. Keep it concise and impactful, showing that you’re the right fit for the role.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive and engaged with our mission.
We think you need these skills to ace Chief Information Officer in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Public Service:When writing your application, let your passion for serving the community shine through. We want to see how your values align with ours and how you can contribute to making a real difference for residents.
Be Clear and Concise:Keep your application straightforward and to the point. Use clear language to explain your experience and how it relates to the role. We appreciate clarity, especially when discussing complex topics like digital transformation and data governance.
Highlight Relevant Experience:Make sure to showcase your previous leadership roles in digital and technology functions. We’re looking for specific examples of how you've driven change and improved services, so don’t hold back on the details!
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to submit your application through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets the attention it deserves. Plus, it’s super easy to do!
How to prepare for a job interview at ROYAL BOROUGH OF KENSINGTON AND CHELSEA
✨Know Your Digital Transformation Stuff
Make sure you brush up on the latest trends in digital transformation, especially in public service. Be ready to discuss how technology can improve resident experiences and strengthen resilience. Show them you’re not just familiar with the tech but also understand its impact on communities.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Style
Prepare to talk about your leadership approach, especially in multidisciplinary teams. Think of examples where you've inspired innovation and collaboration. They want to see how you can foster a culture that aligns with their values of integrity and respect.
✨Understand the Political Landscape
Since this role involves working closely with elected Members and the Executive Leadership Team, it’s crucial to demonstrate your understanding of the political sensitivities involved. Be ready to discuss how you would navigate these relationships while driving meaningful change.
✨Bring Data-Driven Insights
Be prepared to discuss how you’ve used data to inform decision-making in previous roles. They’ll be looking for someone who champions data governance and can translate complex data insights into actionable strategies that benefit residents.
