At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead digital transformation and technology strategy to enhance children's lives globally.
- Company: Join Save the Children UK, a leading charity with a mission to protect and empower children.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, inclusive culture, and opportunities for personal and professional growth.
- Other info: Diverse and inclusive workplace that values unique perspectives and experiences.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on children's futures while shaping innovative digital solutions.
- Qualifications: Proven leadership in digital and technology, with a focus on strategic transformation.
The predicted salary is between 75000 - 90000 £ per year.
Save the Children UK is part of a global movement and works to ensure every child survives, learns, and is protected, delivering life‑changing impact across the UK. As one of the most recognisable charities in the UK with over 600,000 supporters, we have fought for children in this country since our establishment in 1919. We support children to transform their lives by putting their rights at the core of all our work, and are committed to making a positive, lasting difference for children.
At the heart of this mission, our Digital, Data and Technology function powers the systems, data and platforms that enable impact at scale across programmes, partners and internal operations. As part of a new strategy, Save the Children UK is entering a new phase in the evolution of its DDaT function. Our newly designed Director of DDaT role will lead this next stage of development, with a clear focus on stabilising a demand‑led technology environment, strengthening core foundations, and resetting the long‑term digital and technology strategy.
This is a critical turning point for our organisation and your success in this role will ensure it sits at a critical turning point for the organisation, having been shaped to reflect current organisational priorities: ensuring DDaT is fully aligned to mission delivery; operating with the right level of resilience and capability of a best‑in‑class DDaT function; and positioned to support future transformation across our organisation.
What you will do:
- Provide strategic leadership for DDaT, stabilising the environment while rebuilding capability, morale, trust and delivery confidence; act as a trusted advisor to Executive and Board, translating technical complexity into clear business insight; and build stakeholder confidence through visible leadership and consistent delivery of value from digital investment.
- Lead and develop the DDaT team, fostering a high‑performing culture of accountability, collaboration and continuous improvement; and build alignment across Save the Children UK and the wider international movement through strong stakeholder engagement and digital champions.
- Define and deliver a coherent technology strategy and roadmap aligned to organisational priorities, translating these into clear, practical digital, data and technology delivery plans.
- Develop compelling business cases for change, securing investment and stakeholder commitment for complex digital, data and technology transformation programmes.
- Lead the delivery of strategic DDaT transformation initiatives, aligning technology investment with business priorities to improve service outcomes, efficiency and organisational resilience, and delivering measurable organisational and mission impact.
- Build organisational and systems capability for future digital transformation, establishing scalable technology platforms, modern architectures and sustainable operating models.
- Provide technical leadership across enterprise architecture, service management, platforms, data and systems change; strengthen governance, operational discipline and service management standards; and oversee systems, suppliers, integrations and technical debt to ensure resilience, performance and value for money.
- Lead the development of data maturity, strengthening governance, foundations and insight capability to enable evidence‑based decision‑making across strategy, operations and service delivery.
- Strengthen cybersecurity, risk management, governance and compliance across all digital and technology services; enable safe adoption of emerging technologies (including AI); and drive simplification, standardisation and optimisation of business processes to improve efficiency and service effectiveness.
- Embed user‑centred, service‑led design and lead and advocate organisational change and adoption to ensure digital, data and technology investments are successfully embedded and deliver sustained benefits, supported by clear benefits realisation and value measurement.
Diversity and Inclusion:
Save the Children UK believes in a world that is fair, inclusive and equitable where all children have the opportunity to change their world. We apply this to our workforce and we are committed to developing and supporting a diverse, equitable, and inclusive organisation where all employees have a sense of belonging and feel that they can be “Free to Be Me”. We are not looking for just one type of person – we want to recruit people who can add fresh perspectives, innovative ideas or challenge that disrupts the risk of group think. We are especially interested in people whose childhood experiences – of life on a low income, of migration, of being in a racialised community, of the care system, of being LGBT+ or in an LGBT+ family or living with (or with someone with) a disability – help us to see things we might otherwise miss. Whatever your story is we want to hear it because we know that different voices, ideas, perspectives and knowledge, working together will enable us to better the lives of children around the world. This is the reason why we are all here.
Director of Digital, Data and Technology (DDaT) (7255) employer: Save the Children
Save the Children UK is an exceptional employer, offering a unique opportunity to lead transformative digital initiatives that directly impact children's lives. With a strong commitment to diversity and inclusion, employees are encouraged to bring their authentic selves to work, fostering a collaborative and innovative culture. The organisation prioritises professional growth, providing ample opportunities for development within a supportive environment that values every voice and perspective.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Director of Digital, Data and Technology (DDaT) (7255)
✨Join the IT Consultancy Buzz
Get involved in local or virtual IT consultancy meetups and forums. This is where we can rub shoulders with industry professionals, get insights into what Save the Children values, and even spot unadvertised opportunities. Don't miss out on these chances to make a name for ourselves in the IT world!
✨Show Off Your Skills
Create a personal project or case study relevant to the challenges Save the Children might face. Use platforms like GitHub or Medium to share your findings. This not only demonstrates our consulting skills but shows a proactive attitude, making us stand out from the crowd when applying for that full-time gig.
✨Leverage LinkedIn for Connections
Follow and engage with the relevant thought leaders and influencers in IT consultancy on LinkedIn. Share insightful content and join discussions to gain visibility. A well-placed comment or shared article could catch the attention of someone at Save the Children!
✨Direct Apply to Save the Children
Let's not forget to apply directly through the Save the Children website! Tailor your application to showcase our understanding of their consulting style and how we can contribute to their projects. A personalised approach can make a huge difference in landing that full-time position!
We think you need these skills to ace Director of Digital, Data and Technology (DDaT) (7255)
Some tips for your application 🫡
Showcase Your Problem-Solving Skills:In IT consulting, it's all about problem-solving, so make sure your CV highlights your analytical skills and any relevant projects you've tackled. Mention specific technologies or methodologies you've used to resolve issues or improve processes; this shows you can think critically and deliver results, which is vital for us at Save the Children.
Highlight Relevant Certifications:Certifications like ITIL, PMP, or even specific tech stack qualifications can really make you stand out. Make sure to include these in your CV, as they not only demonstrate your expertise but also your commitment to staying current in the field. We love seeing candidates who are proactive about their professional development!
Tailor Your Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to connect personally with us at Save the Children. Share stories about your experiences in IT consulting, and how they shaped your desire to join our team. Mention why you’re excited about this particular role, and how you see yourself contributing to our projects.
Keep It Clear and Concise:We're all busy, so make sure your application is easy to read. Use bullet points for key achievements, and don’t overload us with jargon. A clean, professional layout goes a long way. Remember, the clearer your application, the more likely we are to invite you in for an interview!
How to prepare for a job interview at Save the Children
✨Brush Up on Your Technical Skills
For an IT consulting role, be ready to demonstrate your technical prowess. You might face questions on systems integration, cloud technologies, or even troubleshooting specific software. If you have experience with tools like AWS, Azure, or even specific programming languages, make sure you can talk about them fluently.
✨Showcase Your Problem-Solving Approach
IT consulting is all about solving problems for clients. Think about how you can illustrate your approach to a past challenge using the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result). It's a great way to show how you tackle complex issues and come up with effective solutions.
✨Know the Business Impact of IT Solutions
When discussing your experiences, focus not just on the tech solutions you implemented, but also on their business impact. Employers want to see that you can connect IT with organisational goals. Prep examples that highlight how your tech contributions improved efficiency or reduced costs for past clients or projects.
✨Prepare for Behavioural Questions
Since IT consulting often involves teamwork and client interactions, expect behavioural questions that assess your interpersonal skills. Be prepared with examples that demonstrate your adaptability, communication skills, and how you handle client feedback. Before the interview, think of situations where you worked closely with clients to create effective IT strategies or changes.
