Head of Digital Governance

Business area: Digital and Data

Working pattern: Flexible working, Full-time, Job share, Part-time

Number of jobs available: 1

Locations: Bristol, Swansea, Leeds, Nottingham, Newcastle, Oldham, Birmingham or Yeading.

Salary: £57,515

Job Summary

DVSA are investing in the foundations that support a strong, modern digital function—from the way we govern and assure delivery to how we build trust in our services and data. We're growing a team that can shape and strengthen how digital work gets done, and we're looking for leaders who bring clarity, consistency, and confidence to how we manage change. This role is part of the Digital & Data Hub—a centre of expertise designed to improve how we recruit and develop digital talent, embed better governance, and support business areas with expert advice and insight. Whether it's setting clear routes through governance forums, improving how we assess digital risk, or supporting portfolio delivery teams, you'll play a key role in making sure DVSA delivers smarter, more joined‑up digital services. You’ll work closely with colleagues across Driver, Vehicle, Enforcement, and Common Services, helping teams navigate complexity, stay aligned to strategy, and make decisions with the right information at the right time. We’re building a high‑performing, inclusive digital culture—and this is your chance to help shape how it operates.

Key Responsibilities

• Leadership: Guide and support a small team of governance and assurance professionals, creating a culture of integrity, collaboration, and constructive challenge.
• Governance Oversight: Own the digital governance framework and ensure it reflects best practice, government standards, and the evolving needs of DVSA’s digital teams.
• Assurance & Risk: Be the go‑to expert for digital assurance—ensuring our projects are accountable, well‑documented, and set up for success from the outset.
• Project & Programme Practice: Maintain and evolve our programme and project delivery standards, ensuring they’re usable, proportionate, and aligned with recognised methodologies such as MSP and PRINCE2.
• Senior Engagement: Work alongside directors, service owners, and external partners to maintain trust and alignment across DVSA and the wider Department for Transport family.

Person Specification

We are looking for a dynamic and experienced professional with deep experience in governance and policy compliance. You will have a robust background in project and programme methodology and a proven track record of influencing executives or board‑level colleagues. Your advice should be authoritative, and you should demonstrate excellent communication, presentation, and facilitation skills. You should have used assurance functions to inform decision‑making effectively and have established standards and processes that enable and monitor quality.

Benefits

• Employer pension contribution of 28.97 % of your salary.
• 25 days annual leave, increasing by 1 day each year of service up to a maximum of 30 days, plus 8 bank holidays and a privilege day for the King's birthday.
• Flexible working options encouraging a healthy work‑life balance.
• Access to the staff discount portal.
• Excellent career development opportunities; potential to undertake professional qualifications such as CIPD, Prince2, apprenticeships, and more, paid for by the department.
• 24‑hour Employee Assistance Programme providing free confidential help and advice for staff.