Head of Digital Capability & Onboarding
Head of Digital Capability & Onboarding

Head of Digital Capability & Onboarding

Nottingham Full-Time 54857 - 64857 £ / year (est.) Home office (partial)
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At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead digital recruitment and onboarding to build a skilled workforce.
  • Company: DVSA, a forward-thinking agency focused on digital transformation.
  • Benefits: Generous pension, 25+ days leave, flexible working, and career development.
  • Why this job: Shape the future of digital talent in a dynamic and impactful role.
  • Qualifications: Proven leadership experience in strategy and operations.
  • Other info: Hybrid working options and opportunities for professional growth.

The predicted salary is between 54857 - 64857 £ per year.

Overview

Location: Birmingham, Bristol, Leeds, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, Nottingham

Salary: £54,857 per annum

DVSA is investing in the digital workforce they need to meet future challenges by building a more sustainable, skilled, and in-house capability that reduces reliance on external contractors. They’ve created the Digital & Data Hub, a central team that brings together recruitment, onboarding, workforce planning, and governance to support the growth of a modern digital profession within the agency. They’re now looking for a senior leader to head up the Hub. The role will focus on scaling recruitment of digital professionals, embedding consistent onboarding and capability support, and helping DVSA meet ambitious workforce targets in line with government expectations. You’ll work with colleagues across digital, data, HR, and commercial teams, providing direction, solving delivery challenges, and building processes that support long-term workforce growth. This is a role for someone who can navigate complexity, influence at senior levels, and lead a team to deliver tangible outcomes that strengthen internal capability. If you’re energized by solving workforce challenges at scale and want to shape the conditions that help digital professionals succeed, they’d love to hear from you.

Joining Their Department Comes With Many Benefits

  • Employer pension contribution of 28.97% of your salary.
  • 25 days annual leave, increasing by 1 day each year of service (up to 30 days), plus 8 bank holidays.
  • Flexible working options that support a good work-life balance.

Job Description

The Head of Digital & Data Hub leads DVSA\’s strategic approach to digital recruitment, onboarding, and workforce capability. You will design and run processes that ensure DVSA can attract, develop, and retain the digital talent it needs while contributing to the government\’s wider contractor reduction and efficiency targets. This is a leadership role with both operational and strategic scope, sitting at the heart of the agency’s drive to build a more skilled, sustainable digital workforce.

Key Responsibilities

  • Digital Workforce Growth: Lead end-to-end recruitment campaigns across digital and data professions, ensuring roles are advertised, assessed, and onboarded in a consistent, timely, and inclusive way.
  • Onboarding & Capability Support: Oversee the onboarding journey for all digital professionals, including apprenticeships, and develop mechanisms that support retention, development, and career progression.
  • Contractor Reduction & Efficiency Alignment: Drive activity to convert and reduce external contractor roles where appropriate, aligning to Civil Service and Spring Budget targets for efficiency and workforce sustainability.
  • Governance & Reporting: Ensure the Hub maintains accurate oversight of digital workforce metrics—headcount, vacancies, contractor usage, and diversity indicators—and reports effectively to DVSA and central government stakeholders.
  • Cross-functional Collaboration: Work closely with HR, finance, commercial, and digital leadership to coordinate workforce activity, unblock delivery risks, and provide senior-level assurance on progress.

Person specification

They’re looking for an experienced leader who thrives at the intersection of strategy, operations, and people. You’ll bring credibility to influence at senior levels and the focus to deliver at pace. Most importantly, you’ll be driven by a desire to create the conditions where digital professionals can succeed and grow within the Civil Service.

You Will Have

  • A clear, practical leadership style focused on delivery, clarity, and collaboration.
  • A commitment to inclusion, development, and building professional communities.
  • Ability to model high standards while supporting others to grow in capability and confidence.

This post is offered on a Fixed Term Appointment (FTA) basis to complete a finite piece of work.

Working Hours, Office Attendance And Travel Requirements

Full-time roles consist of 37 hours per week. While applications from part-time candidates are welcome, there is a business requirement to work at least 30 hours per week. The role supports hybrid working (non-contractual; a mix of workplace and home-based working) subject to business requirements. For more information, contact the Vacancy Holder. Occasional travel to other offices may be required, including overnight stays.

To Apply

If you feel you are a suitable candidate and would like to work for this reputable organization, please click apply to be redirected to their website to complete your application.

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Head of Digital Capability & Onboarding employer: Smiley & Co, Ltd.

DVSA is an exceptional employer, dedicated to fostering a skilled and sustainable digital workforce within the Civil Service. With generous benefits such as a substantial pension contribution, flexible working options, and a commitment to employee development, DVSA creates an inclusive work culture that empowers its staff to thrive. This role offers the unique opportunity to lead transformative initiatives in a supportive environment, making a meaningful impact on the future of digital capabilities across the agency.
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Contact Detail:

Smiley & Co, Ltd. Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

We think this is how you could land Head of Digital Capability & Onboarding

✨Tip Number 1

Network like a pro! Reach out to current employees at DVSA on LinkedIn or other platforms. Ask them about their experiences and any tips they might have for the application process. This insider info can give us an edge!

✨Tip Number 2

Prepare for the interview by researching DVSA's recent projects and initiatives. Show us that you’re not just interested in the role, but also in how you can contribute to their mission of building a skilled digital workforce.

✨Tip Number 3

Practice your leadership stories! Think of examples where you've successfully led teams or projects, especially in digital recruitment or onboarding. We want to hear how you navigated challenges and delivered results.

✨Tip Number 4

Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets the attention it deserves. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take that extra step to engage with us directly.

We think you need these skills to ace Head of Digital Capability & Onboarding

Leadership
Digital Recruitment
Onboarding Processes
Workforce Capability Development
Stakeholder Engagement
Cross-functional Collaboration
Strategic Planning
Operational Management
Data Analysis
Inclusivity and Diversity Awareness
Problem-Solving Skills
Communication Skills
Project Management
Performance Metrics Oversight

Some tips for your application 🫡

Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter to highlight how your experience aligns with the key responsibilities of the Head of Digital Capability & Onboarding role. We want to see how you can contribute to our mission!

Showcase Your Leadership Style: In your application, give us a glimpse of your leadership style. We’re looking for someone who can inspire and guide teams, so share examples of how you've successfully led projects or initiatives in the past.

Highlight Your Collaborative Spirit: Since this role involves working closely with various teams, make sure to mention your experience in cross-functional collaboration. We love seeing how you’ve worked with others to achieve common goals!

Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for this exciting opportunity. We can’t wait to hear from you!

How to prepare for a job interview at Smiley & Co, Ltd.

✨Know the Role Inside Out

Before your interview, make sure you thoroughly understand the job description. Familiarise yourself with the key responsibilities and how they align with your experience. This will help you articulate how your skills can contribute to DVSA's goals.

✨Showcase Your Leadership Style

As a candidate for a senior leadership role, be prepared to discuss your leadership style and how it fosters collaboration and delivery. Share specific examples of how you've successfully led teams in the past, especially in complex environments.

✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions

Expect questions that assess your problem-solving abilities and strategic thinking. Prepare scenarios where you've navigated challenges in recruitment or workforce development, highlighting your approach and the outcomes achieved.

✨Demonstrate Your Commitment to Inclusion

DVSA values inclusion and professional development. Be ready to discuss how you've promoted these values in your previous roles. Share initiatives you've led or participated in that support diverse talent and career progression.

Head of Digital Capability & Onboarding
Smiley & Co, Ltd.
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  • Head of Digital Capability & Onboarding

    Nottingham
    Full-Time
    54857 - 64857 £ / year (est.)

    Application deadline: 2027-09-16

  • S

    Smiley & Co, Ltd.

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