At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a dynamic team to oversee digital and technology projects that drive innovation.
- Company: Join the FCDO, a leader in global diplomacy and technology integration.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, location allowances, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Work in a collaborative environment with a focus on continuous improvement and excellence.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on global diplomacy through cutting-edge technology and strategic leadership.
- Qualifications: Experience in managing complex digital projects and strong leadership skills required.
The predicted salary is between 69500 - 69500 £ per year.
The Digital Technology and Security (DTaS) directorate is responsible for delivering our ambition to make the FCDO the world's most technologically integrated and innovative foreign ministry. This means harnessing digital, data, technology, IT security and information management to deliver our diplomatic, development and consular aims, all while keeping our people and information safe, especially from hostile actors.
Main purpose of the job: When you join us in this important role, you'll provide strategic oversight of our digital, data and technology portfolio as you lead a collaborative team of portfolio professionals, and inspire a culture of continuous improvement, collaboration and delivery excellence. Shaping and maintaining a robust governance framework, it will be your task to ensure effective prioritisation, resource allocation and risk management across a complex, high-value portfolio of products, services and programmes. Working closely with our senior stakeholders to maintain evidence-based investment decisions, we'll also expect you to ensure benefits are clearly defined, and the portfolio adapts to changing priorities.
Key responsibilities:
- Provide strategic oversight of the digital, data and technology portfolio, lead a collaborative team of portfolio professionals and inspire a culture of continuous improvement, collaboration and delivery excellence.
- Shape and maintain a robust governance framework, ensuring effective prioritisation, resource allocation and risk management across a complex, high-value portfolio of products, services and programmes.
- Work closely with senior stakeholders to maintain evidence-based investment decisions, ensuring benefits are clearly defined and the portfolio adapts to changing priorities.
- Act as a key advisor to senior leadership colleagues, delivering data-driven insights and recommendations to inform decision-making at the highest levels.
- Champion best practice in strategic portfolio management, support the development of business cases and ensure reporting mechanisms track progress, manage interdependencies and deliver successful outcomes.
- Identify, categorise and prioritise new demand for inclusion in service groups and the portfolio; establish a clear governance framework and reporting system; coordinate reporting from service groups; analyse performance at portfolio level.
Qualifications:
- Well-developed experience managing large-scale, complex digital and technology projects, using strategic portfolio management as a tool for organisational change.
- Proven practical knowledge of strategic risk management, agile planning cycles, problem solving and administration of multiple interdependencies.
- Strong leadership skills with ability to inspire cross-functional teams, motivate, coach on best practice processes.
- Ideal candidates possess Chartered Project Professional (ChPP), Managing Successful Programme’s (MSP) or Management of Portfolios (MoP) certification, or demonstrate significant experience successfully managing complex programmes or portfolios.
- Proactive approach to work and ability to continuously improve oneself and the service; excellent communication skills to identify, analyse and engage stakeholders, ensuring investment proposals align with transformation objectives.
Additional details:
We lead the UK's diplomatic, development and consular work around the world. We employ around 17,000 staff in our global network of 281 offices worldwide. Our UK-based staff work in King Charles Street in London, Abercrombie House in East Kilbride and Hanslope Park in Milton Keynes.
Compensation and benefits:
Base salary: £69,500 per annum. Location allowance: £5,000 for London. Location allowance: £1,750 for Milton Keynes. Location allowance: £0 for East Kilbride.
Head of Digital Portfolio employer: UK Civil Service
As a leading force in the UK's diplomatic and development efforts, the FCDO offers an exceptional work environment for the Head of Digital Portfolio role. With a commitment to innovation and collaboration, employees benefit from a culture that prioritises continuous improvement and professional growth, alongside competitive compensation packages tailored to their location. Joining our team means being part of a mission-driven organisation that values strategic insight and empowers its staff to make a meaningful impact on global affairs.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Digital Portfolio
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to folks in your industry on LinkedIn or at events. A friendly chat can open doors that a CV just can't.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its projects. Show us you know what we do and how you can contribute to our digital portfolio!
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your pitch! Be ready to explain how your experience aligns with our goals. We want to hear how you can inspire collaboration and drive excellence.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, it shows you're serious about joining our team.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Digital Portfolio
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter to highlight your experience in managing complex digital and technology projects. Use keywords from the job description to show that you understand what we're looking for.
Showcase Your Leadership Skills:We want to see how you've inspired teams and driven collaboration in your previous roles. Share specific examples of how you've motivated others and led successful projects, especially in strategic portfolio management.
Be Data-Driven:Since this role involves making evidence-based investment decisions, include any relevant metrics or outcomes from your past work. Demonstrating your ability to analyse data and make informed recommendations will set you apart.
Apply Through Our Website:Don't forget to submit your application through our official website! This ensures that your application gets to the right people and helps us keep track of all candidates efficiently.
How to prepare for a job interview at UK Civil Service
✨Know Your Digital Portfolio Inside Out
Before the interview, make sure you thoroughly understand the digital, data, and technology portfolio you'll be overseeing. Familiarise yourself with current projects, their objectives, and how they align with the FCDO's goals. This will help you demonstrate your strategic oversight capabilities.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Style
Be prepared to discuss your leadership approach and how you inspire cross-functional teams. Share specific examples of how you've motivated teams in the past, especially in complex environments. This will highlight your ability to foster a culture of continuous improvement and collaboration.
✨Prepare for Stakeholder Engagement Scenarios
Think about how you would engage with senior stakeholders and maintain evidence-based investment decisions. Prepare examples of how you've successfully navigated stakeholder relationships and ensured alignment with organisational objectives in previous roles.
✨Demonstrate Your Risk Management Expertise
Since risk management is crucial for this role, come ready to discuss your experience with strategic risk management and agile planning cycles. Be specific about how you've identified and mitigated risks in past projects, showcasing your proactive approach to ensuring successful outcomes.
