Head of Information Exploitation

The Ministry of Defence has an ambition to put modern digital capability at the heart of how it operates to create winning advantage. The effective exploitation of information and supporting technology is a force multiplier - digital technologies, together with the effective capture, analysis and use of information, will enable transformative military and business performance. Strong Digital coherence will enable the frictionless flow of information across all operating domains, thereby enabling multi-domain integration.

We have an exciting opportunity to join the team as Head of Information Exploitation, you’ll lead a large multi-disciplinary team (circa 300 people), setting and delivering the vision for data exploitation across the MOD. You will oversee the delivery of mission-critical data capabilities, helping Defence become a more data-driven organisation. Your work will directly support decision making and operational effectiveness across UK Defence. From shaping data platforms and architectures to ensuring data standards and governance are embedded, you will play a central role in delivering better outcomes through better use of information.

You will:

• Drive the development and implementation of data exploitation strategies and services.
• Lead and motivate high performing, specialist teams across data science, engineering, and analysis.
• Partner with senior leaders and stakeholders across Defence to shape data enabled capabilities.
• Champion a culture of continuous improvement, innovation, and user-centred design.
• Represent Defence in cross-government and international data and digital forums.

Person specification

• Extensive knowledge and experience in leading complex programmes and/or implementation of complex intelligence or data services with a multi user base.
• Data focussed with an understanding of the nuances of Information Exploitation in Defence and elsewhere.
• Experience in procurement of multi-million-pound services and equipment.
• Experience leading significant change whilst maintaining business as usual activities.
• Understands government acquisition, treasury rules and how government commercial services works.
• Experience leading a mixed discipline team with both technical and strategic awareness and by empowering all team members to achieve shared aims.

Alongside your salary of £117,800, Ministry of Defence contributes £34,126 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.

Learning and development tailored to your role. An environment with flexible working options. A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity. A Civil Service pension with an employer contribution of 28.97%.

Selection process details

GatenbySanderson, an executive search agency, has been appointed to assist with this appointment. To apply for this post, you will need to complete the online application process accessed via the listed for this role. This should be completed no later than 23:55 on 1 June 2025:

• A CV (no more than 2 pages) setting out your career history, with key responsibilities and achievements. Please ensure you have provided reasons for any gaps within the last two years.
• A Personal Statement (no more than 2 pages) explaining how your personal skills, qualities and experience provide evidence of your suitability for the role. Both documents are weighted equally in their scoring, so it’s important to consider this when uploading your application. Failure to submit both documents will mean the panel only have limited information on which to assess your application against the criteria in the person specification.

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment. This role has a minimum assignment duration of 3 years. An assignment duration is the period of time a Senior Civil Servant is expected to remain in the same post to enable them to deliver on the agreed key business outcomes. The assignment duration also supports your career through building your depth of expertise.

As part of accepting this role you will be agreeing to the expected assignment duration set out above. This will not result in a contractual change to your terms and conditions. Please note this is an expectation only, it is not something which is written into your terms and conditions or indeed which the employing organisation or you are bound by. It will depend on your personal circumstances at a particular time and business needs, for example, would not preclude any absence like family friendly leave. It is nonetheless an important expectation, which is why we ask you to confirm you agree to the assignment duration set out above.

Security

Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is developed vetting. People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard checks.

Nationality requirements

Open to UK nationals only.

Working for the Civil Service

The Civil Service Code sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants. We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles. The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria. The Civil Service also offers a Redeployment Interview Scheme to civil servants who are at risk of redundancy, and who meet the minimum requirements for the advertised vacancy.

Diversity and Inclusion

The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found.

Contact point for applicants

Job Contact Name: Gatenby Sanderson Email: Recruitment team Email:

Further information

If you feel your application has not been treated in accordance with the Recruitment Principles, and you wish to make a complaint, you should contact in the first instance. If you are not satisfied with the response you receive from the Department, you can contact the Civil Service Commission.