Head of Digital, Data & Technology for the Disused Tips Authority in Merthyr Tydfil

Help build the digital, data and technology capability behind one of Wales' newest public bodies. The Disused Tips Authority for Wales is being established as the national public body responsible for overseeing the safety, management and regulation of disused tips across Wales. Operating in a high-profile, safety-critical environment, our success will depend on reliable digital services, trusted information and technology that enables confident, evidence-based decision making.

As Head of Digital, Data & Technology, you will play a critical leadership role in delivering the Authority's digital, data and technology capability. You will ensure colleagues have the systems, information and digital services they need to deliver the Authority's statutory responsibilities while creating modern, secure and efficient ways of working. This is a broad strategic delivery role. Working closely with the Director of Data & Assurance, you will lead the implementation of the Authority's Digital, Data & Technology Strategy, overseeing enterprise systems, digital services, national registers, information management, analytics and technology services.

You will also manage the Authority's technology suppliers and service providers, ensuring services are resilient, innovative, cost-effective and aligned to organisational priorities. Beyond the organisation itself, you will work collaboratively with government, local authorities, technology providers, academia and other partners to strengthen digital capability, improve information sharing and support the Authority's ambition to become a recognised centre of excellence in the intelligent use of data and technology.

The role is both inward and outward facing: Internally, you will create a digitally enabled organisation where colleagues have access to reliable systems, trusted information and intuitive digital services that support effective operational delivery and evidence-based decision making. Externally, you will build productive relationships with technology suppliers, delivery partners and public sector organisations to promote collaboration, innovation and continuous improvement.

This is a unique opportunity to establish the digital foundations of a new national organisation, helping create an Authority that is modern, digitally enabled and recognised for the quality of its information, technology and operational excellence.

Important: The Disused Tips Authority for Wales will be established as an independent Welsh Public Body and separate legal entity on 1 April 2027. Until then, these roles will be hosted by the Welsh Government, providing a unique opportunity to help create and shape a new national organisation from the outset. Successful candidates will initially be employed by the Welsh Government before transferring to the Disused Tips Authority when it becomes operational on 1 April 2027, with continuity of employment maintained throughout. The Disused Tips Authority is a separate organisation from the Welsh Government.

Key Tasks:

• Delivering digital services and technology: You'll lead the delivery of the Authority's Digital, Data & Technology Strategy, ensuring digital services, enterprise systems and technology platforms support organisational priorities and enable the effective delivery of statutory responsibilities.
• Managing enterprise systems: You'll be responsible for the performance, resilience and continuous improvement of the Authority's enterprise technology estate, including business applications, collaboration platforms, operational systems and digital tools.
• Managing technology suppliers and contracts: You'll lead the procurement, mobilisation and day-to-day management of technology suppliers, managed service providers and digital contracts.
• Managing data and information: You'll lead the operational management of the Authority's information assets, ensuring national registers, operational systems and organisational data are accurate, secure, integrated and maintained as trusted sources of information.
• Developing analytics and business intelligence: You'll develop the Authority's reporting, analytics and business intelligence capability, ensuring operational teams and senior leaders have timely, meaningful and reliable information to support operational delivery, organisational performance and evidence-based decision making.
• Delivering digital transformation: You'll identify opportunities to improve organisational effectiveness through digital technologies, automation and process improvement.
• Supporting innovation: You'll work with technology providers, academia and public sector partners to identify emerging technologies and digital solutions that improve monitoring, information management and operational delivery.
• Leading a high-performing function: You'll build and lead a modern, customer-focused Digital, Data & Technology function, creating an environment where specialists are supported to develop professionally, collaborate effectively and deliver outstanding services across the organisation.

Successful candidates will hold a degree in Digital, Information Technology, Computer Science, Information Management, Data Science, GIS or a related discipline, or be able to demonstrate significant relevant experience leading digital, technology, information or data services within complex organisations.

Technical Capabilities:

• Digital Service Leadership: Delivering organisation-wide digital, data and technology services that support organisational priorities and statutory responsibilities.
• Enterprise Systems & Technology Management: Leading the implementation, management and continuous improvement of enterprise systems, digital platforms and business applications.
• Supplier & Contract Management: Procuring, mobilising and managing technology suppliers, managed service providers and digital contracts.
• Data Management & Business Intelligence: Leading the operational management of organisational data, national registers and information assets.
• Information Governance & Digital Security: Ensuring digital services and information assets comply with information governance, data protection and security requirements.
• Digital Transformation & Continuous Improvement: Leading digital transformation initiatives that modernise business processes and improve organisational effectiveness.
• Leadership & Professional Judgement: Providing professional advice and challenge on digital services, technology, supplier management and information management.

Location: The Authority's headquarters will be located at Rhydycar Business Park, Merthyr Tydfil, CF48 1UZ. This will be the principal place of work and where most colleagues will come together to collaborate with one another and with stakeholders. The successful candidate will be expected to attend the office in Merthyr Tydfil regularly to support collaboration and stakeholder engagement.

Starting salary: £61,098 per annum. The role sits within a pay range that extends to £78,449 with progression subject to the Authority's pay arrangements. For candidates who can demonstrate exceptional experience, expertise and market value, a higher starting salary within the approved pay range may be considered. The Disused Tips Authority has its own pay and reward arrangements, which are separate from Welsh Government pay structures.