At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead digital transformation in education, driving AI and data strategies for better outcomes.
- Company: Department for Education, shaping the future of education across the UK.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, generous pension contributions, flexible working, and tailored learning opportunities.
- Other info: Join a diverse team committed to transforming education and care sectors.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on education by embedding digital innovation at every level.
- Qualifications: Proven leadership in digital, AI, and data with strategic thinking skills.
Apply before 11:55 pm on Monday 1st June 2026
Location: Bristol, Cambridge, Coventry, Darlington, London, Manchester, Nottingham, Sheffield
Job summary
This is a new role being created in the Department for Education to drive a step-change in how digital, AI, data and infrastructure capability is used to improve outcomes across the education and care sectors. The ambition is transformational: to embed digital and data into the heart of how the Department and the sector deliver outcomes, not as a separate strategy but as a powerful function influencing every major priority. This is a role with real national reach and visibility, operating at pace and scale - reshaping how education services are delivered nationwide.
The DG for Digital and Infrastructure will lead a new, highly capable and multi-disciplinary Group bringing together the digital, technology, data, and analysis functions in the Department. The DG will also lead the education estates function, with one of the top priorities for the role being to transform our capital strategy to make it more data and digitally enabled.
The DG for Digital and Infrastructure will be responsible for delivering:
- An ambitious cross-cutting digital, AI and data strategy plan that transforms how the sector and Department deliver all their work. This means leading work across DfE and the wider sector to embed digital, AI and data into every major strategy, driving improvements in outcomes for children and learners.
- DfE digital and technology services - leading a DDaT function of ~1800 colleagues to deliver user‑centred, agile digital services to support outcomes – on everything from childcare and early years to teacher recruitment and fostering. The DG will also lead on delivery of the DfE technology strategy, including strengthening cyber resilience in the education sector and improving cyber security of DfE systems.
- Strategic data transformation across education and care sectors, including creating a powerful data spine for easier, more automatic collection and linking of data from education and care providers; and using this to drive insight and new services, and improve outcomes for children and learners. This will include work on a Single Unique Identifier.
- Improvements in the education estate - leading on implementing a new strategy for the education estate, linking it to wider responsibilities around improving education infrastructure. This includes delivery of major capital programmes such as the School Rebuilding Programme and several large capital funding programmes across schools, colleges, nurseries and children’s homes. This function carries some of the highest levels of risk and accountability in the Department - including life‑and‑death decisions on safety (e.g. RAAC). The DG must exercise exceptional judgement in managing vast surveying and build programmes, making frequent rapid, high‑stakes decisions.
Person specification
The Civil Service is open to talented people from anywhere in the world, and from any career background; we will always seek to identify transferable skills from the individual’s experience. To be appointed, you will need to show:
- Expertise in digital, AI and data leadership at scale: Ability to set a clear vision and strategy that transforms outcomes across a whole sector. Experience in leading large digital, data and technology functions to improve performance and ensure cyber security underpins digital and data systems.
- Delivery at pace and scale: Proven ability to lead major transformation programmes across complex delivery landscapes, working in partnership with schools, colleges, local authorities and private sector partners including in the ed tech and construction industries.
- Strategic thinking and policy influence: A track record of embedding digital and data into the core strategies of large organisations or systems, and of developing high‑quality, influential policies in partnership with decision‑makers at the most senior levels.
- Leadership: Proven leadership experience, including through change, with evidence of the ability to build, inspire and motivate high‑performing teams within an organisation of similar scale and complexity. Determination to create and maintain excellent, lean, effective teams which bring diversity of thought and take powerful action.
- Judgement and risk management: Exceptional skill in balancing huge opportunities with significant risks, calibrating engagement with a vibrant but under‑evidenced and rapidly changing market. Ability to lead and change thinking over time.
- Education expertise: Knowledge of the education or social care policy landscape and the ed tech sector is desirable. Whether they have some experience of these or not, candidates must demonstrate an interest in - and willingness to rapidly learn about – the education and care systems, and the evidence base, including on the science of learning.
Alongside your salary of £200,000, Department for Education contributes £57,940 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%
Director General, Digital and Infrastructure employer: Women in Data®
The Department for Education is an exceptional employer, offering a unique opportunity to lead transformative digital and infrastructure initiatives that will shape the future of education across the UK. With a strong commitment to employee growth, flexible working options, and a culture that values diversity and inclusion, you will be part of a dynamic team dedicated to making a meaningful impact on learners' outcomes. Additionally, the generous pension contributions and tailored learning and development programmes further enhance the appeal of this role in vibrant locations such as London, Manchester, and Bristol.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Director General, Digital and Infrastructure
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in your field on LinkedIn or at industry 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 culture. Tailor your answers to show how your experience aligns with their goals, especially around digital and data transformation.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice makes perfect! Do mock interviews with friends or mentors to build confidence. Focus on articulating your vision for digital and AI strategies clearly.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive about their job search.
We think you need these skills to ace Director General, Digital and Infrastructure
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your application to highlight how your experience aligns with the role. Use keywords from the job description to show that you understand what we're looking for and how you can contribute to our mission.
Showcase Your Leadership Skills:This role is all about leading teams and driving change, so don’t hold back on sharing examples of your leadership experience. We want to see how you've inspired and motivated others in previous roles, especially in digital and data contexts.
Be Clear and Concise:When writing your application, clarity is key! Keep your sentences straightforward and avoid jargon where possible. We appreciate a well-structured application that gets straight to the point while still showcasing your personality.
Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to submit your application through our official website! It’s the best way to ensure it reaches us directly and allows you to keep track of your application status. Plus, we love seeing applications come through our platform!
How to prepare for a job interview at Women in Data®
✨Know Your Digital Stuff
Make sure you brush up on the latest trends in digital, AI, and data leadership. Be ready to discuss how you've successfully implemented these technologies in previous roles, especially in large-scale environments. This will show that you can set a clear vision and strategy for transformation.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples of how you've built and motivated high-performing teams. Highlight your experience in leading through change and how you’ve inspired others to achieve ambitious goals. This is crucial for a role that requires exceptional judgement and risk management.
✨Understand the Education Landscape
Familiarise yourself with the current education and social care policy landscape. Even if you don’t have direct experience, showing a genuine interest and willingness to learn about these systems will impress interviewers. They want to see that you can embed digital and data into core strategies effectively.
✨Be Ready for High-Stakes Scenarios
Think of examples where you've had to make rapid, high-stakes decisions. The role involves managing significant risks, so demonstrating your ability to balance opportunities with potential pitfalls will be key. Prepare to discuss how you’ve navigated complex delivery landscapes in the past.
