Director - Chief Digital and Information Officer - National Policing (PB2)

The Home Office is seeking an exceptional and forward-looking leader to serve as Chief Digital and Information Officer (CDIO)– National Policing.

This is a pivotal executive role at the heart of policing reform, with responsibility for shaping the digital, data, information and technology capabilities that will underpin modern law enforcement and enable better outcomes for the public.

The role holder will provide executive accountability for digital and technology across all national-level products, platforms and services, ensuring local requirements are reflected in strategic direction and delivery across all 43 police forces.

The CDIO will oversee or have the ability to influence a budget between £850m - £1bn.

The portfolio includes approximately £200m per annum investment in programmes, a further c.£200m per annum for the support and operation of live policing services, three designated components of critical national infrastructure and influence of local police force IT spend.

During the initial two-year appointment, the role will be accountable to the Director General of the Public Safety Group, Director General of the Digital and Innovation Group and NPCC Lead for Digital Data and Technology, working closely with APCC and Police Digital Service to ensure a coherent, aligned and effective approach.

At a point jointly agreed by the NPS Commissioner, and the Home Office, line management responsibility for the NPS CDIO will transfer to the NPS Commissioner.

The CDIO will be expected to lead and/or be a member of key governance for boards which will oversee service, delivery and financial control across the policing sector.

Key Responsibilities:

• Provide visible strategic leadership for digital, data and innovation across the national police technology landscape, ensuring technology is fully integrated into service design, operational delivery and organisational reform.
• Oversee the safe, secure and effective operation of critical live services, ensuring resilience, reliability, performance and continuous improvement across the service estate.
• Sponsor and lead major transformation and modernisation activity, including product, platform and service redesign, technology renewal, and the reduction of legacy risk and technical debt.
• Set and maintain strong governance for digital investment, enterprise architecture, cyber security, data management and delivery assurance to support long-term sustainability and public trust.
• Build alignment across policing organisations, government departments and delivery partners, driving coherence, interoperability, standardisation and innovation where these improve outcomes and value for money.
• Lead and develop high-performing multidisciplinary teams and multi-organisation teams and create the conditions for innovation, accountability, inclusion and delivery at scale.
• Champion Equality, Diversity and Inclusion, ensuring inclusive leadership, culture and workforce practices are embedded across national policing digital, data and technology functions.

Person Specification:

• Essential Criteria

+ Mission-led digital leadership: Demonstrate a clear understanding that digital, data and technology are enablers of safer communities, effective policing and public value, not ends in themselves. + Scale and track record: Substantial experience of leading large-scale digital, data, technology or transformation functions. + System leadership and influence: A proven ability to lead across organisational and institutional boundaries as a positive disruptor. + Enterprise governance: Experience of using portfolio management, enterprise architecture and robust governance and risk management to guide investment, prioritise change and manage dependencies. + People and culture: Exceptional people leadership, with a proven ability to build high-performing, inclusive teams, develop future leaders and create a culture of trust and accountability.

• Desirable Criteria

+ An understanding of the Policing, law enforcement operations. + Experience of leading or contributing cross-sector programmes involving complex stakeholder environments. + A clear commitment to public service values and inclusive leadership, with experience of creating supportive, high-performing organisational cultures.

Benefits:

• Salary of £150,000 - £174,000 per year
• Home Office contributes £43,455 towards being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme
• 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%