Editorial

Want to help shape GDS strategy? Now’s your chance

Group advertising for new IT heavyweight to lead day-to-day running of products and delivery – with £134,000 as compensation

Posted 1 March 2018 by Gary Flood


GDS, the Government Digital Service, needs some fresh talent to help lead 550 delivery and support professionals – and access to an £85m budget.

That’s in the shape of a recruitment drive it launched this week for a new IT leader with a brief to step in as its new director of technology, product, and delivery.

And the mission, should you choose to accept it: lead the day-to-day running of GDS’s products and delivery and be a C-suite level shaper of GDS strategy – with £134k as your compensation.

A direct report to director general Kevin Cunnington, resources available to her or him to do that will include 400 delivery professionals, 100 tech ops team members and 35 product and proposition employees, as well as four deputy director-level senior managers.

You’ll also have to deliver against all Government as a Platform tools such as Verify, Notify, and Pay, as well as GOV.UK online infrastructure for use across the public sector.

“The post-holder will plan, direct, and coordinate all of GDS’s product management, technical capability and digital delivery,” GDS said. “The post-holder will streamline organisational performance, productivity and efficiency. They will develop and maintain a reputation as an exemplar of digital delivery and technical operations across government.”

Applications close on March 18, with a final shortlist expected by be drawn up on April 13 and a pretty intense four-stage final interview process after that.

We’d like to encourage applications for this vital central government IT job – and good luck!