Location

Bristol, Croydon, Leeds, London, Manchester

About The Job

Job summary

About The Government Legal Department

From healthcare to artificial intelligence, energy to national security, we provide legal advice to government departments on nation-changing subjects.

At Government Legal Department we have a vital, single-minded purpose: to help the Government govern well within the rule of law. This is complemented by our exciting vision to be an outstanding legal organisation, committed to the highest standards of service and professionalism and a brilliant place to work where we can all thrive and fulfil our potential.

Our work touches almost every aspect of public life. We are the largest provider of legal services across government, working on high profile matters.

Our respected professionals are involved in everything from regulation and litigation to advice on drafting legislation. They provide expertise to the full range of government departments. We are at the heart of delivering the governments priorities and our success depends on our people.

GLD is a non-ministerial government department headed by the Treasury Solicitor, our Permanent Secretary, and employs nearly 3000 people, including over 2600 legal professionals. We have offices nationwide, in Bristol, Leeds, inner and outer London and Manchester. Our lawyers can also be located within other departments and overseas.

GLD also depends on a range of cross-government professionals to provide our corporate services. These play an essential part in helping GLD to achieve its purpose and truly deliver much more than law.

This is an exciting time to join GLD, with cutting edge legal work on global issues and a transformation agenda which is ensuring the Department exemplifies the Modern Civil Service .

To find out more about what we do you can view our introductory film here and visit the GLDs microsite . You can also read more about the future vision for GLD in ou GLD Strategy 2024 2027r .

Job Description

About the Digital and Data Division

Thank you for your interest in this pivotal leadership role at the heart of government.

The Government Legal Department (GLD) operates on a scale equivalent to one of the largest law firms in the UK providing the full range of legal services needed by government. We enable delivery of the governments missions, including policy making, legislation and helping the government to govern well within the rule of law.

This role sits within the Finance, Operations and Digital Directorate and them Chief Operating Officers Group. Our vision is a simpler, faster and better Digital and Data function We are committed to user-centred design, cloud-first principles, and alignment with government-wide standards such as the Digital Service Standard and the Technology Code of Practice.

I am looking for an outstanding leader with robust operational skills and a strategic approach to digital and data. You will join my Senior Leadership Team at a crucial time, as we deliver our GLD Strategy 2024-2027 and our Spending Review commitments. Your responsibilities will include improving cyber resilience, managing technology risks and ensuring operational continuity, all while demonstrating strong financial acumen.

As a key member of my senior team, you will lead a programme of digital and technology refreshment, including developing and implementing a new legal practice and matter management system. You will also collaborate across functions to ensure GLD aligns with the Shared Services for Government strategy, by replacing and transforming back-office IT systems that are reaching the end of their lifecycle.

Why should you work with us?

• The Directorates culture of autonomy, mastery, and purpose ensures that individuals are empowered to grow, lead, and make a lasting impact.
• Our work is challenging, our user and stakeholder environment is complex, and the problems we solve are some of the most interesting that you will find anywhere in government.
• The role offers a unique opportunity to be at the forefront of government transformation and to deliver efficient, productive public services that make a real difference to people's lives.
  
  

• Leading the Digital and Data function, enabling GLD to realise its strategic objectives through effective and innovative use of digital technologies
• Playing a critical role in delivering the organisations digital systems with a focus on areas such as Legal Practice Management and enterprise level operational systems covering all areas of corporate services
• Responsibility for maintaining the organisations wider industry ISO certifications, as well as maintaining the cyber security accreditations and reporting to Departmental Boards (ExCo, ARAC and GLD Board) for the standard of security
• Direct line management of 6 Digital, Data and Technology experts and indirect management of circa 70+ Digital, Data and Technology professionals
• Working with colleagues to build the right culture within the digital function and in GLD more broadly
• Overseeing the digital budget, ensuring value for money
• Accountable for leading the organisations technical strategy, including the design, build and management of core infrastructure, ensuring that the organisation remains secure and resilient
• Accountable for developing and delivering the Digital and Data architecture strategy, designing technical services, and selecting platforms and technologies to meet GLDs requirements and user needs
• Accountable for leading and delivering all aspects of Digital and Data programmes and portfolios. Deliver outcomes as outlined in GLDs strategy, prioritising and resourcing work activities as required
• Identifying, experimenting with, and creating demand (where appropriate) for emerging technologies and innovation that help the organisation to deliver its outcomes, including in artificial intelligence
• Shaping our approach to legacy technology, including measuring and improving business critical services, and replacement of services
• Iterating an approach to digital development including blueprints, patterns, standards, governance arrangements and tooling
• Ensuring that the delivery and business impacts of all digital decisions are aligned to the organisations and wider government digital standards
• Building strategic, collaborative and constructive relationships with key stakeholders and suppliers to drive maximum success
• Improving core technical competencies such as enterprise, solution, data, cyber security and business architecture
  
  

• Demonstrable experience in successfully establishing, leading and scaling a high performing Digital and Data function, with a track record of delivering complex technical solutions at pace. (Lead)
• Deep expertise across a range of technologies, including (but not limited to) software engineering, cybersecurity, data integration, data management and AI
• Significant experience in software development and infrastructure architecture, with a portfolio of designing and delivering large scale digital services.
• Proven experience defining and implementing a clear strategy for digital and data transformation, including the design and delivery of the core infrastructure needed to enable long term success and future proofing.
• Experience in building and maturing enterprise architecture functions, including appropriate governance, processes and tooling to enable scalable and sustainable design decisions.
• Demonstrated success in recruiting, developing and leading diverse and inclusive multidisciplinary teams of digital and technology professionals.
• Skilled in building trusted relationships and working collaboratively with a wide range of stakeholders, including senior leaders, executive boards and delivery partners across complex organisations.
• Experience in managing large scale supplier relationships and overseeing complex budgets, ensuring value for money and alignment with strategic goals.