Lead Technologist - GDS - G7

Location

Bristol, London, Manchester

About the job

Job summary

The Government Digital Service (GDS) is the digital centre of government. We are responsible for setting, leading and delivering the vision for a modern digital government.

Our priorities are to drive a modern digital government, by:

joining up public sector services
harnessing the power of AI for the public good
strengthening and extending our digital and data public infrastructure
elevating leadership and investing in talent
funding for outcomes and procuring for growth and innovation
committing to transparency and driving accountability

We are home to the Incubator for Artificial Intelligence (I.AI), the world-leading GOV.UK and at the forefront of coordinating the UK’s geospatial strategy and activity. We lead the Government Digital and Data function and champion the work of digital teams across government.

We’re part of the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) and employ more than 1,000 people all over the UK, with hubs in Manchester, London and Bristol.

The Government Digital Service is where talent translates into impact. From your first day, you’ll be working with some of the world’s most highly-skilled digital professionals, all contributing their knowledge to make change on a national scale.

Join us for rewarding work that makes a difference across the UK. You'll solve some of the nation’s highest-priority digital challenges, helping millions of people access services they need

Job description

The Lead Technologists in GDS exist to make building and buying great technology easier in the UK Public Sector. In this role you will work to set strategies, principles, standards and identify best practice, as well as supporting the adoption and embedding of these into the public sector, helping digital and data colleagues in these organisations deliver transformational change. 

You will be aligned to a Grade 6 Principal Technologist who will mentor and support you as well as set you challenging tasks to further your team’s objectives.

As Lead Technologist you will be supporting a product team including principal technologists, engagement leads and a delivery manager to:

undertake research, input into and shape a 10-year intent and strategy for the field you are aligned to, and support colleagues in gaining cross-government endorsement for this
work with stakeholders to shape government digital strategy, translating complex technical concepts into straightforward language to influence strategic decision makers. This includes drafting strategy papers, guidance, and delivering presentations to senior stakeholders and ministers.
identify and or develop existing principles, standards and best practice and promote them, or form and lead a group of technologists from across UK Public Sector to create these
work with vendors to maximise their offer to UK Public Sector, and with Crown Commercial Service in commercial engagements with vendors
build a network of peers across UK Public Sector to regularly engage with
promote your work through content written for GOV.UK, speaking engagements and hosting community events
help upskill others in GDS and DSIT in your specialist area

The above list of job duties is not exclusive or exhaustive and the post holder will be required to undertake such tasks as may reasonably be expected within the scope and grading of the post.

Person specification

This role requires that:

you should be excited about thinking long-term and helping deliver technology-related change, particularly within local government.
you must have a technical background and be able to use this experience to build credibility with others, evaluate proposals and decide an execution approach
you have strong written and verbal communication skills, and are able to translate complex concepts into straightforward language with ease
you should have some experience working with technology suppliers
you should be comfortable presenting to senior stakeholders, both technical (e.g. Principal DDaT professionals) and non-technical (including SCS and ministers)
learning should be embedded in the way you approach your working week, and you should be keen to share your learning with those around you
you should be at the top skill levels in your Digital & Data specialism, most likely from the Architecture, Data, IT Operations or Software Development groups.
you should hold or be working towards relevant industry certifications for your technical specialism.