Director General for Digital, Data and Technology

Location: We operate a flexible hybrid working model across the UK, with colleagues linked to one of our core locations in London, Manchester, Newport, Titchfield (Fareham) or Darlington, and working between office and remote throughout the week.

Salary: £150,000

Working Patterns: Flexible working, Full-time

Closing date: Apply before 11:55 pm on Wednesday 10th December 2025

Job description

As the Director General for Digital, Data and Technology, the postholder will set the strategic direction for the organisation’s data, digital, and technology policy, and will be accountable for the protection and mobilisation of the vast amount of data and information held by the Office for National Statistics (ONS).

The postholder will demonstrate an expert understanding of the risks and opportunities across the digital and technology space. They will ensure that ONS is well positioned to effectively navigate this rapidly evolving landscape, building on our expertise in data to deliver our strategic priorities. Among the responsibilities will be the delivery of digital services and operations and the transition away from legacy technology through large-scale transformation of the ONS’s digital infrastructure. With accountability for the protection and security of the organisation’s information, the postholder will implement a resilient data and technology architecture that ensures the systems underpinning the production of ONS statistics are fit for the future.

The postholder will be a key member of the ONS Executive Committee, playing a crucial and highly visible senior leadership role, setting strategic direction and driving the culture, behaviour and performance of the organisation.

Essential Criteria

• Track record of strategic leadership at the most senior levels in the data, digital and technology space, navigating changing organisational context to lead large-scale digital and technological transformation, achieving successful outcomes.
• Deep understanding of how to utilise digital and technology capabilities, leveraging the opportunities, and mitigating against the risks, to build the infrastructure required for organisations to deliver their priorities, and to protect against cyber threats.
• An expert ability to navigate the trade-offs associated with investments across people, systems and infrastructure, extracting maximum value for public money.
• Exceptional communication and influencing skills, with a proven ability to collaborate with a variety of stakeholders to create partnerships needed to meet the organisation’s digital and technology priorities.
• Demonstrable experience of creating high-performing teams, and an innovation-focused culture, to drive forward delivery.

Applications should consist of your CV and Personal Statement combined as one document and uploaded as a single attachment through Civil Service Jobs.

A Curriculum Vitae consisting of:

• Details of your education and/or professional qualifications.
• Full employment history, giving details (where applicable) of budgets and numbers of people managed, relevant key achievements in recent posts.
• Details of your latest remuneration.

A Personal Statement detailing in no more than 2 pages of A4 how you meet the Essential Criteria. We recommend that you give clear examples for each describing your own contribution and the impact and value of your actions.

For more detailed information on the duties and requirements, please view the candidate pack and click the APPLY button below!

In return we offer you:

✔Hybrid working in an organisation voted top in the UK for work-life balance

✔A market leading pension scheme - our employer contribution rate is around 27%

✔ A choice of working patterns *for every role* full-time, part-time, job-share.

✔Maternity, adoption or shared parental leave of 26 weeks full pay (subject to qualifying criteria)

✔Employee Assistance Programmes

✔Diversity Network Groups

✔Mental Health Allies

✔Civil Service Sports and Social club

✔Generous holiday allowance – 25 days annual leave, rising to 30 days after 5 years service in addition to 9 public holidays

✔Blocked out Learning & Development time, with courses & certifications paid for

For more information about this role and to apply, please click the APPLY button to be taken to Civil Service Jobs.