Deputy Director of Data Technology

Job summary

Deputy Director of Data Technology

UK Research & Innovation

Permanent

£86,731–£96,368 per year

Swindon (1-2 days per week onsite)

UK Research & Innovation (UKRI) is seeking a permanent Deputy Director of Data Technology. This is an SCS1-equivalent position, where you will shape one of the UK’s most significant public data programmes — building the platforms that will power discovery, policy, and innovation for years to come. You will be joining a collaborative organisation with a unique mission to advance knowledge, improve lives, and drive growth, that values inclusion, professional growth, and impact at scale.

Job description

UKRI is investing in the future of research and innovation — and data is at the heart of it. We are building a modern, cloud-native, AI-ready data ecosystem to unlock insights, power discovery, and strengthen UK competitiveness.

We invest £10 billion of public funding each year to support world-class research and innovation. From medicines and climate research to advanced engineering and AI, our investments help advance knowledge, improve lives and drive growth. These projects are undertaken across Universities, companies and other research organisations (including UKRI’s own institutes and centres) in the UK and internationally.

UKRI offers flexible working arrangements, strong commitment to professional development, and an exciting chance to collaborate with talented colleagues across multiple research councils solving challenging problems at the intersection of data, governance, and organisational transformation.

As Deputy Director of Data Technology, you will provide the technical leadership that turns UKRI's data strategy into reality.

Acting as our enterprise authority for data technology, you'll set the standards, platforms and architecture that enable UKRI to operate as a single data-driven organisation. This role sits at the centre of UKRI's ambitions for modern data platforms, AI-enabled insight and trusted research intelligence.

Working closely with the Chief Data Officer, you'll shape one of the UK's most important public-sector data ecosystems. You'll combine deep technical expertise with the ability to influence at scale, driving adoption across councils, programmes and functions without direct line authority.

Person specification

In order to demonstrate your ability to fulfil this role, applicants should be able to demonstrate experience with the following essential criteria within their application:

• Leadership of large-scale data platforms (cloud-native, enterprise environments)
• Experience in complex, federated organisations
• Strong expertise across: Data architecture, Data engineering, Platform delivery
• Track record of delivering transformation, not just strategy
• Experience building and leading high-performing technical teams
• Ability to influence and align senior stakeholders without direct control
• Familiarity with modern data ecosystems, including: Lakehouse platforms, streaming, orchestration APIs and data integration patterns, DevSecOps and platform engineering
• Data governance, privacy, and security-by-design
• Leadership qualities that combine a systems mindset, the ability to operate at scale, strong judgement, a firm but collaborative style – you will have a focus on outcomes and impact, not just technical delivery

For full details on the role, organisation and personal specification, please review the candidate pack.

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £86,731, UK Research and Innovation contributes £25,125 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides (opens in a new window).

• 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%

Things you need to know

Artificial intelligence

Artificial intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. Please see our candidate guidance (opens in a new window) for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.

Selection process details

In order to apply, applicants must submit the following by 17:00 on Thursday 20th August to [email removed].

• A CV (no more than 4 pages is advised).
• A statement of suitability (no longer than 1,250 words) explaining how you consider your personal skills, qualities and experience provide evidence of your suitability for the role, with particular reference to the criteria and Success Profiles in the person specification.
• A completed Mandatory Diversity Monitoring Form – click here to complete.

In addition to this brilliant and fulfilling role, the UKRI will provide you with excellent employee benefits, including eligibility a defined benefit pension scheme (employer contribution of 28.97%) and 30 days annual leave (+ 10.5 public and privilege days).

This role is be based at UKRI’s locations in Swindon, Harwell, or Nottingham (hybrid working policy of 1-2 days per week on site). The UKRI Data team is predominantly based out of the Swindon office location. Unfortunately, relocation costs will not be reimbursed.

We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and communities. We particularly encourage applications from groups currently underrepresented in digital and technology leadership. If you require adjustments at any stage of the recruitment process, please let us know.

For enquiries relating to the role or recruitment process, please contact Allen Lane at [email removed]

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

Security

Successful candidates must undergo a standard (or equivalent) criminal record check.Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is security check (opens in a new window).

See our vetting charter (opens in a new window).People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.

Nationality requirements

This job is broadly open