Service Line Owner – Advance

Job summary

Do you have an innate curiosity for how huge data sets and cloud compute could be used to transform how we design and deliver transport?

Are you able to talk to our most technically ambitious customers on their level, comfortably gear-shifting between their strategic vision and the technical diligence to harness massive computing power?

Do you have a passion for collaborative service delivery and the grip to deliver the resources required to bring their plans to fruition?

If so, we’d love to hear from you!

Innovate boldly. Influence widely. Transform digitally. Lead the Advance Service Line and help shape the future of digital innovation across the Department for Transport.

This is an exciting time to join the Digital, Information and Security Directorate within the Department for Transport as we restructure our directorate to ensure we are ready for future challenges, building a more sustainable, skilled and in-house capability.

Joining our department comes with many benefits, including:

• Employer pension contribution of 28.97% of your salary. Read more about Civil Service Pensions here

• 25 days annual leave, increasing by 1 day each year of service (up to a maximum of 30 days annual leave), plus 8 bank holidays a privilege day for the King’s birthday

• Flexible working options where we encourage a great work-life balance.

Read more in the Benefits section below!

Find out more about what it's like working at Department for Transport Central - Department for Transport Careers and within the Government Digital and Data Profession.

Job description

As Service Line Owner for Advance, you will lead a high-profile service responsible for accelerating digital transformation through advanced tooling, innovation, experimentation, and the optimisation of digital capabilities across the Department.

You will set the strategic direction for the service line, ensuring it delivers tangible benefits, supports organisational priorities, and provides the digital foundations needed for future success. Working closely with senior stakeholders, analysts, and delivery teams, you will build consensus, secure investment, and drive the adoption of innovative solutions that improve service delivery and data-driven decision making.

As the accountable leader for service performance, governance, funding, and outcomes for our most technically advanced computing resource, you will create an environment where innovation can thrive while maintaining strong controls and value for money.

This role offers a unique opportunity to influence digital strategy at scale, lead high-performing teams, and shape the future of digital innovation across the Department for Transport.

Your responsibilities will include, but aren’t limited to:

• Agreeing success and quality measures for the service, driving continuous improvement towards these measures.

• Being accountable for delivering a service that enables accelerated digital transformation across the Department through advanced tooling, digital experimentation, and optimisation of existing technologies.

• Being responsible for developing relationships with key functions/professions across the business, e.g. data analysts, HR, to understand what they are doing, understand what they need, and deliver this through the Advance Service Line.

• Informing and influencing stakeholders, getting consensus that enables work to progress.

• Ensuring the delivery of change that realises the outcomes and benefits of your service.

For further information on the role, please read the role profile. Please note that the role profile is for information purposes only - whilst all elements are relevant to the role, they may not all be assessed during the recruitment process. This job advert will detail exactly what will be assessed during the recruitment process.

Person specification

To be successful in this role you will need to have the following experience:

• Enabling accelerated digital transformation
• Knowledge of advanced tooling, digital experimentation, and optimisation of existing technologies
• Effectively balancing innovation with robust governance
• Technical knowledge in translating business solutions and leading the technical design of systems and services
• End-to-end ownership of a complex service, accountable for quality, performance and outcomes
• Setting and delivering a clear service strategy aligned to organisational priorities
• Leading change and continuous improvement to realise benefits and outcomes
• Influencing and building consensus with senior and cross‑organisational stakeholders
• Prioritising work across user needs, business requirements and policy intent
• Establishing effective governance, risk management and assurance
• Securing and managing funding to deliver value for money
• Leading and developing high performing, inclusive teams
• An Agile qualification or be willing to work towards
• Knowledge of data management / governance frameworks (for example DAMA-DMBOK)
• Google Cloud, Cloud Digital Leader foundation certification or Microsoft Azure Fundamentals (AZ-900) certification or equivalent or willingness to work towards
• ITIL 4 Foundation level or willingness to work towards
• Understanding of the GDS Service Standard

Working hours, office attendance and travel requirements

Full time roles consist of 37 hours per week.

Whilst we welcome applications from those looking to work with us on a part time basis, there is a business requirement for the successful candidate to be able to work at least 35 hours per week.

Occasional travel to other offices will be required, which may involve overnight stays.

This role is suitable for hybrid working, which is a non-contractual arrangement where a combination of workplace and home-based working can be accommodated subject to business requirements.

The expectation at present is a minimum of 60% of your working time a month will be spent at either your designated workplace (one of the locations cited in the advert) or, when required for business reasons, in another office/work location/visiting stakeholders. Your designated workplace will be your contractual place of work. There may be occasions where you are required to attend above the minimum expectation.

If you have a question about hybrid working, part time/job share hours, flexible working, travelling for work, or require a reasonable adjustment, please contact the Vacancy Holder during the recruitment process to avoid possible disappointment later in the process should your working arrangements not be compatible with the requirements of the role (see below for contact details).

Visa Sponsorship

DfTc does not offer Visa Sponsorship for this role.

Behaviours

We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:

• Communicating and Influencing
• Delivering at Pace
• Leadership
• Managing a Quality Service
• Working Together

Technical skills

We'll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process: