Cyber Talent Capability Manager

Job summary

GDS

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:

1. joining up public sector services
2. harnessing the power of AI for the public good
3. strengthening and extending our digital and data public infrastructure
4. elevating leadership and investing in talent
5. funding for outcomes and procuring for growth and innovation
6. 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.

Please note

Former DSIT recruitment campaigns are continuing as usual, but candidates should be aware that following the Government’s announcement on the changes to some civil service departments, roles will be subject to the machinery of government moves and will ultimately be in one of the new departments. We will provide more information if you are selected for a role. This work remains of high importance to the civil service, and we thank you for your continued interest.

Job description

This role sits in the Capability and Partnering team, part of the Government Digital and Data Workforce and Capability team in Government Digital Service (GDS).

We put the right conditions in place to achieve Government Digital & Data and Cyber transformation at scale by working cross-government with departments and other government functions like commercial and project delivery professionals.

The Capability and Partnering team is responsible for talent development across the Digital and Data Function and the Cyber Profession (both cross-government), with this role predominantly focused on cyber talent.

We’re looking for SCS Cyber Talent Capability Managers to join our high impact Senior Talent team. You’ll be supporting the development of the Senior Civil Service (SCS) within the Government Cyber Profession.

In this role, you’ll be at the heart of talent capability work for senior leaders across departments. You’ll collect, own and continuously improve our talent data, drive delivery and work with stakeholders at the highest levels.

Person specification

Key Responsibilities

As a Cyber Talent Capability Manager, you will:

Confidently manage and use talent data, ensuring our SCS talent dataset is accurate, robust and up to date via our rAPId platform. You’ll work closely with analysts to improve data quality, generate insight and lead key processes such as annual talent data commissions, succession planning and workforce planning activity.

Lead cross-government engagement, partnering with departments and senior stakeholders to build trusted, productive relationships. You'll ensure clear, consistent communication and maintain high-quality records that support strategic engagement and decision-making.

Deliver and improve talent approaches, helping to grow a diverse and capable pipeline of senior cyber and digital leaders. You’ll implement and review talent management tools, support leadership development offers and contribute to our inclusive leadership priorities.

Drive delivery across a portfolio of projects and programmes, planning ahead, adapting quickly and reporting on progress to ensure the delivery of high quality, reliable services. You will use talent data, stakeholder intelligence and evidence to identify risks, opportunities and future capability needs.

Provide leadership and direction, aligning work across the senior talent space and effectively deputising for the team lead when needed. You’ll act as a role model for collaborative, inclusive and effective leadership.

This is an exciting opportunity to shape how we identify, support and grow our senior cyber and digital leaders who are driving real change in the public sector. Come and join us and make a real difference!

Essential Criteria

We are interested in people who have:

Experience of owning, gathering, interpreting and using complex data to support effective decision making and planning, including identifying risks and opportunities for improvement using evidence based insights to inform talent management activities

Excellent communication and influencing skills, with experience working confidently with senior stakeholders across organisations. Able to manage large volumes of complex information, communicate clearly and persuasively, and build and maintain trusted, productive relationships.

Experience of leading delivery across multiple projects or workstreams, effectively prioritising and managing interdependencies, while maintaining attention to detail and delivering to a high standard.

Experience of working with and within diverse teams, showing initiative and a proactive approach to resolving issues. Contributing to a positive, inclusive team culture and championing diversity, equity, and inclusion, supporting efforts to improve representation across the cyber profession.

Experience of working in, or closely with, HR and people functions, ideally delivering senior-level talent management strategies including the design and delivery of talent, leadership or capability initiatives, workforce and succession planning and/or people analytics, aligned to organisational priorities and stakeholder needs.

Demonstrable experience of using creative and strategic thinking to develop and implement talent development products, services or solutions that meet a wide range of user and stakeholder needs and are aligned to strategic objectives and address functional challenges.

Desirable Criteria

Experience working in, or closely with, the cyber or digital and data professions, with an understanding of the challenges facing senior technical leaders.

CIPD Level 5 (or willing to obtain).

Behaviours

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

• Communicating and Influencing
• Working Together
• Seeing the Big Picture
• Making Effective Decisions
• Managing a Quality Service

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £44,620, Department for Science, Innovation & Technology contributes £12,926 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme.