Deputy Chief Data Officer

Job summary

As Deputy Chief Data Officer, you will support the Chief Data Officer in leading Defra's enterprise-wide data function, helping to shape and deliver the Data and Information Strategic Roadmap 2030 across Defra and its Arm’s Length Bodies (ALBs). Working within a complex, federated organisation, you'll help ensure data is managed as a strategic asset, enabling better services, informed policy decisions and the successful adoption of emerging technologies, including AI.
This is a high-profile leadership role, offering the opportunity to influence data strategy across one of the UK's largest government departments while developing capability, driving transformation and fostering a culture of collaboration and data sharing.

Job description

Key Responsibilities

• Support the Chief Data Officer in leading Defra's enterprise-wide data function and delivering the Data and Information Strategic Roadmap 2030.
• Help shape and implement data strategy, governance and policy to improve the management, sharing and use of data across Defra Group and its ALBs.
• Drive organisational change by embedding modern data practices, improving data capability and promoting a culture where data is treated as a strategic asset.
• Support the leadership and development of the Chief Data Office, building a high-performing team and strengthening Defra's wider data community.
• Work closely with digital, technology, science and analytical leaders to develop data platforms and services that enable better access to data and support Defra's AI ambitions.
• Build strong relationships with senior stakeholders across Defra Group, aligning priorities and delivering a shared strategic vision for data.
• Represent the Chief Data Office internally and externally, influencing senior leaders and championing best practice in data management and governance.
• Support strategic investment decisions across data platforms, programmes and core data capabilities to maximise value and organisational outcomes.

Person specification

We're looking for an experienced and collaborative data leader who can demonstrate:

• A strong track record of supporting and leading enterprise data strategy, governance and transformation within a large, complex or federated organisation.
• Experience influencing senior leaders and building effective partnerships across multiple organisations, disciplines and stakeholder groups.
• Strong knowledge of data governance, information management and the practical application of data as a strategic asset.
• Experience delivering large-scale organisational change, embedding data capability and driving cultural transformation.
• The ability to lead, inspire and develop high-performing multidisciplinary teams while supporting wider organisational capability.
• Experience working closely with digital, technology, science or analytical functions to develop data platforms, services and capabilities.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills, with the credibility to represent the Chief Data Officer and influence at executive level.
• A passion for enabling better decision-making through data and helping organisations

Behaviours

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

• Seeing the Big Picture
• Leadership
• Working Together
• Communicating and Influencing

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £86,000, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs contributes £24,914 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).

• Salary: £86,000 - £117,000
• 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

This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours.

Please follow this link for further information on applying for this role:

https://executive.global-resourcing.com/defra/

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.This role has a minimum assignment duration of 3 years. An assignment duration is the period of time a Senior Civil Servant is expected to remain in the same post to enable them to deliver on the agreed key business outcomes. The assignment duration also supports your career through building your depth of expertise.

As part of accepting this role you will be agreeing to the expected assignment duration set out above. This will not result in a contractual change to your terms and conditions. Please note this is an expectation only, it is not something which is written into your terms and conditions or indeed which the employing organisation or you are bound by. It will depend on your personal circumstances at a particular time and business needs, for example, would not preclude any absence like family friendly leave. It is nonetheless an important expectation, which is why we ask you to confirm you agree to the assignment duration set out above.

Security

Successful candidates must undergo a basic (or equivalent) criminal record check.People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.

Nationality requirements

This job is broadly open to the following groups:

• UK nationals
• nationals of the Republic of Ireland
• nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window)
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
• individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
• Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nation