Head of Geospatial Operations

Job summary

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

Geospatial data is key to delivering modern digital public services and is an exciting growth area for the UK. As Head of Geospatial Operations you will oversee government’s purchasing and delivery of geospatial data and the contracts that enable this, driving innovation and value to the taxpayer.

About the role

This is a senior leadership role, with accountability for a complex, multi-year programme. The postholder will be responsible for bringing together workstreams, projects, governance and delivery activity into a single coherent programme delivery system, ensuring that the programme is well planned, effectively governed and able to progress through key approvals and transition milestones.

Alongside the programme management, the role is responsible for overseeing the successful delivery of value for the public sector from government’s major geospatial contracts, working closely with suppliers and the Government Digital Service Commercial team.

Please note that this role is also available in other existing DSIT locations (including London) for DSIT employees, who are able to apply and retain their current location.

Person specification

You will also lead the team that manages the major geospatial contracts that underpin the UK geospatial ecosystem. You will lead the delivery of the Public Sector Geospatial Agreement (PSGA), working closely with Ordnance Survey to maximise the value of the data that the public sector relies on. This includes oversight of the operation of the National Underground Asset Register (NUAR).

Additionally, you will lead the programme delivering the new strategic requirements for the PSGA and work across government to ensure the contract is used to reduce costs and build innovation. This includes procurement of additional data sets to be made available across the public sector, managing the transition from projects to operational contracts.

You will also lead the management of the Aerial Photography Great Britain (APGB) contract and oversee the Post Code Address File (PAF) Public Sector Licence – owning the delivery of and long-term strategy for these national data assets. You will provide strategic oversight of commercial and contractual activity to ensure alignment with the government's objectives.

Your team will lead the programme of work to bring together these and other geospatial innovations into a coherent offer for the public sector and work closely with policy and commercial teams to drive real value for the UK’s data economy.

As a line manager, you will be responsible for working with your members of staff to define their objectives, as well as managing their development and performance.

Essential Criteria

• Leadership: A strong track record in managing teams across a range of disciplines. Ability to build an inclusive, high-performing culture that drives excellence and collaboration.
  
• Managing a Quality Service: delivering outcomes from providers using contract management expertise and demonstrating value for money and service improvements for users
  
• Communicating and Influencing: Communicating effectively with users and partners across the public sector to represent their needs. Influencing external suppliers, stakeholders and customers successfully to deliver intended benefits.
  
• Project delivery: Experience of playing a leading role in project and programme management, delivering significant outcomes while managing budgets and risks.

Desirable Criteria

• Technical: Experience of working with geospatial data and associated suppliers.

Qualifications

Professional project management qualifications

Behaviours

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

• Leadership
• Managing a Quality Service
• Communicating and Influencing

Technical skills

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

• Project delivery

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £69,675, Department for Science, Innovation & Technology contributes £20,184 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).

The Department for Science, Innovation and Technology offers a competitive mix of benefits including:

• A culture of flexible working, such as job sharing, homeworking and compressed hours.
• Automatic enrolment into the Civil Service Pension Scheme, with an employer contribution of 28.97%.
• A minimum of 25 days of paid annual leave, increasing by 1 day per year up to a maximum of 30.
• An extensive range of learning & professional development opportunities, which all staff are actively encouraged to pursue.
• Access to a range of retail, travel and lifestyle employee discounts.