Chief Digital Information Officer (CDIO) - DSIT - SCS1

Salford, (Darlington & London by exception)

About the job

Job summary

Building Digital UK (BDUK) is a directorate of the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT), with the mission to ensure fast and reliable digital connectivity for homes and businesses across the UK. BDUK delivers fixed gigabit-capable broadband networks through Project Gigabit and expands mobile coverage through the Shared Rural Network.

The Chief Digital Information Officer will transform how BDUK uses technology, data, and digital services. This role encompasses internal business transformation, professional oversight of standards across BDUK, and ensuring the stability and continuous improvement of existing BAU services. The Chief Digital Information Officer will oversee digital and technology teams and lead cultural change to establish BDUK as a data-led organisation.

Building Digital UK (BDUK) are seeking an exceptional Chief Digital Information Officer (CDIO) to join their work delivering one of the most ambitious national programmes in government – tackling digital exclusion, driving economic growth, and ensuring that people and businesses across the UK benefit from world-class connectivity.

BDUK has developed one of the most advanced data capabilities in government, with over seven trillion mature and accessible data points. As CDIO, you will have the opportunity to harness this capability, shape innovation, deliver large-scale digital change, and play a pivotal role in closing the UK’s digital divide. You will provide strategic leadership across core functions including data, cyber security, and service operations, while being a key member of BDUK’s senior leadership team. This role requires someone able to influence senior executives within BDUK, the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) and across government, while also engaging with technical teams to drive delivery, build capability, and help shape the use of AI and other emerging technologies.

We are seeking a leader with the credibility and experience to drive complex transformation, influence at the highest levels, and inspire multidisciplinary teams. You will bring a proven track record of leading large-scale digital change, excellent communication and collaboration skills, and the resilience to deliver outcomes at pace.

Key Responsibilities

• Define and deliver BDUK’s Digital, Data and Technology (DDaT) strategy, aligning it with organisational priorities and advising senior leaders on opportunities, risks and investment decisions
• Lead the design, build and running of digital services and applications that power BDUK’s core programmes, and embed user-centred design, accessibility and continuous improvement
• Build on BDUK’s data capabilities, ensuring data is secure, well-governed and high quality, and drive the use of data, automation, AI and machine learning to generate insight and improve decisions
• Oversee the performance, reliability and security of core systems and platforms, ensuring robust operations, risk management and compliance with government standards
• Lead and develop a skilled, multidisciplinary DDaT workforce, fostering a culture of collaboration, innovation and continuous improvement
• Represent BDUK’s DDaT agenda across the organisation and the wider government community, championing excellence and capability building

Person specification

• Broad leadership experience across DDaT functions
• Proven track record of leading multidisciplinary teams through complex organisational change or integration
• Ability to set strategic direction and translate vision into clear priorities, while empowering experts across diverse technical domains
• Experience applying data, AI, machine learning and automation to drive innovation and improve outcomes
• Strong grasp of cyber and information security principles, with the ability to manage risk and ensure resilience at a strategic level
• Skilled at influencing and collaborating with senior stakeholders across government and beyond.
• Experience of overseeing a technical telecoms team.