Director of Digital and Technology

As Director of Digital and Technology of our inter-Borough shared service, you will be responsible for shaping and delivering digital transformation for Kingston and Sutton. This role will require an individual who can build relationships and develop and deliver complex digital change projects across services and alongside senior leaders in the organisations. You will be expected to provide inspirational leadership to those for whom you are directly responsible as well as to wider stakeholders through your influence and leadership impact. Innovation, creativity and collaboration are key to driving the transformation required, discovering the art of the possible by pushing at boundaries and overcoming barriers, whilst managing risk so there is responsibility and accountability at all levels across both organisations. As an experienced digital and technology leader, you will drive delivery and digital adoption, and oversee key technological advancements to cement our future, including AI, cybersecurity, data strategy, and business system renewals. With a new strategic focus on data and AI, including the recruitment of a new Head of Data and the implementation of a new data strategy, you will play a key role in maximising the impact of these initiatives. Additionally, you will provide strong management oversight of your team, ensuring a well managed and responsive technology function, not only for efficiency, but to deliver advancements in service delivery to our residents. Artificial Intelligence and data analysis will be central to this role, particularly in transforming how the councils use data to improve services for our residents. This role offers a high profile opportunity to drive change with the passionate support of both councils, and the chance to build on and invest in our digital capability. You will have the opportunity to network externally and build upon our existing London-leading work, in particular relating to automation and IOT, to cement our position as a key member of the London Office of Technology and Innovation. To succeed in this role, you will be a visionary leader with a strong track record in digital and IT transformation within a complex organisation. You will have: Significant experience in leading IT and digital strategies at a senior level, preferably within the public sector. A deep understanding of emerging digital technologies, AI, and data strategy, and their application in local government services. Strong leadership and people management skills, with the ability to inspire and develop high-performing teams. Proven ability to push AI and data capability while maintaining strong relationships across both councils and external partners such as LOTI and GDS. Experience consolidating IT estates, managing legacy tech migration, and driving innovation and creativity in service delivery. Experience in improving portfolio management, pipelining, and delivery, ensuring digital initiatives align with council priorities. Strong stakeholder engagement and communication skills, fostering trust and confidence at a senior level, and the ability to operate externally as a high profile representative of our organisation. A strategic mindset focused on balancing the needs of both councils while driving efficiency and delivering measurable outcomes as part of a digital and technology transformation. Proven ability to drive delivery, capacity, and capability within teams while leading large-scale transformation initiatives.

The Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames and London Borough of Sutton offer thriving places to live, work, study and visit. Our communities are a vibrant cross-section of society and, for the most part, are thriving. But like all communities, we have those who require a larger range of services in order to ensure their health, safety and prosperity. Our diverse resident groups mean that we must deliver to a broad range of customer needs, in an increasingly challenging financial environment. As a result, our digital and technology functions and our future transformation have never been more important.