Chief Digital, Data and Technology Officer

Role Purpose

The Chief Digital, Data and Technology Officer is the Council's principal authority for all aspects of digital, data and technology. The postholder provides independent, system-level leadership and acts with substantial delegated autonomy to shape and deliver high performing services and organisational capability.

The Chief Digital, Data and Technology Officer will:

• Set and lead a bold vision for digital, data and technology, ensuring alignment with the Council's strategic priorities leading collaboration at pace and scale to deliver successful outcomes in the context of Devolution and Local Government Reorganisation
• Provide influential and visible leadership across Surrey's wider public service system, shaping cross-boundary strategies and enabling integrated, citizen-focused services across multiple organisations.
• Champion innovation, emerging technologies and data-driven decision making to transform services, improve outcomes, and strengthen resilience.
• Represent Surrey County Council at regional and national levels, influencing policy and investment and positioning the organisation as a leader in ethical, inclusive and future-facing digital and data practice.

Leadership & Specific Accountabilities

Corporate & Strategic Leadership

• Act as the Council's most senior adviser on digital, data and technology, providing authoritative, independent strategic advice to the Chief Executive, CLT and Members.
• Exercise significant delegated authority in determining technology investment priorities, enterprise architecture, data governance frameworks and organisational risk posture.
• Shape and continually evolve the Council's long-term digital, data and technology strategy, ensuring it enables large-scale transformation, efficiency, resilience and service redesign.
• Lead the Council-wide digital investment portfolio, ensuring coherence, ROI and alignment with corporate objectives.

System-Level Leadership & Cross-Boundary Impact

• Provide strong system leadership across Surrey's public sector ecosystem, influencing and enabling shared strategies, interoperable platforms and integrated delivery models across partners.
• Lead and/or act as Senior Responsible Officer (SRO) for major multi-agency digital and data programmes with significant financial, operational and citizen impact.
• Represent Surrey at regional and national digital, data and cyber leadership forums, shaping policy, standards and funding opportunities.

Technology, Innovation & Transformation

• Champion the intelligent, safe and ethical adoption of emerging technologies (including AI and automation), ensuring they drive measurable improvements in outcomes, productivity and service quality

Data Strategy, Governance & Capability

• Define and lead an enterprise-wide data strategy, establishing consistent standards, ownership, quality and lifecycle management.
• Oversee development of a modern data platform enabling secure, interoperable data sharing and advanced analytics across multiple organisations.
• Embed strong data ethics, governance and compliance frameworks ensuring lawful, transparent and trustworthy use of data.
• Build organisation-wide data literacy and capability to empower staff at all levels.

Cyber Security & Risk Management

• Provide strategic leadership on cyber security, ensuring robust arrangements to prevent, detect and respond to threats while supporting innovation and operational resilience.
• Ensure all digital and data practices meet legislative, regulatory and assurance requirements.

Operational Excellence & People Leadership

• Lead, inspire and develop the Digital, Data and Technology function, fostering a high-performance culture and ensuring professional standards.
• Ensure services are customer-centric, resilient and deliver measurable value.
• Oversee third-party supplier partnerships, commissioning arrangements and contract performance.
• Ensure digital, data and technology considerations are embedded in business planning, financial strategies and service redesign.

External Leadership, Influence & Reputation

• Act as the external face of Surrey's digital ambition, developing strategic partnerships with industry leaders, academia, government bodies and national programmes.
• Promote Surrey as a leader in digital inclusion, ethical AI, and public sector innovation.
• Secure external investment and influence national programmes to benefit Surrey residents.

Dimensions

The post will be responsible for oversight and management of Revenue (Opex) and Capital budgets of +£20m. Line Management: Leads teams totalling up to 300 staff across IT & D functions.

Knowledge, Qualifications, Skills & Experience

• Significant senior-level experience as a CIO/CTO/CDIO, with proven leadership of a complex, multi-functional Digital, Data and Technology portfolio.
• Demonstrable ability to influence and shape strategy across multiple autonomous organisations with differing priorities and governance structures.
• Exceptional leadership credibility at corporate and political levels, with strong negotiation and relationship-building skills.
• Proven ability to lead and motivate a diverse, hybrid workforce and inspire a culture of innovation and high

Connect2Surrey is a trading style of Surrey & Kent Commercial Services LLP - A joint venture between Surrey County Council & Commercial Services Kent Ltd. Connect2Surrey is an equal opportunities Employment Agency & Business. It positively encourages applications from all suitably qualified and eligible candidates.