Head of Digital Services
Salary75,191 to 90,000 (dependent on experience)Contract typePermanentHoursFull TimeLocationPoole, Dorset, EnglandLocation descriptionHybrid contract - min 2 days per week in Poole.
Interview locationRNLI Support Centre, Poole. (Remote option for initial interview)Closing Date30-09-2026Reference21993About usFor over 200 years, the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) has had a singular purpose: to save lives at sea. Operating from more than 230 lifeboat stations, providing lifeguard cover on hundreds of beaches, and supported by over 50,000 volunteers, the RNLI has saved more than 147,000 lives to date.
As demand for our services continues to grow and evolve, the RNLI is seeking a Head of Digital Services to ensure that the RNLI's live digital services are reliable, resilient, secure and fit for purpose.
By providing strong strategic leadership of Digital "Run", this role will enable the organisation to deliver change and transformation without compromising operational stability or frontline lifesaving services. The OpportunityAs Head of Digital Services, you will be responsible for the strategic leadership, management and assurance of the RNLI's live digital services ("Run").You will hold responsibility for the performance, resilience, security and sustainability of all live services, including application and data support, infrastructure, connectivity, end-user services, service management and operational information security.
As a key member of our Leadership Team, you will partner closely with the CDIO and Change leaders to ensure that digital transformation is operationally viable, supportable and sustainable, and that the organisation can safely absorb change at pace while maintaining stable and reliable services.
About you
As our Head of Digital Services, you will draw on your highly collaborative approach, passion for service excellence and motivation to work specifically for the RNLI. Your application will need to demonstrate: Senior leadership experience running large-scale, business-critical digital services within a complex organisation.
Proven accountability for application support, data support and infrastructure operations. Strong background in IT Service Management, service performance and operational resilience.
Experience managing a run / operational delivery IT and digital function.
Ability to advise and support executive leadership with risk-based, evidence-led operational insight.
Experience operating through periods of significant organisational and digital change. How to ApplyThe RNLI has appointed La Fosse Executive to lead the search for our Head of Digital Services. Clicking on the 'Apply' button below will create an email to Caroline Milburn, Senior Associate at La Fosse Executive who will be handling all initial applications for this search. Please attach your CV to your email and reference 'RNLI Head of Digital Services' in the title.
Alternatively, for a confidential conversation about the role, please contact: Caroline Milburn, Senior Associate, La Fosse Executive [email protected] | 07703 831897Some of the benefitsSalary Up to 90,000 (dependent on experience)Flexible working26 days' annual leave plus Bank HolidaysCompetitive pension scheme Life assuranceHealth cashplan optionSafeguardingThe RNLI is committed to safeguarding; protecting a person's health, wellbeing, and human rights, enabling them to live free from harm, abuse, and neglect.
We expect all employees and volunteers to share this commitment and have a zero-tolerance approach. The suitability of all prospective employees and volunteers will be assessed during the recruitment process in line with this commitment.
This will include relevant criminal record checks being carried out dependent on the eligibility of the role. (England & Wales; DBS check, Scotland; Disclosure Scotland PVG, Northern Ireland; Access NI, Republic of Ireland; Garda Vetting; International, International Child Protection Certificate process).Employment referencesAll offers of employment are made subject to receiving satisfactory employment references. These are only sought after an offer has been accepted and after consent from the new employee.
Diversity at the RNLIOur staff and volunteers have been saving lives at sea without prejudice for 200 years. We respect and value diversity of background, skills and perspectives within our teams, and consider it essential to help us deliver a world-class lifesaving service. We are an inclusive organisation and welcome applications from everyone. In addition to having the skills needed for the role, we also look for applicants who share our commitment to living our RNLI values (trustworthy, courageous, selfless, and dependable), and helping us work towards Our Vision: To save Every One.