Deputy Director Technology Services

Job description

Job responsibilities

They will manage and improve the security, cost-effectiveness, availability and resilience of the service provision of workplace applications / platforms, IT service management, infrastructure (partnering with Digital DevOps), networks and transitional service agreements with receiver organisations on behalf of CDO for the consumption of all UKHSA staff and receiver organisations, as appropriate; ensuring quality and value for money, coordinating delivery internally and via third-party suppliers and outsourced service providers. Building, leading, and developing an inclusive, high-performing Technology Services team, ensuring that UKHSAs values and culture, together with CDOs customer-centric, agile ways of working, are embedded.

Please find below additional areas of accountability that the post holder will be responsible for:

• Workplace, Infrastructure & Networks and IT Service Management budget holder.
• Leading the provision of resilient secure and cost-effective infrastructure platforms and technical operations in the on-premises estate.
• Leading the Technology Estate for UKHSA, including the delivery of infrastructure platforms and technical operations and, through coordination with the Deputy Director Cyber Security, ensuring the proportionate and timely reduction in cyber risk.
• The resilient, secure and cost-effective provision and operation of UKHSAs Workplace offer, including productivity tools (Microsoft 365) and end user compute services. This includes managing end user devices and server operating systems lifecycles (Gold image, software packaging, updates and upgrades).
• Provision and management of identity and access management services (Microsoft Entra).
• Networking services including LAN, WAN, WiFi and secure access capability. Includes managing connectivity of IoT and laboratory scientific equipment (including IACS) secure connectivity to UKHSA WAN and relevant LANs.
• IT service management (ITSM), including common 1st and 2nd line support functions, as well as delivery design and management, and continual service improvement.
• Workplace, Infrastructure & Networks and Service Management budget holder.
• Putting in place the capability, technical architecture, and services to support the delivery of UKHSAs strategy in relation to the above functions.
• Overarching accountability for stability, resilience, and security of the Technology Services estate across UKHSA, as well as it's compliance with all relevant internal and external policies and standards, including DSPT-CAF.
• Setting the direction for Technology Services development and delivery of the related Technology strategy.
• Overarching accountability for Technology Services delivery of software and infrastructure platforms, products, technical operations, and development.
• Leading on the procurement, supply and negotiation of Technology Services goods and services for UKHSA, in conjunction with legal and procurement professionals, as appropriate.
• Accountable for managing and controlling the lifecycle of all Technology Services related products / platforms / infrastructure, in line with the Enterprise Architecture.
• Leading and develop UKHSAs technology capability, giving clear guidance on priorities and generating commitment to the wider goals of the organisation.
• Accountable for the quality of technologys products, platforms, infrastructure, services, etc.
• Adopting a portfolio view, managing end-to-end services, which include multiple products and channels.
• Operating at scale and provide the connection between multidisciplinary business areas and stakeholders.

The post holder will develop working relationships and communicate regularly with a wide range of individuals, clinical and non-clinical, internal, and external to UKHSA, please see candidate pack for more details.

Selection Criteria

Essential

• A degree in a computing related or technical field, such as Computer Science, Information Technology, Software Engineering, or a closely related discipline. Equivalent practical experience may also satisfy this requirement
• Be a passionate advocate for the customer, with a track record of effecting both step changes and continuous improvements to customer outcomes and experience, as well as efficiencies
• Have significant senior-level experience in an organization-wide, senior IT position and be able to demonstrable exceptionally strong leadership and people management skills
• Bring a track record of transforming a traditional IT organisation, based on a modern products / platforms / cloud-first approach, involving the migration of legacy, on-premises infrastructure, applications and data to the cloud, as well as optimizing a hybrid, multi-cloud environment
• Be a proactive problem-solver, bringing advanced critical and strategic thinking skills, a strong attention to detail, and an in-depth understanding of business processes and the integration of technological processes

Please see candidate pack for desirable criteria

Stage 1: Application & Sift

Success profiles

You will be required to complete an application form. You will be assessed on essential criteria, and this will be in the form of:

• an Application form (Employer/ Activity history section on the application)
• a 1000 word (maximum) Supporting Statement

This should detail how you meet the essential criteria referencing evidence of your experience and skills

You will receive a joint score for your application form and statement. (The application form is the kind of information you would put into your C.V please be advised you will not be able to upload your CV. Please complete the application form in as much detail as possible). Please do not email us your CV. Please do not exceed 1000 words. We will not consider any words over and above this number.

Shortlisting: In the event of a large number of applications we will shortlist on:

• Have significant senior-level leadership experience in an organization-wide, senior IT position and be able to demonstrate exceptionally strong leadership and people management skills
• Be a passionate advocate for the customer, with a track record of effecting both step changes and continuous improvements to customer outcomes and experience, as well as efficiencies
• Be a proactive problem-solver, bringing advanced critical and strategic thinking skills, a strong attention to detail, and an in-depth understanding of business processes and the integration of technological processes

Longlisting: A long list stage may be introduced if we receive a large number of very credible applications

We will longlist into 3 piles.

• Meets all criteria
• Meets some essential criteria but not lead criteria
• Meets no essential criteria

Only those who meet all essential criteria will progress to sift

In the event of a large number of credible applications desirable criteria may be used

Unfortunately, late applications will not be considered

Feedback will not be provided at this stage

Stage 2: Interview (success profiles)

You will be invited to a remote interview

This vacancy is being assessed using Success Profiles. The interview will consist of Technical, Experience and behaviour - based questions

The Behaviours tested during the interview stage will be

• Seeing the Big Picture
• Communicating and Influencing
• Managing a Quality Service
• Delivering at Pace

As part of the interview, candidates will be required to deliver a 5-minute presentation, based on Experience, the topic of which will be confirmed prior to the interview

Interviews will be held week commencing 19 January 2026. Please note these dates are subject to change

Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records

This role is being offered as hybrid working based at any of our Core HQs.

We offer great flexible working opportunities at UKHSA and operate using a hybrid working model where business needs allow. This provides us with greater flexibility about how and where we work, to get the best from our workforce. As a hybrid worker, you will be expected to spend a minimum of 60% of your contractual working hours (approximately 3 days a week pro rata, (averaged over a month) working at one of UKHSA's core HQs (Birmingham, Leeds, Liverpool, and London) or at one of our scientific campus sites (Colindale, Porton and Chilton).Our core HQ offices are modern and newly refurbished with excellent city centre transport link and benefit from benefit from co-location with other government departments such as the Department for Health and Social Care (DHSC)

Security Clearance Level Requirement

Successful candidates must pass a disclosure and barring security check and Basic DBS

Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is Security Clearance

For meaningful National Security Vetting checks to be carried out individuals need to have lived in the UK for a sufficient period of time. You should normally have been resident in the United Kingdom for the last 5 years as the role requires Security Check (SC)

UK residency less than the outlined periods may not necessarily bar you from gaining national security vetting and applicants should contact the Vacancy Holder / Recruiting Manager listed in the advert for further advice

External

Open to all external applicants (anyone) from outside the Civil Service (including by definition internal applicants)

Salary Information

If you are successful at interview, and are moving from another government department, NHS, or Local Authority, the relevant starting salary principles for level transfers or promotions will apply. Otherwise, roles are offered at the pay scale minimum for the grade, but in exceptional circumstances there may be flexibility if you are able to demonstrate you are already in receipt of an existing, higher salary. Pay increases are through the relevant annual pay award for the role and terms

Person Specification

Experience

• Application Form and Statement of Suitability

Behaviours

• Seeing the Big Picture
• Communicating and Influencing
• Managing a Quality Service
• Delivering at Pace

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website.

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants.

Employer details

Employer name

UK Health Security Agency

Address

UKHSA Core Locations

Birmingham B2 4BH, Leeds LS2 7UE, Liverpool L3 1DS, London E14 4PU

Birmingham, Leeds, Liverpool, London

E14 4PU

Employer's website

https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/uk-health-security-agency