Skills

Communication Leadership Microsoft 365 Effective Communication Architecture Project Management

Job Specifications

UKRI: CIO Group
Salary: £70,752
Band: UKRI Band G
Contract Type: Open ended
Hours: Full-time (Flexible working patterns available)
Location: Swindon - Hybrid working available
Closing Date: Sunday 7th December 2025
About the role
Provide leadership of the Digital Workplace function within the Cloud & Technology Platforms team, ensuring the delivery of secure, modern, and user-focused collaboration and productivity solutions throughout the business. This role is responsible for spearheading strategic change in the ways UKRI staff operate, communicate, and collaborate, guaranteeing that all initiatives are closely aligned with organisational objectives and the overarching Group CIO strategy
We are evolving the operational model within Cloud & Technology Platforms to concentrate more on activities that set the business apart, collaborating with partners where it makes sense to delegate transactional tasks. Our priority is to enhance operational efficiency and position ourselves as a centre of excellence for technology delivery
Your responsibilities:
Leadership & professional development of Digital Workplace function
Own and deliver the Digital Workplace roadmap, aligned with UKRI's strategic objectives and CIO priorities.
Champion adoption of modern workplace technologies including End User Device services, Microsoft 365, Teams and emerging collaboration platforms
Represent Digital Workplace at internal and external forums
Management of a team of 20 staff across multiple locations
Champion the continued adoption of communities relevant to areas of responsibility
Ensure alignment with the security and architecture teams with respect to implementation of security controls and architectural principles
Deputise for Deputy Director Technology Services as required
Proactively develop and maintain the strategic partnering model with respect Digital Workplace services
Contribute to the formulation of strategic plans to ensure that the Cloud & Technology Platforms function is delivering in line with UKRI strategic objectives
Stay abreast of relevant industry trends and new technologies, making a case to incorporate within the estate where appropriate
Develop effective network with peer group, UKRI Group IT colleagues, DSIT and wider agency community
Own Balance score card & KPI dashboard reporting for function to senior stakeholder community
Determine strategic, operational and financial plans for area of responsibility
Contract & supplier/partner management for all Digital Workplace product areas
Management of Digital Workplace budget, identifying and delivering efficiencies through consolidation and realising economies of scale
Technology & process experience and delivery
Asset management experience - Software & End User devices
Diverse experience in collaboration technologies & services
Experience of delivering process automation through digital change initiatives
Strong experience of delivering secure, cost effective, enterprise scale End User device products and services using modern device management technologies (eg Intune)
Strong experience of Information security principles & best practice
Experience of delivering improved business productivity/efficiency from the effective exploitation of collaboration services
Experience of a federated IT delivery model
Proactively identify technology related risks, taking appropriate action to mitigate or resolve
Define, develop and iterate standard operating procedures, policy & processes that support the Digital Workplace function and wider Group IT
Demonstrate a proactive commitment to continual improvement
Personal Specification
The below criteria will be scored during Shortlisting (S), Interview (I) or both (S&I).
Essential
Deep expertise in digital workplace technologies and enterprise collaboration platforms (S&I)
Proven leadership in technology functions across multiple locations (S)
Strong project management and business case development skills (S&I)
Effective communication with senior stakeholders, translating technical concepts for non-IT audiences (S&I)
Experience of budget management in excess of £3m (S)
High professional credibility and ability to build strong partnerships (S&I)
Working knowledge of ITIL and commercial/procurement skills (S&I)
Degree qualification or equivalent experience. (S)
Benefits
We recognise and value our employees as individuals and aim to provide a favourable pay and rewards package. We are committed to supporting employees' development and promote a culture of continuous learning!
A list of benefits below:
An outstanding defined benefit pension scheme
30 days' annual leave in addition to 10.5 public and privilege days (full time equivalent)
Employee discounts and offers on retail and leisure activities
Employee assistance programme, providing confidential help and advice
Flexible working options
Plus many more benefits and wellbeing initiatives that enable our employees to have

About the Company

UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) is the public sector organisation that invests PS8 billion annually to support the entire research and innovation system. We strive for a society powered and empowered by research and innovation, with economic, social, environmental and cultural benefits for all. We invest in people, places, ideas, innovation and impacts, empowering researchers, innovators and entrepreneurs to turn the many challenges we all face into opportunities, driving up prosperity and wellbeing across the UK and globa... Know more