Head of Technology

This is a critical high impact leadership role within the UK Hydrographic Office’s (UKHO) Technology Senior Leadership Team (SLT), reporting directly to our newly appointed Chief Digital and Technology Officer (CDTO). 

It is an exciting time for the UKHO’s Technology Division, with around 250 colleagues working with strategic partners to deliver our digital and organisational strategic objectives. The division plays a central role in delivering the UKHO’s vision for 2034, with a complex technology estate and a strong focus on service, delivery and innovation. 

The role will support and work with the CDTO to deliver the Technology strategy and strategic objectives of the UKHO. In close partnership with the CDTO, this role has specific accountability for the Technology platforms. 

This leadership role is responsible for setting and delivering the UKHO’s Technology vision and strategy, alongside the delivery of the enabling technology platforms, in alignment with our strategic objectives and our vision for 2034. This role requires close engagement with the Executive Leadership Team, senior colleagues within the UKHO and key stakeholders within the Ministry of Defence and external partners. This leadership role will act as a role model for technology excellence and delivery; in addition to role modelling leadership behaviours and the UKHO’s cultural and organisational values, ‘The UKHO way’. 

For further information, please check Senior Technology roles at the UKHO

Hybrid working

This senior leadership role can be worked on a hybrid basis, which is an informal, non-contractual and voluntary arrangement, blending a balance between working at the Taunton office at least 3 days a week with working from home. 

• Develop and lead the implementation of the UKHO’s technology strategy (in collaboration with the CDTO who is accountable for defining the overarching strategy).
• Oversee enterprise architecture and ensure alignment with organisational goals.
• Oversee day to day delivery of the operational platforms.
• Evaluate and adopt new technologies to drive innovation and value.
• Ensure operational resilience, cyber security, and disaster recovery.
• Lead strategic technology planning and financial decision-making.
• Build and maintain a high-performing digital and data capability
• Engage with internal and external stakeholders to advocate for technology.
• Support continuous improvement in delivery practices and tools.

This role requires DV clearance and SC clearance at the start.

• Proven experience in successfully leading enterprise wide technology strategy and delivering value and transformation.
• Deep understanding of technology architecture, cyber security and digital delivery.
• Experience in building high-performing digital and data teams.

We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:

• Seeing the Big Picture
• Changing and Improving
• Making Effective Decisions
• Leadership

Alongside your salary of £76,184, UK Hydrographic Office contributes £22,070 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.

At the UK Hydrographic Office, it's very important to us that our people feel valued.  

We offer a huge range of benefits such as training and development, well-being support, flexible/ homeworking, a fantastic state of the art building, high spec equipment, and so much more.  

See our attached Candidate Information Pack for more details. 

This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours and Experience.

How to Apply:     

When you click "Apply Now" at the bottom of this page, you will be required to attach your CV and asked for 750 word supporting statement demonstrating the criteria below.  

Artificial Intelligence: 

Artificial Intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. Please see our candidate guidance for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use. 

Timeline:  

Advert Closes for applications: Friday 12th of December 2025

Shortlisting: week commencing: Monday 15th of December 2025

Interviews - 3 stages to the interview process

Week commencing: Monday 19th of January 2026

1. Fireside chat

2. Colleague Engagement Session

3. Panel interview including 15 minute presentation

Pre-sift Criteria: 

• Please read the Civil Service Nationality rules - are you eligible to work in a reserved post?

Sift/Shortlist Criteria:    

All applications are processed anonymously. You will be short-listed against the following criteria:   

Experience: 

• Proven experience in successfully leading enterprise wide technology strategy and delivering value and transformation (lead criteria).
• Deep understanding of technology architecture, cyber security and digital delivery.
• Experience in building high-performing digital and data teams.

This criteria will be scored against your CV and supporting statement. 

Lead criteria will be used in the event of a large volumes of applications and the event of tie-breaks in scoring. The lead criteria is: Proven experience in successfully leading enterprise wide technology strategy and delivering value and transformation.

Interview Criteria:  

You will be interviewed against the following criteria:  

Experience: 

• Proven experience in successfully leading enterprise wide technology strategy and delivering value and transformation
• Deep understanding of technology architecture, cyber security and digital delivery
• Experience in building high-performing digital and data teams

 Civil Service Behaviours (Grade 6 level): 

• Seeing the Big Picture
• Changing and Improving 
• Making Effective Decisions
• Leadership

See here for further information: Success Profiles: Civil Service behaviours - GOV.UK   

Interview Process:  

1. A ‘fireside chat’ which is an informal opportunity for candidates to meet with Alex Bowen, CDTO, to ask any questions about the organisation and role. This isn’t scored and the content will not contribute to the overall merit order.
2. Colleague Engagement Session. This will involve a panel of colleagues of varying grades from throughout the organisation (including the Technology Division). This session will be observed and scored.
3. A panel interview comprising the hiring manager, Alex Bowen and 2 members of the UKHO Senior Leadership Team. This will include competency based questions around the success profiles behaviours, described below. You will also be asked to prepare and deliver a 15 minute presentation, the topic for this will be provided following shortlisting.

We will try to meet the dates set out in the advert. There may be occasions when these dates change. You will be provided with sufficient notice of the confirmed dates. 

Onboarding Checks:  

In the event you are offered a role with us, you will be required to go through Basic Personnel Security Standard (BPSS) checks which will include Employment and Right to Work Checks. Security Clearance (SC) will need to be obtained prior to the role commencing. You will also need to apply for Developed Vetting (DV) which can be completed while working for us but the offer will remain conditional until DV is gained. Please see our attached Candidate Pack for further details and Terms.

Please note, we are unable to offer visa sponsorship. 

Residency Requirements:  

DV – reserved  

This is a Ministry of Defence reserved post and open to sole UK nationals only. Successful applicants will require Developed Vetting (DV) and therefore need to have resided in the UK for a minimum of 24 consecutive months within the last 10 years.