Digital and Transformation Chief Operating Officer - DWP - SCS2

Digital and Transformation Chief Operating Officer - DWP - SCS2

Birmingham, Blackpool, Leeds, Manchester, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, Sheffield

About the job Job summary

The Digital and Transformation Group, Chief Operating Officer (COO), is a key role within our Digital and Transformation Group Executive Team (D&TGET). Along with the Chief Technology Officer (CTO), the COO acts as the Chief Digital Information Officer's (CDIO) spokesperson where necessary.

As COO, you will lead on key strategic objectives, acting as the expert who owns and leads the relationships between DWP Digital, Government Digital Service (GDS), and HM Treasury (HMT).

Join Helen and the panel for a Live Q&A on Tuesday 26th August 2025, at 12 noon.

This virtual session is an opportunity for you to find out more about the role and what it's like leading the Digital Directorate. You'll hear directly from Helen Wylie, who will provide an overview of the role and hold a Q&A session. Event Link

You will lead a challenging agenda, building strong partnerships with other functional leaders (e.g., Commercial, People, Finance, Risk) to develop integrated approaches to problem-solving and drive activity in areas such as:

• Performance and Planning
• Own the complete view of Digital and Transformation Group business, ensuring it's well planned, governed, and delivers a positive return on investment.
• Own the operating model for DWP Digital and Transformation, ensuring it enables effective and efficient delivery for colleagues and customers.
• Deliver an accurate workforce plan for over 4,000 FTE and lead the annual and multi-year (Spending Review) Business Planning processes, ensuring clear and resourced plans to achieve our ambitions, strategy, and vision.
• Develop key performance metrics and Objectives and Key Results (OKRs) that help shape and align future departmental plans.

Governance and Risk Management

• Lead organisational governance, control, and risk management for DWP Digital, identifying issues early and supporting colleagues to navigate them successfully.
• Manage the business of Digital and Transformation Group through the DET, representing the group and providing expertise on Departmental Committees.
• Own and manage the relationship with the Government Internal Audit Agency (GIAA) to ensure effective risk management and implement improvements as needed.

Finance

• Oversee the DWP Digital budget (over £1bn) and headcount (circa 7,000+).
• Collaborate with Finance colleagues to secure necessary funding for priorities.
• Enhance financial and budget management approaches in line with Cabinet Office and Treasury requirements.
• Work with the Commercial Director to ensure value for money from suppliers.
• Provide strategic, budgetary, and delivery advice to the CDIO.

Digital Capability and Capacity

• Partner with DWP People & Capability to develop a diverse, skilled workforce, acting as an intelligent customer.
• Attract and develop top digital talent, utilizing the Digital Academy and managing resourcing strategies including contractors, apprenticeships, and internships.
• Lead professionalisation efforts within the group, creating capability pipelines and opportunities for accreditation and secondment.
• Lead the Business Services Practice to ensure effective management and safety of digital operations.

Communications and Engagement

• Translate the Digital strategy and vision into effective communication and engagement strategies to inform and motivate staff and foster a positive culture.

Person specification

The successful candidate must demonstrate:

• Extensive senior digital and change leadership experience in mission-critical environments.
• Proven ability to influence and manage complex stakeholder relationships at senior and board levels across multi-divisional, multi-site organizations.
• Experience in leading and developing organizational and team capabilities, including recruiting, coaching, and fostering a high-performance culture.
• A successful track record of delivering business value within a significant budget, leveraging change for efficiency and innovation.
• Strong strategic planning skills, with experience in setting and tracking progress through OKRs or KPIs.