Associate Director, Data Production and Supply

Associate Director, National Capability Data Production and Supply

We are pleased to bring to the market the role of Associate Director, National Capability Data Production and Supply at the Met Office.

As our Associate Director, you will lead the development and operations of our computing platforms and data services that are fundamental for weather and climate science, helping the Met Office realise the full potential of supercomputing and AI in weather and climate prediction.

Based in Exeter, you will lead the development and operations of the underpinning technology that enables our products and services through geospatial big data and supercomputing. We encourage applicants wishing to work flexible patterns and will consider hybrid working, compressed hours or other adjustments where operationally feasible.

About the role

As one of the world's leading weather and climate organisations, the Met Office is a world leading scientific institution with a global reputation for excellence in weather and climate science and services. Our work supports everything from daily life and travel, to defence, agriculture, energy and emergency response.

• Lead the development and operations of our platform and data services, including lifecycle management of the technology, and providing direction to advance our National Capability Data Production and Supply capability.
• Balance the deployment of skills and expertise to meet organisational objectives, manage risks that threaten service delivery including cyber security, and ensure behaviours and processes at an organisational level remain fit for purpose to meet customer commitments.
• Deploy an area headcount of 100, ensuring an appropriate balance between maintaining operations, investment in new services and transformation of Met Office capabilities to be fit for the future.
• Work with the Chief Digital Information Officer (CDIO) to successfully deliver the changes arising from the new supercomputing service and ensure these are embedded into the BAU technology organisation, encompassing impacts to the workforce, supplier management and key processes.
• Act as an active member of the National Capability Leadership Team, supporting the delivery of strategy for the whole Met Office.

Our work is life changing, often life saving and always life enhancing. The Met Office is accredited as a "Great Place to Work UK" and has achieved a place on both the UK's "Best Workplaces in Tech" and "Best Workplaces for Women" lists.

Compensation and benefits

Your total reward package is potentially worth in the range of £103,591 annually, which includes:

• Base pay in the range of £74,856 to £82,084
• A discretionary performance related bonus
• Annual leave starting at 27.5 days (plus Bank Holidays) rising to 32.5 days after five years and an option to buy or sell up to 5 days per year
• A relocation package is available.

Essential criteria, skills and experience

• Professional qualification or chartered accreditation in technology or equivalent relevant experience.
• Experience of leading large technology teams (30+) to achieve or exceed operational service KPIs and development milestones, empowering autonomy and fostering active collaboration.
• Financial literacy - proven track record of managing a significant budget (£1 million+) within agreed limits and experience of budgeting and forecasting processes.
• A proven track record of leading critical and complex business and IT change at scale, ideally involving multiple vendors.
• Ability to balance people, technical, financial and timely delivery risks in the development and operations of resilient IT services.

Our selection process

Apply via the Met Office careers website and submit a CV and covering letter/Supporting Statement evidencing your experience against each of the essential criteria. The closing date is Monday 6 April at 23:59. Shortlisted candidates will be invited to an interview on 28 April 2026.

How to apply

Submit your application together with a CV and a Cover Letter/Supporting Statement that uses the CARL method (Context, Action, Result and Learning) to present evidence of experience and skills.

Equal opportunities

We understand that great minds don't always think alike and as an equal opportunities employer we welcome applications from those with all protected characteristics. We recruit on merit, fairness and open competition in line with the Civil Service Code.

Eligibility and security clearance

We can only accept applications from those eligible to live and work in the UK. Security clearance is required: you must have resided in the UK for at least 3 of the last 5 years, with 2 of those years immediately preceding the date of application. You will need to achieve full security clearance within your first 6 months.