Assistant Director - Digital, Data & Technology

Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman

Manchester

  • Location Manchester
  • Sector Regulation & Professional Standards, IT
  • Client Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman
  • Job Type Permanent
  • Salary/Remuneration Circa £90,000
  • Reference GSe124262
  • Closing Date Sunday 17 August 2025 (23:55)

At the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman (PHSO), we are on a bold journey to transform our services and strengthen public trust. As the independent national ombudsman for the NHS in England and UK government departments, we make final decisions on complaints that have not been resolved elsewhere, helping to drive justice, learning, and systemic improvement.

As we continue our exciting digital transformation journey, we are seeking an Assistant Director of Digital, Data & Technology (DDaT). A pivotal senior leadership role within our 75 strong DDaT directorate, you will report to the Chief Digital and Transformation Officer (CDTO) and help drive our shift to becoming a truly data driven, digitally enabled organisation ensuring usability, accessibility, resilience and innovation are embedded in everything we do.

You will lead multi-disciplinary teams spanning Architecture, Cyber Security, Data, Digital and Enterprise Services. From modernising legacy systems and embedding agile ways of working, to championing emerging technologies and ensuring robust data governance, your leadership will shape how we serve complainants, MPs, and the public sector organisations we investigate.

You’ll bring expertise across Digital, Data and Technology, good supplier management experience, and an understanding of service design (with knowledge of Government Digital Service (GDS) principles). Just as importantly, you will be a compelling communicator and inclusive leader capable of building collaborative teams in a maturing digital landscape.

This is a high impact leadership role at the heart of public service transformation. You will be part of a values-led organisation that plays a vital role in improving public services and delivering justice at a national scale, a great opportunity for an emerging or established digital leader looking to take the next step in their career. Could it be you?

Essential criteria

Enterprise-Level Transformation Leadership

Demonstrable experience leading digital transformation at an enterprise level, ideally within complex or low digital maturity environments. Experience in public sector or regulatory settings is advantageous but not essential.

Agile and Iterative Delivery Expertise

Proven ability to support organisations transitioning from traditional delivery models to agile, iterative approaches, embedding agile principles and practices in hybrid or evolving delivery environments.

Strategic DDaT Leadership and Influence

Experience building, leading, and evolving multidisciplinary DDaT teams - across any of data, architecture, cyber, digital, and enterprise services - with a leadership style that is inclusive, collaborative, and focused on capability development. Able to communicate complex digital and data concepts clearly and credibly across all levels of the organisation, building momentum for change and engaging diverse stakeholders.

Data and Technology Enablement and Governance

Demonstrable experience in supporting the development and implementation of data and technology strategies that enable secure, scalable, and user-centred services. This includes a strong understanding of cyber security principles and a track record of ensuring systems, platforms, and services are resilient and secure by design, while improving data quality, accessibility, and insight generation.

Commercial and Supplier Management

A track record of managing supplier relationships and contracts effectively, with sound commercial judgement and experience applying public procurement frameworks to ensure delivery, value for money, and accountability.

We recognise the value of lived experience. If you have experience of complaining about any public body, we strongly encourage you to apply.

We know the value of having diverse, representative teams across our organisation. Which is why we particularly encourage applications from candidates who are likely to be underrepresented within the team. These include people who are:

  • Asian, Black, Mixed Ethnicity or another ethnic background
  • disabled
  • LGBTQ.

Closing date for all applications is Sunday 17th August 2025 at 23:55

For a confidential discussion about the role and to find out more about the application process, please do contact us and we will be delighted to speak with you Email: PHSO@gatenbysanderson.com Or call Martyn Brereton on 07586 715531 Or Sarah Luxford on 07812 150386

Should you have any queries about the application process, please contact Toria Lorman-Connolly on 0113 205 6062 or via Toria.Lorman-Connolly@gatenbysanderson.com

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Documents

  1. Statement of Suitability Guide - AD DDAT PHSO.pdf
  2. Applicant Declaration Form.docx

Contacts

Sarah Luxford: 07812 150 386
Martyn Brereton: 07586 715 531

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