Director of Digital and Data

Natural England

Flexible across England

  • Location Flexible across England
  • Sector Central Government, IT
  • Client Natural England
  • Job Type Permanent
  • Salary/Remuneration £81,000
  • Reference GSe124831
  • Closing Date 23.55 Sunday 19th October 2025

Natural England is the Government’s adviser on the natural environment and plays a central role in delivering the Government’s 25 Year Environment Plan and Environmental Improvement Plan 2023. At the heart of our mission is nature recovery because we know that thriving nature is fundamental to our nation’s health, prosperity, and security.

We are entering a new chapter in our journey as an organisation. As we step up to deliver on ambitious environmental goals, we are modernising how we work harnessing the power of digital and data to deliver better services, make faster and smarter decisions, and empower our people to achieve more for nature.

Our new Director of Digital and Data will be at the forefront of this transformation. Reporting to the Chief Scientist, you will be a key member of our senior leadership team, shaping and delivering our “Destination Digital” strategy. You will lead the modernisation of our digital infrastructure, enhance our data governance and capability, and embed a digital-first culture across the organisation.

This is a pivotal role not just about technology, but about people. You will lead a team of around 50 specialists, raising the confidence and capability of colleagues across Natural England to use digital tools and data insights effectively. You will also build influential partnerships across the Defra group, government, and beyond, ensuring that digital and data innovation is at the heart of how we protect and restore England’s natural environment.

To be successful, you will bring:

  • A track record of leading large-scale digital and data transformation, delivering on time and on budget
  • Strategic vision and the ability to align digital and data strategies with organisational goals
  • Strong technical expertise in digital technologies, data management, cybersecurity and IT infrastructure
  • Inclusive, inspiring and collaborative leadership able to motivate teams, drive cultural change, and build trusted relationships at every level
  • The ability to engage and influence across complex stakeholder landscapes

This is an exciting opportunity to make a lasting difference transforming how a national organisation operates, and enabling our people to deliver better outcomes for nature, now and for the future.

If you are motivated by our mission and inspired by our ambition, we would love to hear from you.

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