Chief Officer - Digital and Technology

Job Purpose:

Before applying for this job, it is important that you read the guidance by clicking on this link and the Job Profile attached. These explain the job role and the type of person we're looking for.

Location: Marischal College,
Duration: Permanent, Full Time

Roles that require PVG Membership

Please note that with effect from 1 April 2023, where a role requires PVG membership, candidates will be required to meet the cost of the PVG membership. This applies only to roles with a full time equivalent salary of £30,000 and above. (Teaching roles and jobs at Grade 10 and above (currently £30,030 per annum / £16.50 per hour)

The Council will pay for the PVG membership cost initially, either £18 for existing PVG scheme members, or £59 for non-members, and this cost will be deducted from an employee’s first FULL month’s salary payment.

job purpose/about the role

This is a senior leadership role with responsibility for the Council’s digital and technology ecosystem, spanning strategy, service delivery, modernisation, security and innovation. The postholder will lead the Council’s journey from digitisation to a digitally‑led, data‑driven and AI‑enabled organisation, ensuring technology is a catalyst for better outcomes, inclusion and value for money.

Reporting directly to the Executive Director of Corporate Services, the Chief Officer – Digital and Technology is a key member of the extended Corporate Management Team, building strong relationships with elected members, trade unions, employees, ALEOs, community planning partners and a broad supply chain across public, private and third sectors.

The postholder will:

• Set the strategic direction for Digital, Data, Technology and AI across the Council
• Lead AI‑enabled service transformation and intelligent automation to improve outcomes and release capacity
• Drive modern architecture, platform and cyber resilience decisions that future‑proof the organisation
• Lead and assure delivery through internal teams and digital partner(s), ensuring measurable benefits and excellent service performance

The post holder needs to hold as a minimum:

• Relevant degree or professional qualification and/or extensive experience related to the role.
• Evidence of continued professional development.

The postholder is able to demonstrate:

• Setting and delivering digital and technology strategy in a large, complex organisation
• Designing and implementing customer‑centric digital services, including end‑to‑end service design across online and offline channels
• Leading large‑scale transformation portfolios, including governance, benefits realisation and continuous improvement methodologies
• Building and leading multidisciplinary teams (technology, delivery, architecture, service management, suppliers) and developing talent
• Managing strategic partnerships, procurement and supplier performance, including delivering through external partners
• Strong commercial and financial acumen, budget management and value‑for‑money delivery
• Providing strategic and technical IM&T advice at executive level
• Risk management and operating confidently in complex governance environments
• Practical leadership of cyber security and resilience (risk‑based security, DR/BCP, supplier assurance) consistent with existing security responsibilities
• Experience using data, insight, automation and/or AI to improve customer outcomes and reduce avoidable demand
• Ability to embed responsible, ethical innovation and strong information governance

About Us

Please see the Job Profile for further details.

Aberdeen City Council is an equal opportunities employer and we are committed to equality, diversity and inclusion. For further information, please see our Equality, Diversity, Inclusion and Recruitment pack.

Flexible Working

We are happy to talk flexible working and offer flexible working for most roles in the organisation meaning that many of our employees enjoy the freedom of choosing a working pattern that suits them as much as it suits the organisation.

Disability Confident

We are a Disability Confident Employer.  If you consider yourself to have a disability and think you may require a reasonable adjustment to be made for this part of the selection process, or would like further information in relation to reasonable adjustments, please contact Recruitment@aberdeencity.gov.uk.

Armed Forces

We are a forces-friendly employer, have signed the Armed Forces Covenant and are a gold award recipient in the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme.  We have a specific email address for those in the forces, those who have left the forces, as well as their partners / spouses / families: armedforces@aberdeencity.gov.uk.  We are able to answer questions about jobs and our application / selection process, as well as about our employee support provisions.

Guaranteed Interview Scheme

We have a number of guaranteed interview schemes available to applicants who meet the minimum criteria for the role they are applying for who:

• have a disability as defined by the Equality Act 2010 (all jobs)
• looked after young people, those that are in continuing care or are a care leaver up to the age of 29 (all jobs)
• are aged 16-24 and live in Aberdeen City or have been to an Aberdeen City Council school and are applying for a Modern Apprenticeship (except Trades apprenticeships)
• have done a Foundation Apprenticeship with Aberdeen City Council and are applying for any apprenticeships relevant to the area in which they did their Foundation Apprenticeship
• are New Scots aged 16-24 and are applying for any apprenticeships

Please note that eligibility to work in the UK is dependent on legal status and all applicants must have the right to live and work in the UK.