Job description

The MCA is seeking a new Executive Director of Information & Technology to drive a substantial team; building and leading a strategy to deliver the organisation’s objectives of Maritime Safety, Growth and Innovation. 
This is a nationally high profile, substantial and challenging role with significant involvement in the Government’s digital agenda as well as leading on cutting edge digital strategy. 

The Executive Director of Information & Technology will: 

• be accountable for designing and delivering the digital, data and technology (DDaT) strategy and plan, prioritising and resourcing work activities as a key member of the senior leadership team; 
• lead the function, inspiring others and creating a team that each individual feels proud to be a part of; 
• shape and transform the way we do our business, developing the capability to provide better online services to the taxpayer and customer to achieve faster and more effective models of delivery at optimal cost; 
• be a key educator, challenger and strategic advisor to the Executive Team on MCA’s current and future digital requirements. 

Key Priorities and Responsibilities 

As the Executive Director of Information & Technology, you will have the following key priorities: 
1. Lead the organisation away from its current legacy systems, implementing a more modern, flexible, dynamic approach; 
2. Rationalise legacy applications and build strategic platforms to help join up working across the organisation, our partner organisations and Whitehall, improving collaboration; 
3. Encourage the digital transformation of customer journeys, championing the needs of users; 
4. Open up the organisation’s data, supporting both commercial innovation and better policy-making. 
You will engage and lead people as well as position the organisation in the crossgovernment agenda, playing a full role across Whitehall and supporting smaller government departments. This will include building relationships with other government bodies in order to support capability development. 

Key responsibilities; 

• Agree the strategic direction and business priorities for the development of the department’s technology, ensuring that digitally driven solutions and services are fully supported by the right architectures and systems, and that dependence on existing legacy systems and contracts is dramatically reduced. 
• Provide strong leadership and support at a senior-level for IT and digital technology solutions that can transform the department’s current and future business programmes. 
• Driving delivery of the Agency's change programme, making sure it remains aligned with the strategic direction of the organisation and meets the challenges of the spending review commitments. 
• Drive the flexible, cost effective transformation of the department’s technology estate using appropriate development techniques, open source solutions, and open standards to create secure digital services. 
• Lead the recruitment and embedding of a sustainable digital capability across the department, and a complementary culture change strategy to widen staff awareness of digital approaches and tools. 
• Create a robust governance and performance culture, setting clear objectives and outcomes, encouraging trust and holding people accountable for delivery. 
• Work with the Cabinet Office, HM Treasury, Government Digital Service and others as the organisation’s leader on Digital, Data and Technology to exchange excellent ideas, develop cross-government strategic direction and deploy shared services. 
• Deliver high quality, stable and resilient live IT services; strategically manage supplier contract. 
• In addition, the post carries accountability for knowledge sharing, transparency, data management and business continuity. 

Please see attached candidate information pack for further details about the role.

Benefits Pensions

Civil Service pension schemes may be available for successful candidates.

Things you need to know Security

Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is security check.

Nationality statement

Candidates will be subject to UK immigration requirements as well as Civil Service nationality rules.

If you're applying for a role requiring security clearance please be aware that foreign or dual nationality is not an automatic bar. However certain posts may have restrictions which could affect those who do not have sole British nationality or who have personal connections with certain countries outside the UK.

Selection process details

The below is the list of documents that we require for a full application: 

1. A CV setting out your career history, with key responsibilities and achievements. 

2. A statement of suitability/covering letter (no longer than 1-2 sides maximum) explaining how you consider your personal skills, qualities and experience relevant for this role. We recommend paying particular attention to the Essential Criteria listed in the pack. Please find our guide on writing a suitability statement attached. 

3. Supporting Information form 

4. A Guaranteed Interview Scheme form (if applicable) 

5. A diversity monitoring form 

In order to apply for this role you must submit all relevant documents to [email protected] 

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

Nationality requirements

Open to UK nationals only.

Eligibility

Candidates in their probationary period are eligible to apply for vacancies within this department.

Working for the Civil Service

The Civil Service Code sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.

We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles.

The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equality of opportunity. There is a guaranteed interview scheme (GIS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.

Apply and further information Contact point for applicants

For further information on this vacancy please contact - [email protected]

Sift/interview dates and location

At this stage, the expected timetable is: 

Longlist (at MCA)- 21st June 

Global Interviews (at MCA)- W/C 24th June 

Shortlist (at MCA)- 8th July 

ILAs (TBC)- W/C 8th & 15th July 

Final Interviews/Appointment (tbc)- W/C 22nd July 

Please note it may not be possible to offer alternative dates for either the assessments or interview. 

If successful and transferring from another Government Department a security check may be carried out.

Further information

Applications must be submitted by 23:59 on the closing date. Late applications will not be accepted. 

Any move to the Department for Transport (DfT) will mean you will no longer be able to carry on claiming childcare vouchers. 

In line with the Senior Civil Service recruitment principles, existing Civil Servants on promotion will receive the greater of £70,000 or a salary uplift of 10%. For level transfers, salary will remain the same.