Digital Transformation Lead – AR

Job Description:

Digital Transformation Lead

Directorate:
Finance & Corporate Resources
Division: ICT, Digital and Customer Services
Service:
Digital Transformation

Location:

London Borough of Hackney

Reports To:

Director – ICT, Digital and Customer Services
Direct Reports: [Insert as applicable]
Grade / Salary: [Insert]

The Digital Transformation Lead will drive the Council’s digital transformation agenda, ensuring services are efficient, user-focused, and innovative. This senior role combines strategic leadership, programme delivery, and cultural change management, ensuring Hackney Council achieves the benefits outlined in its Digital Strategy.

• Develop and implement the Council’s digital transformation roadmap in line with Hackney’s Digital Strategy.
• Advise and support senior leaders, including Corporate Directors and portfolio holders, on digital strategy and emerging technologies.
• Identify and pilot innovative technologies to improve service delivery and create business cases for investment.

• Lead and manage multi-disciplinary teams delivering complex digital projects across services.
• Oversee all aspects of programme and project delivery: planning, dependencies, risk management, and benefits realisation.
• Ensure governance frameworks and programme management methodologies are applied effectively.
• Apply Agile and iterative delivery approaches to enable rapid, high-quality outcomes.

• Lead and embed the organisational and cultural changes needed for digital transformation.
• Promote a “digital by design” approach across Council services.
• Build capability in teams through mentoring, coaching, and knowledge sharing.

• Develop and maintain strong relationships with internal services, external partners, and suppliers.
• Act as an ambassador for the Council, advocating for digital innovation and service improvement.
• Advise on emerging trends, government initiatives, and best practice in public sector digital services.

• Ensure all digital initiatives align with Council values, including security, financial prudence, transparency, inclusion, and sustainability.
• Contribute to cross-Council initiatives that deliver corporate objectives and meet resident and business needs.
• Provide on-call leadership support on a rota basis, as required.

• Proven track record leading digital transformation programmes in large, complex organisations, ideally in local government or public sector.
• Experience delivering service improvements, efficiencies, and digital innovations.
• Strong leadership of multi-disciplinary teams, with a focus on outcomes and benefits realisation.
• Experience managing stakeholder relationships at senior levels and delivering complex programmes on time and budget.

• Strategic thinking and ability to translate strategy into actionable delivery plans.
• Strong leadership and people management skills, including mentoring and team development.
• Excellent communication, influencing, and negotiation skills.
• Ability to implement Agile and iterative approaches to digital delivery.
• Strong problem-solving, innovation, and change management capabilities.

• Deep understanding of digital technologies, service design, and programme delivery.
• Knowledge of local government operations, public sector priorities, and policy frameworks.
• Awareness of emerging digital trends and government initiatives relevant to public sector transformation.

• Ideally a bachelor’s degree and/or relevant professional qualifications.
• Consideration will be given to candidates with equivalent experience leading large-scale digital transformation.

• Autonomy in strategic planning and programme delivery.
• Influencing stakeholders and guiding organisational change.
• Managing complex digital initiatives with measurable impact.
• Leadership in operational management, risk assessment, and resource allocation.

• Innovative and forward-thinking, able to anticipate organisational needs.
• Committed to high standards of public service, integrity, and professionalism.
• Collaborative, building effective relationships across departments and external partners.
• Politically aware and able to navigate complex stakeholder environments.