Chief Digital Information Officer

The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) prosecutes criminal cases that have been investigated by the police and other investigative organisations in England and Wales, making operational decisions fairly and objectively. It sits at the heart of the criminal justice system, working with partners to help keep the public safe. The CPS is a National Organisation made up of over 7,000 people across England and Wales. Almost half of our employees are lawyers, responsible for deciding whether to prosecute cases, and who represent the Crown in many hearings in the courts. The CPS faces many challenges. most of which require joint working across the criminal justice system and with a complex and often high-profile range of stakeholders.About the Digital Information DirectorateThe Digital Information Directorate is made up of approximately 300 members of staff and has an overall budget of approximately £85 million. The goal of this directorate is to ensure that the infrastructure and systems that CPS relies on to function, are maintained and kept in a condition conducive to a successful working environment. Additionally, it is the driving force for digital transformation throughout the CPS, ensuring that the organisation is well positioned to harness new technologies to their greatest extent, resulting in the best service offering possible for the end user. About the RoleAs our newly appointed Chief Digital Information Officer (CDIO), you will have overall responsibility for designing an appropriate and forward thinking operating model to meet our future strategic ambition, as well as defining and establishing a clear performance management process for Digital Information Directorate, regularly driving performance and culture and reporting on this to Executive Group and/or Board as required.You will lead the Digital & Major Projects Group, providing strategic leadership and decision making to guide the Group and provide feedback and assurance into Executive Group and CPS Board. As a member of the Executive Group, you will play an active part in helping to shape the Service’s vision and objectives for the future. You will develop the Digital Information Directorate strategies and business plans that support the CPS's vision, and ensure that the Directorate continues to meet the future needs of the CPS and the wider Criminal Justice System. You will be expected to understand the correct risk appetite of the organisation and provide innovative solutions throughout your tenure, defining and driving objectives regarding digital transformation as well as operational system modernisation. The successful candidate will possess the following skills and attributes:Proven strategic and leadership skills, with the capacity to handle complexity, demonstrate creativity, and inspire staff through periods of uncertainty with honesty and empathy.Experience of leading delivery within both a ‘waterfall’ and ‘Agile’ project management environment and a track record of delivering high performing digital services in complex environments. Demonstrating an appropriate appetite in line with the goal of successful achievement of the wider organisational strategy. Contribute towards the strategic direction and delivery of organisation wide strategy at the ExCo level.Ability to build and maintain credibility across the wider Criminal Justice Sector as well as within the CPS.Champion digital innovation and act as a thought leader for the adoption of AI and other emerging technologies.A degree of comfort with ambiguity, combined with the ability to set up clear processes and functions (e.g., budgetary accountability; contract management; portfolio management) to establish a team with a clear remit that can work effectively across the wider organisation and with functional partners.Experience maintaining the integrity of personnel, physical assets, ICT systems, and data, enabling staff to work safely and securely while safeguarding the rights of data subjects.Proven ability to thrive in a customer-focused environment and fostering a culture conducive to this.A strong appetite for creative and innovative solutions that align with the CPS's long-term strategy.This role is a unique opportunity to shape and drive the organisation's digital transformation, playing a critical role in the future of the CPS at a pivotal time for the Criminal Justice System.For further information or to apply please email [email protected] or contact Rob Johnson or Callum Randle on 020 8253 1806 to arrange an informal conversation.