Head of Digital Workplace

UKRI: CIO Group Salary: £70,752 Band: UKRI Band G Contract Type: Open ended Hours: Full-time (Flexible working patterns available) Location: Swindon - Hybrid working available Closing Date: Sunday 7th December 2025 About the role Provide leadership of the Digital Workplace function within the Cloud & Technology Platforms team, ensuring the delivery of secure, modern, and user-focused collaboration and productivity solutions throughout the business. This role is responsible for spearheading strategic change in the ways UKRI staff operate, communicate, and collaborate, guaranteeing that all initiatives are closely aligned with organisational objectives and the overarching Group CIO strategy We are evolving the operational model within Cloud & Technology Platforms to concentrate more on activities that set the business apart, collaborating with partners where it makes sense to delegate transactional tasks. Our priority is to enhance operational efficiency and position ourselves as a centre of excellence for technology delivery Your responsibilities: Leadership & professional development of Digital Workplace function Own and deliver the Digital Workplace roadmap, aligned with UKRI's strategic objectives and CIO priorities. Champion adoption of modern workplace technologies including End User Device services, Microsoft 365, Teams and emerging collaboration platforms Represent Digital Workplace at internal and external forums Management of a team of 20 staff across multiple locations Champion the continued adoption of communities relevant to areas of responsibility Ensure alignment with the security and architecture teams with respect to implementation of security controls and architectural principles Deputise for Deputy Director Technology Services as required Proactively develop and maintain the strategic partnering model with respect Digital Workplace services Contribute to the formulation of strategic plans to ensure that the Cloud & Technology Platforms function is delivering in line with UKRI strategic objectives Stay abreast of relevant industry trends and new technologies, making a case to incorporate within the estate where appropriate Develop effective network with peer group, UKRI Group IT colleagues, DSIT and wider agency community Own Balance score card & KPI dashboard reporting for function to senior stakeholder community Determine strategic, operational and financial plans for area of responsibility Contract & supplier/partner management for all Digital Workplace product areas Management of Digital Workplace budget, identifying and delivering efficiencies through consolidation and realising economies of scale Technology & process experience and delivery Asset management experience - Software & End User devices Diverse experience in collaboration technologies & services Experience of delivering process automation through digital change initiatives Strong experience of delivering secure, cost effective, enterprise scale End User device products and services using modern device management technologies (e.g. Intune) Strong experience of Information security principles & best practice Experience of delivering improved business productivity / efficiency from the effective exploitation of collaboration services Experience of a federated IT delivery model Proactively identify technology related risks, taking appropriate action to mitigate or resolve Define, develop and iterate standard operating procedures, policy & processes that support the Digital Workplace function and wider Group IT Demonstrate a proactive commitment to continual improvement Personal Specification The below criteria will be scored during Shortlisting (S), Interview (I) or both (S&I). Essential Deep expertise in digital workplace technologies and enterprise collaboration platforms (S&I) Proven leadership in technology functions across multiple locations (S) Strong project management and business case development skills (S&I) Effective communication with senior stakeholders, translating technical concepts for non-IT audiences (S&I) Experience of budget management in excess of £3m (S) High professional credibility and ability to build strong partnerships (S&I) Working knowledge of ITIL and commercial/procurement skills (S&I) Degree qualification or equivalent experience. (S) Benefits We recognise and value our employees as individuals and aim to provide a favourable pay and rewards package. We are committed to supporting employees' development and promote a culture of continuous learning A list of benefits below: An outstanding defined benefit pension scheme 30 days' annual leave in addition to 10.5 public and privilege days (full time equivalent) Employee discounts and offers on retail and leisure activities Employee assistance programme, providing confidential help and advice Flexible working options Plus many more benefits and wellbeing initiatives that enable our employees to have a great work life balance For further information on our benefits please see: Benefits of working at UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) Please apply online, if you experience any issue applying, please contact Recruitment@ukri.org Please note, if you will require sponsorship to work in the UK, as part of your sponsorship application, you and any dependants travelling with you, will be required to pay costs directly to The Home Office for the application before you start your role with us. UKRI is normally able to reimburse some, or all of these fees after you have become an employee and this can be discussed with the Hiring Manager. For more information, please visit https://www.gov.uk/skilled-worker-visa/how-much-it-costs or contact Recruitment@ukri.org .UKRI - UK Research and Innovation UKRI is an organisation that brings together the seven disciplinary research councils, Research England and Innovate UK. Together, we build an independent organisation with a strong voice and vision ensuring the UK maintains its world-leading position in research and innovation.Supporting some of the world's most exciting and challenging research projects, we develop and operate some of the most remarkable scientific facilities in the world. We are pushing the frontiers of human knowledge through fundamental research and delivering benefits for UK society and the economy through world-class research, skills and business-led innovation.More information can be found at www.ukri.org . Choosing to come to work at UKRI means that you will have access to a whole host of benefits from a defined benefit pension scheme, excellent holiday entitlement, access to employee shopping/travel discounts and salary sacrifice cycle to work scheme. For more details, visit benefits of working for UKRI . How we support EDI in the workforce At UKRI, we believe that everyone has a right to be treated with dignity and respect, and to be provided with equal opportunities to thrive and succeed in an environment that enables them to do so. We also value diversity of thought and experience within inclusive groups, organisations and the wider community. For further information, please visit 'How we support EDI in the workforce'. Disability Confident Employer As users of the disability confident scheme, we guarantee to interview all applicants with a disability who opt into the disability confident scheme and meet the minimum criteria for the role. We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request accommodation.How to apply Online applications only preferred for this role. Please submit a CV and covering letter which clearly outlines how you fulfil the criteria specified along with your motivation for UKRI and the role. Ensure that the job reference number is included in the filename description of each document uploaded. Note that failure to address the above criteria or submit an application without a covering letter may result in the application not being considered. Assessment will only be based upon the content of your submitted covering letter and CV and not the 'experience' section of the application. UKRI seeks to ensure it creates and maintains a system of openness, fairness and inclusion - a collaborative, trusted environment, which is attractive to and accessible to everyone who is interested in developing their career with us.The role holder will be required to have the appropriate level of security screening/vetting required for the role. UKRI reserves the right to run or re-run security clearance as required during the course of employment.