Head of Digital Workplace

UKRI: CIO Group 
Salary: £70,752 - £78,614 per annum
Band: UKRI Band G 
Contract Type: Open ended 
Hours: Full-time (Flexible working patterns available)  
Location: Swindon - Hybrid working available 

Closing Date: Sunday 4th January 2026

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  

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  or contact