£81,000 per year, The salary for this post is within the Defra SCS 1 pay band of which this is the minima.
Contract Type:
Permanent
Hours:
Full time
Disability Confident:
Yes
Closing Date:
16/04/2026
About this job
The Rural Payments Agency: We support sustainable farming, environmental outcomes and rural resilience as a delivery body for Defra and the 25 Year Environment Plan.
We help farmers and land managers deliver economic growth, environmental sustainability and innovation, while improving our services and developing our people to achieve government objectives.
The role: This is a rare opportunity to shape a major public organisation’s future at a pivotal moment.
As senior leader for data, you will drive RPA towards being a truly data‑led Agency and be central in delivering Defra’s wider digital and data ambitions.
You will build strong and trusted data foundations, lead the development of advanced analytics, and bring innovation including AI and geospatial intelligence into day‑to‑day operations.
Your leadership will improve the experience of our customers, strengthen outcomes for rural communities, and support colleagues to make better, faster decisions.
This role is for someone wanting to set direction, inspire change and leave a legacy.
Key responsibilities
* Lead a modern, end-to-end data service
* Protect public money through stronger assurance
* Grow RPAs geospatial and mapping capability
* Drive strategic insight and forward planning
* Strengthen cross-government collaboration
* Champion ethical and secure use of data
* Lead transformation and innovation
* Build influential partnerships across the system
Proud member of the Disability Confident employer scheme
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