OCU Group is transforming the way technology enables our business. As part of this journey, we are reshaping Group IT into a Digital Office a strategic capability designed to power growth, scalability and operational excellence across the organisation.
At the heart of this transformation sits Digital Engineering: the function responsible for building the platforms, products and capabilities that will support OCU’s continued expansion in the UK and internationally.
We are now looking for an experienced Group Digital Engineering Director to lead this critical function based in Preston, an exciting new opportunity.
The Group Digital Engineering Director (GDED) is a senior leadership role with global responsibility for Digital Engineering across OCU Group.
This role will lead the development of a high-performing, scalable engineering organisation that delivers reliable, high-quality digital platforms and products. You will play a pivotal role in executing OCU’s platform-first strategy, ensuring our digital capabilities support operational performance today while enabling the company’s international growth ambitions.
Working as a key leader within the Digital Office, you will collaborate closely with peer departments:
Digital Engineering – building platforms and products
Digital Transformation – driving change and adoption
Digital Technology – deploying and running services
As Group Digital Engineering Director, you will provide strategic leadership across the Digital Engineering function, including:
* Engineering Delivery (software engineering, QA, DevOps and release management)
* Data Engineering and analytics platforms
* Digital Labs and innovation/R&D
Leading through senior “Heads of” roles, you will be accountable for engineering outcomes across multiple platforms, teams and regions.
Key responsibilities
* Setting the strategic direction for Digital Engineering
* Establishing engineering standards, patterns and guardrails
* Ensuring predictable, high-quality delivery of platforms and products
* Driving platform reuse, consistency and long-term sustainability
* Acting as a senior advocate for digital platforms across the organisation
* Translating business priorities into clear engineering direction
* Building, mentoring and developing senior engineering leaders
* Partnering closely with Digital Transformation and Digital Technology
* Supporting international expansion through scalable engineering approaches
Skills, Knowledge and Expertise
You are an engineering‑literate executive with experience leading complex, multi‑disciplinary technology organisations.
You combine strong technical judgement with the ability to influence senior stakeholders, translate business needs and champion digital platforms across a diverse operational business.
You’re comfortable operating at both strategic and organisational leadership levels, developing teams while ensuring engineering excellence.
We welcome candidates from a range of industries, but you will likely have experience such as:
* Leading large, multi‑disciplinary engineering or platform organisations through senior leaders
* Operating in technology‑enabled operational or asset‑heavy environments
* Owning or shaping engineering standards, delivery quality and platform sustainability
* Driving adoption of digital platforms or products across a large organisation
* Translating between technical teams and senior business stakeholders
You may come from engineering‑led, product‑led or technology‑enabled operational businesses.
This is an opportunity to shape the future of engineering within a rapidly growing international organisation.
You will play a critical role in building the digital platforms that will power OCU’s next phase of growth while creating a modern, high‑performing engineering culture that delivers lasting impact across the business.
About OCU Group
At OCU, we don’t just deliver infrastructure, we engineer the future. As a leader in end‑to‑end solutions for the utilities, digital and energy sectors, we specialise in safely and efficiently tackling complex challenges for our clients. With unrivalled expertise, industry‑leading technology and a proven track record, we’re not simply part of the market, we’re driving it forward.
Our work underpins the critical services communities across the UK rely on every day. From accelerating the transition to renewable energy to building the digital networks of tomorrow, we are committed to innovation, sustainability, and long‑term impact.
When you join OCU, you’ll discover more than a career, you’ll find purpose. Here, your contribution makes a visible difference in the success of the projects you help deliver, in the growth of your colleagues and in the positive change we create together.
We partner with some of the UK’s most recognised names in power, energy transition, water, telecoms and digital infrastructure. As we continue to expand, we’re looking for exceptional people to grow with us.
If you’re ready to inspire, innovate and lead with purpose, we’d love to hear from you.
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