Director of Digital & IT
Salary: £105,946 - £115,387
Location: Northumberland (Hybrid)
Contract: Permanent
Closing date: 8 th March 2026
Northumberland County Council is seeking an exceptional digital leader to shape and deliver our vision of a modern, user centred and data driven organisation. This is a pivotal senior leadership role with the opportunity to make a meaningful difference for our residents and communities.
About the Role
As Director of Digital, Data and Technology, you will lead and manage the Council's Digital and Information services, ensuring they enable delivery of our corporate priorities and support a Council that works for everyone. You will develop and implement digital, data and technology strategies that enhance communication, engagement, and service delivery while ensuring value for money and the best use of public funds.
You will drive our digital transformation agenda, shaping a forward looking programme that refreshes IT infrastructure, streamlines processes, and delivers sustainable, long term benefits. Through strong governance and robust risk management, you will safeguard systems, protect individuals and the organisation, and support business continuity.
Working closely with the Director of Transformation, you will lead the development of investment plans, business cases, options appraisals and benefits realisation to support high quality, efficient services. You will also oversee the development of a Council wide data strategy, ensuring that accurate, secure and insightful intelligence underpins effective decision making.
As a key member of the Senior Management Team, you will contribute to corporate leadership, workforce development and organisational excellence promoting a culture of collaboration, inclusion and innovation across the Council and with our partners.
About the Digital, Data and Technology Service
The DDaT service enables the design, delivery and operation of modern, user centred, data driven services across the Council. We provide secure and scalable technology, high quality data and insight, and accessible digital services that support evidence based decision making and improved outcomes for residents.
We work collaboratively across the organisation and with partners to ensure solutions meet user needs, comply with standards, drive continuous improvement and support digital inclusion and growth.
Key Responsibilities
Strategic Digital & IT Leadership
* Act as the Council's principal adviser on digital and information management.
* Provide expert strategic advice to Members, senior leaders and committees.
* Lead horizon scanning and policy analysis to inform future strategy.
* Position Northumberland as an innovative digital leader regionally and nationally.
Digital Transformation & Service Improvement
* Drive major change programmes, including the corporate Transformation Programme.
* Champion user centred digital services that improve access and efficiency.
* Ensure digital solutions support sustainable, high quality, customer focused services.
Investment, Resources & Value for Money
* Lead development of IT investment plans and ensure best use of capital and revenue.
* Oversee resources,budgetsand assets to meet priorities and statutory duties.
* Support business cases and benefits realisation to secure value for money.
Governance, Risk & Business Continuity
* Ensure strong digital, IT and information governance arrangements.
* Maintain robust risk management and business continuity frameworks.
* Fulfil statutory and corporate responsibilities, including emergency planning and elections.
Partnerships & Stakeholder Engagement
* Represent the Council locally,regionallyand nationally.
* Foster collaboration and shared solutions across partnerships.
* Maintain transparent communication and effective Member/officer relationships.
Leadership, Culture & Workforce Development
* Promote an inclusive, values based culture across digital and IT services.
* Act as a visible role model for innovation and continuous improvement.
* Lead, mentor and develop a skilled and resilient workforce.
Why Join Us?
Northumberland is a place of ambition, pride and opportunity. In this role, you will shape the digital future of one of the country's largest counties helping us deliver excellent, accessible and efficient public services that improve the lives of our residents.
Attractive benefits including, generous annual leave, local government pension scheme, Leadership Coaching, Employee Wellbeing support for mental and Physical Health, discounted gym membership
If you are a visionary leader with a passion for public value, digital innovation and high quality service delivery, we would love to hear from you.
For further information
Candidates are asked to send a CV with covering letter outlining how your skills and experience make you a suitable candidate for the role. Please send this to Michelle Pringle at michelle.pringle@northumberland.gov.uk or Sophie Atkin at sophie.atkin@northumberland.gov.uk by the closing date.
Should you require further information or wish to discuss any aspect of the advertised role, please contact Audrey Kingham for an informal professional discussion using the following details:
Anita Bingham, Business Support Officer to Audrey Kingham, at Anita.Bingham@northumberland.gov.uk
We are proud to be an equal opportunities employer. We operate a guaranteed interview scheme for disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria. If you have a disability and would prefer to apply in a different format, please see the alternative methods below. This information will be treated as confidential and will only be used to check that you meet the essential requirements of the post .
Alternative application format:
British Sign Language: northumberlandcc-cs.signvideo.net
For those with speech difficulties or hearing loss: Text relay service dial 018001 01670 623930.