Head of Digital Governance

Job title - Head of Digital Governance
Business area - Digital and Data
Working pattern - Flexible working, Full-time, Job share, Part-time
Number of jobs available - 1
Locations: Bristol, Swansea, Leeds, Nottingham, Newcastle, Oldham, Birmingham or Yeading.
Salary: £57,515

Job Summary

DVSA are investing in the foundations that support a strong, modern digital function-from the way we govern and assure delivery to how we build trust in our services and data. We're growing a team that can shape and strengthen how digital work gets done, and we're looking for leaders who bring clarity, consistency, and confidence to how we manage change.

This role is part of the Digital & Data Hub-a centre of expertise designed to improve how we recruit and develop digital talent, embed better governance, and support business areas with expert advice and insight. Whether it's setting clear routes through governance forums, improving how we assess digital risk, or supporting portfolio delivery teams, you'll play a key role in making sure DVSA delivers smarter, more joined-up digital services.

You'll work closely with colleagues across Driver, Vehicle, Enforcement, and Common Services, helping teams navigate complexity, stay aligned to strategy, and make decisions with the right information at the right time. We're building a high-performing, inclusive digital culture-and this is your chance to help shape how it operates.

If you're motivated by improving delivery standards and want to help others succeed through clear, practical governance-you'll feel right at home here.

Joining our department comes with many benefits, including:

• Employer pension contribution of 28.97% of your salary. Read more about Civil Service Pensions here
• 25 days annual leave, increasing by 1 day each year of service (up to a maximum of 30 days annual leave), plus 8 bank holidays a privilege day for the King's birthday
• Flexible working options where we encourage a great work-life balance.

Read more in the Benefits section below!

Find out more about what it's like working at Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency - Department for Transport Careers

Job description

The Head of Digital Governance will lead a small team responsible for maintaining oversight of DVSA's digital portfolio. You'll ensure that digital activity is delivered responsibly, aligned with organisational goals, and supported by sound decision-making and assurance.

Based in one of our administrative offices (Bristol, Newcastle, Swansea, Nottingham, Oldham, Birmingham, or Leeds), this role requires a blend of strategic thinking, relationship management, and professional credibility in governance and assurance.

Key Responsibilities:

• Leadership: Guide and support a small team of governance and assurance professionals, creating a culture of integrity, collaboration, and constructive challenge.
• Governance Oversight: Own the digital governance framework and ensure it reflects best practice, government standards, and the evolving needs of DVSA's digital teams.
• Assurance & Risk: Be the go-to expert for digital assurance-ensuring our projects are accountable, well-documented, and set up for success from the outset.
• Project & Programme Practice: Maintain and evolve our programme and project delivery standards, ensuring they're usable, proportionate, and aligned with recognised methodologies like MSP and PRINCE2.
• Senior Engagement: Work alongside directors, service owners, and external partners to maintain trust and alignment across DVSA and the wider Department for Transport family.

For further information, please see the attached Role Profile.

Great line management is important to us as an organisation, and we will equip and support line managers to develop the skills they need. We aim to empower line managers to create teams where people can flourish and deliver excellent outcomes for the public.

For further information on the role, please read the attached role profile. Please note that the role profile is for information purposes only - whilst all elements are relevant to the role, they may not all be assessed during the recruitment process. This job advert will detail exactly what will be assessed during the recruitment process.

Person Specification

Required experience:

We are looking for a dynamic and experienced professional to join our team as the Head of Digital Governance. This role is perfect for someone who thrives in environments where they can work with high levels of autonomy and bring structure and rigour to areas that need it most.

You have extensive experience and a deep understanding of governance and policy compliance. Your background in project and programme methodology is robust, and you have a proven track record of working with and influencing Executives or Board level colleagues. Your advice is not just sound but authoritative, and you are known for your excellent communication, presentation, and facilitation skills. You have used assurance functions to inform decision-making effectively and have set standards and processes that enable and monitor quality.

Additional Information

Full time roles consist of 37 hours per week.

Whilst we welcome applications from those looking to work with us on a part time basis, there is a business requirement for the successful candidate to be able to work at least 30 hours per week.

Occasional travel to other offices will be required, which may involve overnight stays.

This role is suitable for hybrid working, which is a non-contractual arrangement where a combination of workplace and home-based working can be accommodated subject to business requirements.

The expectation at present is a minimum of 60% of your working time a month will be spent at either your designated workplace (one of the locations cited in the advert) or, when required for business reasons, in another office/work location. There may be occasions where you are required to attend above the minimum expectation.

If you have a question about hybrid working, part time/job share hours, flexible working, travelling for work, or require a reasonable adjustment, please contact the Vacancy Holder during the recruitment process to avoid possible disappointment later in the process should your working arrangements not be compatible with the requirements of the role (see below for contact details).

Visa Sponsorship

Please note that we do not hold a UK Visa & Immigration (UKVI) Skilled Worker Licence sponsor and are unable to sponsor any individuals for Skilled Worker Sponsorship. Candidates must ensure they have the appropriate rights to work in the UK before application.

Offered Benefits

Being part of our brilliant Civil Service means you will have access to a wide range of fantastic benefits:

• Employer pension contribution of 28.97% of your salary. Read more about Civil Service Pensions here
• 25 days annual leave, increasing by 1 day each year of service (up to a maximum of 30 days annual leave).
• 8 Bank Holidays plus an additional Privilege Day to mark the King's birthday.
• Access to the staff discount portal.
• Excellent career development opportunities and the potential to undertake professional qualifications relevant to your role paid for by the department, such as CIPD, Prince2, apprenticeships, etc.
• 24-hour Employee Assistance Programme providing free confidential help and advice for staff.

Find out more about the benefits of working at DfT and its agencies (opens in a new window).

How to apply:

Our selection process ensures a comprehensive assessment of each applicant's qualifications, skills, and potential fit within our organisation.

The selection process for this role will be:

Stage 1: Sift of CV and personal statement

Stage 2: Interview

You must be successful at each stage to progress to the next stage.

Stage 1: Sift

At sift, you will be assessed against the following Success Profile element:

• Experience - you will be asked to provide a CV (unlimited wordcount) and personal statement (500-word count). Please provide evidence of your Experience of the following:

1. Extensive experience and working knowledge of governance and policy compliance
2. Experience of successfully working with and influencing Executives or Board level colleagues giving sound and authoritative advice and support.

The sift will take place week commencing 6^th July.

Stage 2: Interview

At interview stage, you will be assessed against the following Success Profile elements:

Behaviours:

• Seeing the Bigger Picture
• Leadership

Experience:

• Extensive experience and working knowledge of governance and policy compliance
• Experience of successfully working with and influencing Executives or Board level colleagues giving sound and authoritative advice and support.

The interviews will take place week commencing 20^th July.

This interview will be conducted online via Microsoft Teams. Further details will be provided to you should you be selected for interview.

You can find out more about our hiring process, how to apply, and application and interview guidance on our careers site (opens in a new window).

Please note that we will try to meet the dates set out in the advert. There may be occasions when these dates will change.

Further information on the selection process

Feedback on your application can only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

We will also hold a 12 reserve list for this role, which may lead to potential opportunities beyond the role you applied for. You can read more about our reserve lists here.

Should we receive a large number of applications, we may invite a shortlist of the highest performing candidates to interview.  This means that some applications that meet the required standard could be placed 'on hold' after the sift and invited to interview if the vacant position(s) remain unfilled.  You will be notified if your application is being put 'on hold' once the sift has been completed.  

Appointments for this position will be made in order of merit. If you are successful in the selection process but there are no further available posts for the advertised role, you may be contacted to discuss an offer for a lower graded role (with similar experience and responsibility requirements).  

If you are unsuccessful in the selection process, your application may be considered for a lower graded position if your demonstrated skills and experience meet the requirements of the alternative position. Candidates will be considered in order of merit.

AI Tools and Platforms

Artificial Intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action.  Please see our candidate guidance for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.

Further information

If you feel your application has not been treated in accordance with the Recruitment Principles and you wish to make a complaint, in the first instance, you should contact Government Recruitment Services via email: dftrecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk. If you are not satisfied with the response you receive from the Department, you can contact the Civil Service Commission: Visit the Civil Service Commission website.

For further information please contact Kyle Fitzgerald at Sellick Partnership.

Link to the DVSA Job Advert: https://www.civilservicejobs.service.gov.uk/csr/jobs.cgi?vxsys=4&vxvac=

Sellick Partnership is proud to be an inclusive and accessible recruitment business and we support applications from candidates of all backgrounds and circumstances. Please note, our advertisements use years' experience, hourly rates, and salary levels purely as a guide and we assess applications based on the experience and skills evidenced on the CV. For information on how your personal details may be used by Sellick Partnership, please review our data processing notice on our website.