Digital Manager (Ref: 23800)

Job summary

Job description

Business Area

Corporate Operations Group - Knowledge and Information Management

Role Title

Digital Manager

Terms of Appointment

Permanent

Band

SEO

Location

Northern Ireland or London

Erskine House, 20-32 Chichester St, Belfast BT1 4GF or

1 Horse Guards Road, London, SW1A 2HQ

Occasional travel between Belfast and London will be required.

Vacancy Manager

Mary Duggan

Applications Invited From

External Candidates and Existing Civil Servants on level transfer and promotion

New entrants to the Civil Service will be expected to join on the minimum of the pay range.

Existing Civil Servants will have their salary calculated in accordance with the Department’s pay on transfer / pay on promotion rules.

The national starting salary range is £42,914 The London starting salary is £49,325. Your salary will be dependent on your base location

BACKGROUND

The Northern Ireland Office supports the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland in promoting the best interests of Northern Ireland. We make sure that Northern Ireland interests are represented within the UK Government and that UK government responsibilities are fully and effectively represented in Northern Ireland. We are the centre of expertise on Northern Ireland issues across Government.

The Northern Ireland Office employs around 170 staff, with offices in Belfast and London. As a small Department, we adopt a flexible project-based approach to ensure that we have the right people, with the right skills, in the right place to support the delivery of our key objectives.

Due to our structure and size, we are able to offer extensive exposure to Ministers and the opportunity to work on a far wider portfolio of policy and responsibilities than might be the case in a larger department. This creates an interesting and stimulating work environment.

Our key priorities are set out in our Operational Delivery plan and include:

• Supporting greater inclusion, tolerance and openness in Northern Ireland
• Contributing to a safer Northern Ireland, where terrorist and paramilitary groups are less able to cause harm to communities
• Ensuring that governance in Northern Ireland is responsive, transparent and able to deliver effective public service.
• Addressing the legacy of the past in Northern Ireland

For more information about what we do:

Visit:https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/northern-ireland-officehttps://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ministry-of-justice.

ABOUT THE ROLE

The NIO's records cover a period of immense importance in the political life of the United Kingdom. From the imposition of direct rule in 1972, through to the signing of the Belfast / Good Friday Agreement in 1998 and beyond, all the key issues affecting the people of Northern Ireland are displayed in fascinating detail.

An exciting leadership opportunity has arisen within the Digital Team of the Knowledge and Information Management (KIM) team at the Northern Ireland Office (NIO). This role is pivotal to driving the Department’s commitment to innovation, openness, transparency, and compliance with Public Records legislation.

In our busy office, you will oversee the development and day-to-day management of our digital services. As our go-to expert, you will introduce new ways of working and technologies—including Google Workspace and AI tools—to keep us modern and efficient. If you are an inquisitive, driven leader who wants to help shape our digital future, this is a great environment for you.

Duties and Responsibilities

The main responsibilities of the role include but are not limited to:

• Strategic Leadership: Guide and improve how our teams use information and record-keeping tools, ensuring everyone has the reliable support and services they need to work effectively.
• Process Improvement: Design and oversee the key stages of an employee's journey—from onboarding to offboarding—making sure our processes for data security and information management are efficient and well-managed.
• Training & Capability: Lead the strategy for how we train our staff to use digital tools, specifically driving the adoption of Google Workspace, Gemini, and our Content Management systems.
• Collaborative Governance: Work closely with partners across the Knowledge and Information Management team and the wider government to align our goals, manage information risks, and promote best practices.
• Data Innovation: Lead projects to move data from older legacy systems to modern platforms, establishing clear standards that ensure our information is accurate and easy to use.
• Strategic Partnerships: Act as the main contact for our relationship with The National Archives (TNA), planning and managing the transfer of our digital records to meet national standards.
• Line Management & Team Leadership: Directing, upskilling, and managing digital team staff to maintain high performance, establish clear goals, and optimise resource deployment in line with departmental standards.
• Operational & Contract Delivery: Oversee or assist with the operational management of digital assets, third-party IT/digital contracts, and associated service delivery budgets to ensure value for money.

Essential Criteria

The post holder will need to demonstrate the following in their application and at interview:

• Proven experience leading digital technology initiatives or information systems management within a complex, fast-paced corporate environment.
• Proven communication and stakeholder management skills, with a demonstrable ability to influence senior leadership, manage third-party suppliers or operational contracts and deliver complex technical briefings clearly.
• Advanced technical knowledge of digital record-keeping architecture, information compliance frameworks, and systems integration.

Desirable Criteria

• Extensive experience designing and managing the full lifecycle of digital and paper records, with deep technical knowledge of sensitivity review.
• Understanding the application of the Public Records Act 1957 and 1968, Freedom of Information Act 2000, and GDPR / Data Protection Act 2018.
• An accredited postgraduate Information Management / Governance Qualification.

BEHAVIOURS

We will assess you against the following Success Profiles behaviours for the SEO level during the application sift and interview process:

• Managing a Quality Service (Lead Behaviour): Work with senior stakeholders to establish departmental priorities and digital performance metrics. Anticipate operational risks, identify systemic flaws, and dynamically shift resources to maintain excellent delivery.
• Making Effective Decisions: Clarify your department's thoughts and plans regarding digital data; sit comfortably with complexity, and choose the best course of action using comprehensive evidence and digital insights.
• Working Together: Build influential professional networks across department boundaries and external bodies (like TNA). Foster an inclusive, high-performing environment where diverse perspectives are integrated into digital delivery.
• Delivering at Pace: Ensure the digital team's effort