GatenbySanderson
Associate Director for Digital
Get notified of more jobs like this · No spam, ever
How your CV stacks up
Upload your CV to see how well it fits this job role
?%
Associate Director for Digital
Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS)
Location: Liverpool, Darlington or Remote | Salary: up to £80k + 28.97% pension
Closing Date: 9am, Monday 5th October 2026
This job post will be advertised for a minimum period of two weeks on LinkedIn. After this time please apply directly to https://dbs.gs-attract.com/ until the closing date of 9am, Monday 5th October 2026.
The Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) plays a vital role in protecting the public and supporting safer recruitment decisions across the United Kingdom. Our services help organisations make informed decisions about those working with vulnerable groups, underpinning trust across sectors including health, education, social care and policing. As we continue our ambitious transformation journey, technology and digital innovation are central to how we improve services, enhance customer experience and deliver greater impact. This is an exciting time to join an organisation that combines public purpose with a determination to modernise and innovate.
About the Role
We are now seeking an exceptional Associate Director for Digital to lead the next phase of our digital evolution. Reporting to the Executive Director for Technology and Innovation, you will be responsible for shaping and delivering a clear digital vision that supports organisational priorities while ensuring services remain accessible, secure and focused on user needs. This is a highly influential leadership position operating at the heart of organisational decision-making, with responsibility for translating strategy into tangible outcomes that improve services for customers, staff and partners.
Reasons to use Rodeo
Start with a chat, not a search bar
Grad scheme, placement, apprenticeship? Not sure what you want yet — that's fine. Your agent talks it through with you and turns "I have no idea" into a shortlist.
It searches the market for you
Every day your agent scans the market matching roles against what actually matters to you, not just keywords on a CV.
Only hits
No noise. No "maybe this fits." Just roles with a clear explanation of why they're right — and where to focus when applying.
You will oversee the end-to-end development, operation and continuous improvement of digital services, ensuring they meet the highest standards of quality, accessibility and performance. Working across multidisciplinary teams, you will champion modern delivery approaches, embed user-centred design principles and create an environment where innovation thrives. As DBS continues to modernise its operating model, you will play a leading role in driving cultural change, strengthening digital capability and ensuring technology remains a strategic enabler of organisational success.
Key Responsibilities
- Strategic Leadership: Shaping and delivering a clear digital vision that supports organisational priorities.
- Service Development: Overseeing the end-to-end development, operation and continuous improvement of digital services.
- Innovation: Championing modern delivery approaches, embedding user-centred design principles.
- Cultural Change: Driving cultural change, strengthening digital capability and ensuring technology remains a strategic enabler.
- Stakeholder Influence: Influencing senior stakeholders and delivering high-quality digital services.
Get help with your application
Your very own career expert that helps elevate your application to the next level.
Requirements
- Strong track record of leading large-scale digital transformation programmes within complex environments.
- Experience of shaping organisational strategy and delivering high-quality digital services.
- Ability to inspire teams, develop capability and build strong partnerships across government, suppliers and wider stakeholders.
About You
The successful candidate will bring a strong track record of leading large-scale digital transformation programmes within complex environments. You will have experience of shaping organisational strategy, influencing senior stakeholders and delivering high-quality digital services that achieve measurable outcomes. Equally important will be your ability to inspire teams, develop capability and build strong partnerships across government, suppliers and wider stakeholders.
Why Join Us?
This role offers a rare opportunity to combine strategic leadership with genuine public impact. As Associate Director for Digital, you will help shape the future of a nationally important organisation, ensuring that digital services continue to support safeguarding, build public confidence and deliver lasting value for society.
For further information contact: dbsdigital@gatenbysanderson.com
“It took my CV and asked me questions relevant to understanding what kind of jobs to suggest for me. Suggestions were almost perfect. Jobs were exactly what I’ve been looking for.”
Jessica, London