Department for Science, Innovation and Technology
Head of Government Cyber Implementation
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Head of Government Cyber Implementation
Head of Implementation – Government Cyber Unit (GCU), DSIT
Role Locations: Birmingham, Bristol, Cardiff, Darlington, Edinburgh, London, Salford
About DSIT
At DSIT, we transform lives through science and technology. We accelerate innovation, investment, and productivity by leveraging world-class research and development to deliver meaningful societal change. Our mission aligns with five core national priorities:
- Kickstarting economic growth
- Making the UK a clean energy superpower
- Taking back our streets
- Breaking down barriers to opportunity
- Building an NHS fit for the future
Our focus remains unyielding: improving lives through cutting-edge solutions—whether that’s advancing medical treatments, disrupting energy systems, improving public services, or ensuring online safety.
The Inclusive Environment
We prioritise flexibility, well-being, and sustainability. Our commitments include:
- Flexible working arrangements, wellbeing support, and exceptional pension benefits
- Disability Confident Leader status – we actively support candidates through tailored adjustments and embrace diverse perspectives
- Events and resources: Workshops and hiring insights via DSIT Careers LinkedIn or this application sign-up link
Job Overview
The Government Cyber Unit (GCU) manages cyber security risk across government departments and bodies. This transformational moment focuses on shifting from strategy to delivery through the Government Cyber Action Plan (GCAP).
As Head of Implementation, you will oversee a multidisciplinary team addressing systemic cyber risks by diagnosing barriers (technical, organisational, capablity, or policy) across government departments. Successful leadership here means:
- Combining strategy with delivery within the constraints of limited central influence.
- Empowering specialist G7 leads to autonomously tackle focused domain challenges while maintaining portfolio coherence.
- Operating collaboratively with Partnering & Communications, Technical Advisory, Security Engineering, and Programmes.
You’ll report to the Deputy Director of Cyber Solutions while deputising as needed.
Key Responsibilities
1. Develop Strategic Solutions to Systemic Cyber Risks
- Analyse cross-government cyber risk using GovAssure and engagement findings.
- Design interventions addressing root causes in collaboration with senior stakeholders.
2. Empower a Team of Specialist G7 Leads
- Lead through delegation, coaching, and trust—not control—while maintaining strategic focus.
- Ensure structural coherence across the portfolio and remove barriers for team ownership.
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3. Prioritise and Manage the Implementation Portfolio
- Collaborate with the Accountability Directorate to align interventions with GCAP milestones.
- Instil discipline and trade-off in prioritisation, ensuring focus on high-impact solutions.
4. Coordinate Cross-Functional Delivery
- Co-ordinate contributions from Technical Advisory Group (TAG), Partnering, and other GCU teams without assuming ownership.
5. Build the Evidence Base
- Embed historical hypotheses, success criteria, and structured learning into all interventions.
- Feed findings into policy development and operational models to improve future approaches.
6. Deputise for the Deputy Director
- Represent the team in senior governance and participate in GCU’s on-call rota.
- Manage Solutions portfolio and relate to government stakeholders on behalf of DD.
7. Leadership Obligations
- Set development objectives, manage performance, and mentor your team.
Person Specification
Essential Criteria
- Expertise: Proven cyber security or digital resilience experience, credible with CISOs and technical teams across both strategic and hands-on domains.
- Systems thinking: Ability to develop policy or solutions for complex, multi-organisational challenges, not just deliver predefined projects.
- Empowerment: Strong tracking record in leading through coaching, autonomy, and trust—enabling specialists to drive work independently.
- Strategic prioritisation: Skilled in making value-aligned decisions—balancing scale, impact, and constraints in mixed portfolios.
- Communication: Clarity in presenting technical and policy challenges to non-existent stakeholders, and translating strategy into actionable plans.
Desirable Criteria
- GBPS familiarity: Experience with NCSC workforce, GovAssure, or related assurance frameworks.
- GCAP knowledge: Understanding of Government Cyber Security Strategy and GCAP deployment.
- Agile methods: Fluency in iterative delivery in governance-intense environments.
Core Behaviours Assessed
- Leadership
- Changing and Improving
- Working Together
Salary and Benefits
Salaried at £69,675 p.a. with:
- Enhanced pension contributions (Civil Service Defined Benefit scheme).
- Flexible working options including:
- Homeworking/flexible benefits/inclusive leave.
- 25–30 days’ paid leave per year.
- Plenty of professional development support.
Location and Work Pattern
Hybrid: Must attend office 40–60% of the time (minimum 40% monthly, subject to booking). Neutral locations in:
- [Birmingham, Bristol, Cardiff] (GBPIRS Centre)
- [Darlington] (St James Business Centre)
- [Edinburgh] (The Executive Centre)
- [London] (Parliament Square)
- [Salford] (St Mark’s Library)
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Selection Process
Applications are filtered against Experience + Behaviours using Success Profiles.
-
Sift Check:
- CV + Personal Statement reviewed initially.
- Large applications might be evaluated solely on CV quality.
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Interview:
- Behaviour-based questions.
- Presentation requirement (details later).
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Schedule to be confirmed pending volume.
Reasonable Adjustments and Accessibility
DSIT is a Disability Confident Leader. We commit to:
- Support during recruitment (accessibility-friendly adjustments).
- Available guidance dokuments on DSIT Disability Awareness.
Contact through provided email to discuss reasonable requests.
Security and Vetting
- Successful candidates undergo Developed Vetting (DV).
- Criminal Record Check (Enhanced Disclosure).
- Base level security clearance required.
Eligibility
Matrix-POS-able to:
- UK/ROI/EU/EEA/Israel/South Africa nationals with right to work in UK.
- Border authorities’ job categories accurate.
Note: DSIT does not sponsor visas for this specific campaign.
Further Insight
- Vetting Charter.
- Recommendations on National Security process.
- Equality and diversity consultancy: Civil Service 50–50 Violence Framework, Veteran Allies Scheme, and confidence for military/ex-prisoner applicants.
Contact & Rights
DSIT Recruiter Support: recruitmentsupport@ics.gov.uk Scheme Crisis Line: Please embark nominations during assessment.
Applicants must have their organisations process initial checks if applicable via independent routes.
Terms & Conditions
Ensure consideration here before applying. Parent document also attached. See hyperlink form
Customer Notice & Offers Avoiding childcare benefits transition domain: Discontinued vouchers domestically (including inter-, but Salvation schemes such as TFC are available). Further guidance: HMRCtax.
-- For civilians relocating, compliance to civilian legal requirement is expected. Candidates are solely accountable for any misrepresentations. Membership with Civil Service Code applies without exempt. Under Demystifying Conditions, further constraints apply.
This channel remains open regarding specification implications while agility autonomically pertains to existing conditions.
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