Chief Information Officer Defence Intelligence

Chief Information Officer Defence Intelligence

Location: London or RAF Wyton, Huntingdon, UK. Flexible working arrangements and being based at other large/main Defence sites are possible.

Job Summary

Reporting to the Director Strategy and Enterprise in Defence Intelligence (DI), the Chief Information Officer (CIO) is pivotal in shaping and overseeing the information technology strategy for Defence Intelligence. This role encompasses understanding performance against the strategy, maintaining and smoothly operating current IT systems, transitioning away from legacy infrastructure, and ensuring robust cyber security. The Chief Information Officer, Defence Intelligence, is directly accountable to the MOD CIO for providing effective leadership within the Digital Function in DI, coordinating efforts, and supporting wider functional objectives across the Ministry of Defence (MOD).

Dr Naomi Roberts, Director Strategy and Enterprise, Defence Intelligence, will host an online Q&A session on Wednesday 25 February 2026 from 10:00-11:00, offering an overview of the role and answering questions. Candidates can access the meeting via the provided link or contact People-CivHR-SCSCandidateSupport@mod.gov.uk for assistance.

Job Description

The Chief Information Officer Defence Intelligence will be responsible for a range of critical functions:

• Overseeing the reliable daily delivery of information technology products and services that provide strategic advantage to users and the business against adversaries.
• Understanding the broader technology landscape across MOD, wider UK Government, and international partners to identify collaboration and integration opportunities.
• Continuously evaluating and evolving DI’s technology and data blueprint, which guides multi-million-pound delivery programmes, ensuring innovation pull-through and monitoring programme alignment.
• Advising the Director on key investment decisions related to technology and data within DI.
• Assuring and coordinating cyber and information security efforts across DI.
• Representing DI and providing thought leadership on information technology in MOD, cross-government, and international forums.
• Leading the digital function within Defence Intelligence, ensuring coordination and coherence with other digital functional leads across MOD, and delivering priority functional objectives under the direction of the MOD Chief Information Officer.
• Providing oversight for the design and implementation of continuous technological improvements, leveraging solutions from partners and allies wherever feasible, within a highly complex landscape with delivery via external large programmes.

Person Specification

The successful candidate must demonstrate experience and skills against the following essential criteria:

• Experience in collective leadership across and between organisations to achieve shared outcomes.
• Strategic thinking capabilities, with proven success in building, leading, and implementing digital strategy at scale.
• Serving as a trusted technology adviser, with experience advising senior colleagues, managing complex situations, and effectively communicating intricate technology concepts.
• Experience in leading and managing digital teams through periods of significant transformation.
• Being a visible, credible leader with strong leadership presence in both internal and external contexts.
• A solid understanding of evolving digital trends and their potential impact on the Defence enterprise.

Technical Essential Criteria:

• Membership of a professional body (e.g., BCS).

Desirable Criteria (may be used for second sift in event of strong field):

• Experience of Agile development combined with detailed knowledge of package software solutions, bespoke build, and software integration.
• Experience of implementing cyber security and Data Protection best practice.

Salary and Benefits

Alongside a salary of £95,000, the Ministry of Defence contributes £27,521 towards membership of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Additional benefits include tailored learning and development, flexible working options, a culture encouraging inclusion and diversity, and a Civil Service pension with an employer contribution of 28.97%.

Application Process

To apply, complete the online application process via the advertisement by 23:55 Sunday 8 March 2026. This involves submitting a CV (max 2 pages) detailing career history, responsibilities, achievements, and reasons for any gaps. Also, a Personal Statement (max 2 pages) explaining suitability for the role against the person specification criteria. AI tools can support applications, but all content must be truthful, factually accurate, and directly from your own experience to avoid plagiarism.

External candidates new to the Civil Service will undergo a six-month probation period. The role has a minimum assignment duration of 3 years to ensure delivery of key business outcomes and career development.

Security, Nationality, Diversity

Successful candidates must meet developed vetting security requirements. Baseline personnel security standard checks are also required. This position is open to UK nationals only. The Civil Service recruits by merit, embraces diversity, promotes equal opportunities, and runs a Disability Confident Scheme. It also offers a Redeployment Interview Scheme for civil servants at risk of redundancy. The Civil Service is committed to attracting, retaining, and investing in diverse talent.

Key skills/competency

• IT Strategy Development
• Cyber Security Management
• Digital Transformation Leadership
• Stakeholder Management
• Enterprise Architecture
• Programme Oversight
• Investment Decision Making
• Data Governance
• Innovation Adoption
• Government IT Policy