Head of Digital Governance

Head of Digital Governance
Location: Swansea, Bristol, Birmingham (Garretts Green), Nottingham, Yeading (Hayes), Oldham (Chadderton), Leeds, Newcastle upon Tyne
Salary: £57,515 per annum
Vacancy Type: Permanent, Full Timeor Part Time
Closing Date: Monday 6th July 2026
DVSA is 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
* 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.
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.
Required experience:
* 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.
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
Key Responsibilities
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.
To Apply
If you feel you are a suitable candidate and would like to work for DVSA, please click apply to be redirected to our website to complete your application