Digital, Data & Technology Director

Role Overview

• Define and deliver an enterprise wide digital, data and technology strategy aligned to EWR Co’s mission and future operational needs.
• Lead the development and implementation of a digital, data and technology operating model in conjunction with multiple partner organisations operating across multiple digital and cyber environments.
• Act as strategic owner of EWR Co’s digital ecosystem, ensuring coherence and interoperability across platforms, architecture, governance and standards.
• Shape EWR Co’s organisational strategy by being a thought leader and championing the best use of moder, scalable digital and data practices and building a user-focused and ‘digital first’ culture.
• Be a trusted adviser to the Board, Executive and Senior Leaders in the business.
• Lead and own digital delivery across the organisation, ensuring digital services and ways of working support both infrastructure delivery and future railway operations.
• Identify and develop new digital capability and systems that build on and complement existing digital engineering excellence, for example through our Building Information Management and Digital Twin tools.
• Oversee and prioritise digital investment, making sure spend delivers clear value.
• Lead on the implementation of AI tools to enable the organisation to deliver more efficiently and effectively.
• Deliver a data and information strategy and operating model that is scalable, flexible and can interoperate with multiple partner organisations.
• Develop East West Rail’s data capabilities and embed a data led culture including treating data and information as strategic assets.
• Set data, information and quality standards and establish effective data and information governance and control across corporate systems, project and the supply chain, for example in line with ISO 19650.
• Deliver high quality data models – getting the best out of our Microsoft Azure environment and recent adoption of Microsoft Fabric.
• Enable high quality analytics and insight capabilities – making sure information is trusted, accessible and fit for purpose.
• Embed robust information security standards and practices.
• Ensure relevant asset and operational information is available and in suitable form for bringing the railway into operation and handing the physical asset over to the Assed Owner in a highly regulated environment.
• Deliver secure, resilient and scalable technology platforms, including an efficient, interoperable and effective technology architecture.
• Lead and own cyber security and information risk management, strategy and operations – building on our existing Secure by Design status to make sure East West Rail is a cyber secure organisation.
• Deliver a high-quality IT operational service to the organisation including end user computing, incident management, service desk, vendor performance and Disaster Recovery.
• Responsible for managing and supporting direct reports including: coaching and developing team members to drive individual growth and operational excellence.
• Leading continuous improvement, through regular performance management and ensuring compliance with organisation policies and updating relevant systems.

Requirements

• Deep expertise across digital, data, technology, information management and cyber security.
• Proven ability to build and mature digital capability and operating models from the ground up.
• Strong leadership, stakeholder engagement and influencing skills.
• Experience working across programme delivery, corporate functions and 3rd parties.
• A collaborative, adaptable, outcomes‑focused mindset with the confidence to challenge, innovate and set high standards.
• Experience in transport, infrastructure, construction or other regulated and safety‑critical sectors. (Desirable)

Tech Stack

• Azure
• Cyber Security

Benefits

• Competitive salary that reflects your skills and experience
• Up to 12% employer pension contribution to support your future
• 36 days annual leave (including bank holidays) plus the option to buy up to 2 extra days
• 2 volunteering days, a chance for you to give back to the community
• Enhanced family-friendly policies to support you and your loved ones
• Life assurance (4x your annual salary) for peace of mind
• Employee Assistance Programme for confidential support when you need it
• Access to Perkbox for a wide range of discounts and wellbeing benefits
• Recognition programme, including on-the-spot and annual awards
• Advanced learning and development opportunities to help you grow.