Chief Data Officer

Job Description

Police Scotland is now recruiting for a Chief Data Officer to lead our data driven initiatives. This is a business leadership role focused on leveraging data, AI and wider innovation to drive operational and business value to Police Scotland, foster a data-driven culture, and ensure the effective governance and utilisation of data across the organisation.

In this executive role you will contribute to the effective leadership of Police Scotland, maintaining a focus on its purpose and vision through rigorous analysis and challenge and the provision of professional advice, enabling decision-makers to take timely and informed business decisions.

As part of the team working in the Chief Data Office, you can make a real difference by supporting the provision of the Data Governance Framework across the data estate within the second largest police force in the UK.

Key Responsibilities –

• Accountable for developing, leading and delivering on all aspects of the data/information management strategy in line with the organisation’s strategic objectives and policing strategies
• Provide strategic leadership and governance for the ethical, lawful and transparent use of advanced analytics, automation and artificial intelligence, ensuring appropriate safeguards, bias mitigation and human oversight are embedded
• Provide leadership and direction in transforming the way we use data to support evidence-based decision-making at strategic, tactical and operational levels
• Lead Police Scotland’s data partnership ecosystem, enabling secure, ethical and outcome-focused data sharing across the justice system, wider public sector and trusted third-party partners
• Lead and develop the team to effectively deliver against agreed operational and strategic plans and measure effectiveness of these
• Influence national and local decision-making at executive, divisional and local boards on the strategic importance of data, AI and emerging technologies as an enabler to Police Scotland delivering against its organisational objectives
• Manage the financial resources allocated for Chief Data Office activities, including strategic budget planning (in excess of £10 million) and allocation of resources and will be responsible for managing and assessing risk within all areas of managerial/supervisory responsibility

What We Are Looking For –

• Experience of creating or running a business intelligence or data function
• Several years of demonstrated ability leading high-performance teams toward the successful attainment of challenging goals
• Strategic understanding of modern data platforms, analytics technologies, cloud-based architectures and AI-enabled services
• Able to work across business lines at a senior level to influence and effect change to achieve common goals
• Proven track record of leading complex, multidisciplinary data teams
• Ability to asset ideas and persuade others to gain support across an organisation or to adopt new behaviours
• Strong leadership, communication and negotiation skills with business and technical groups
• Demonstrable collaboration with strategic leaders to agree

Why join us?

• Competitive salary with annual increments
• Full-time or part-time shift patterns
• 28 days annual leave and 6 public holidays (increases with service)
• Local government pension scheme for long-term security
• Ongoing training to develop your skills
• Opportunities for career progression and professional growth
• Comprehensive wellbeing support and dynamic work environment
• Exclusive discounts and savings through our rewards and benefits network

Every role in Police Scotland plays a part in Keeping People Safe.

This is an opportunity to join a national organisation serving communities across Scotland, where integrity, fairness and respect are at the heart of everything we do.

Police Scotland serves over 5 million people across Scotland’s cities, towns, rural and island communities.

Our 2030 vision is for safer communities, less crime, supported victims and a thriving workforce. We are committed to equality, human rights and building a workforce that reflects the communities we serve.

You should have been resident in the UK for a minimum of five years immediately prior to application for this role