Director of data, analysis and technology Counter Terrorism Policing Headquarters

The HQ provides an extensive range of corporate and policy setting services both to the Counter Terrorism Policing network nationally, and for the Specialist Operations Business Group in the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS).

To achieve our ambition, we have taken a unique and novel approach. We have brought together all of our analytical, data, technology and scientific functions into one directorate at the core of our national network. This group is led by our director of data, analysis and technology, who is responsible for strategic leadership of all aspects of CTP’s capability in data, technology, analysis and science.

Line management responsibilities

The director of DDAT is one of four directors in Counter Terrorism Policing Headquarters (CTPHQ), working to the director general. The role has line management responsibilities that consist of a deputy director of technology [BB3] and a deputy director of data and analysis [BB3].

Attitudes and behaviours

In order to excel in this position, the director of DDAT is expected to uphold the highest levels of professionalism. They will communicate clearly and transparently in decision-making and maintain impartiality when dealing with colleagues, external partners and the public in a way that builds and maintains trust and confidence. They will lead and enable an inclusive organisational culture that promotes and supports IDE, leading by example, role modelling good practice, influencing, motivating and inspiring individuals and teams.

As a senior leader they will employ ethical strategies and approaches to achieve organisational aims and take ownership of incidents and events, fostering a culture that supports, prioritises and maintains workforce wellbeing and resilience. They will be a strategic thinker who looks ahead to understand future challenges and priorities, building collaborative partnerships across complex systems and political environments. To foster their own personal growth and improve as a leader they will also be expected to use reflection at all times and be open to feedback and other perspectives.

Main duties and responsibilities

Leadership and direction

• Lead the CTP data, analysis and technology group.
• Establish and develop new data-related capabilities and architecture, in conjunction with the Intelligence Agencies, the National Crime Agency and partners in policing.
• Oversee the development and delivery of CTP's technology requirements, investment and capability planning, in concert with CTP’s corporate and operational leadership and in concert with Intelligence Community partners.
• Oversight and support to CTP’s national digital intelligence collection and forensic capability, including technology and tool investment.
• Lead and sponsor the national analysis and research function, ensuring that organisational performance is monitored and meaningful insight is provided that informs strategy, planning, and operations
• Lead and sponsor CTP national scientific and R&D functions. Ensure these activities are fully integrated with national networks and develop partnerships with academia and industry.
• Oversee, operate and develop CTP’s assurance of emerging data-related technologies, ensuring safe, ethical and proportionate use, while maintaining an actively innovative approach.
• Chair the national digital, data, analysis and technology board.
• Lead engagement on reform of data-related legislation for CTP.
• To provide strategic oversight of digital delivery, technology, and of data-related transformation programmes within CT Policing. And of the continued development of analysis and research as an operational capability within the CT Policing network.
• Drive forward the design, establishment and operation of the Digital, Data, Analysis and Technology Directorate in the HQ.
• The director will lead for Counter Terrorism Policing on data and technology convergence opportunities for CTP and operational partners as part of police reform.

Governance, briefing and policy coordination

• Strategic oversight of CTP’s policy for the collection, management and storage of data across the Network, as part of CTP's executive leadership functions.
• Coordinate policy on compliance with all aspects of data and privacy legislation, through oversight of relevant processes.

Crisis and incident response

• Ensure readiness across all teams for fast‑paced incident response, including clear activation processes, debriefs, learning capture, continuous improvement

Organisational culture, people leadership and team development

• Lead, develop, recruit and retain a multi-skilled, diverse, insightful and influential directorate of high-performing individuals to provide a professional service to CTP’s HQ and national network. Put in place and maintain strong corporate approaches to directorate team leadership and management, ensuring colleagues’ successful work delivery in stretching and challenging roles, as well as ensuring professional development and personal resilience are supported and maintained.
• Provide visible and inclusive leadership that promotes a culture that supports wellbeing, diversity, inclusion, professionalism and high performance.
• Ensure teams have clear objectives and development pathways, as well as effective workforce planning, identifying opportunities for capability building and talent management.
• Role model CTPHQ values, behaviours and the code of ethics, setting clear expectations for conduct, collaboration and cross pillar working. Champion giving and receiving feedback to support professional and personal development.
• Steer Counter Terrorism Policing’s national people priority on ways of working.

Stakeholder engagement and relationship management 

• Partnership working is critical to success in this role. The post holder, working with director level equivalents in the Intelligence Agencies, will develop, oversee and drive forward the data and technology strategy for CT policing. They will need to ensure effective assurance of the integrity and compliance of all data held by CT Policing and to determine technology requirements for the future. In doing this the post holder will need to navigate complex governance arrangements, involving the Home Office, Cabinet Office, the National Police Chief’ Council (NPCC), the MPS, and the Mayor’s Office for Policing and Crime (MOPAC)
• Lead the CTP strategic data partnerships with UKIC, NPCC, HMG and the NCA at executive level. Develop and coordinate strategic policy, operational and best practice partnerships with the public and private sector.
• Membership of key national (including Minister-chaired) data and technology boards in the NPCC, the UK intelligence and national security community, Home Office and Cabinet Office.

Corporate responsibilities and organisational oversight

• Reporting on the range of data, technology and analysis issues as a member of NPCC's Counter Terrorism Committee (Chief Constables from across the CT Policing network)

Knowledge, skills and experience

Essential

• Demonstrable capability to lead, inspire and evolve a large and complex team across multiple locations.
• Excellent evidence-based strategic and analytical skills and a track record of translating strategic thinking into effective implementation, with experience of translating complex inputs into clear plans, and overseeing their effective delivery at scale.
• A highly effective collaborator with proven ability to solve complex problems and broker solutions across several agencies, and negotiate and influence within a challenging, executive and highly political environment.
• A track record of senior leadership and successful delivery in a similar or relevant complex organisation, with board level experience and/or the demonstrable capability to make that step up and rapidly gain the confidence of and exert influence with the network’s most senior leadership, and to represent CTP credibly to Ministers, government and operational partners.
• Senior leadership of strategic technology capability, investment and planning, and proficiency in establishing technology and/or security frameworks for a large organisation.

Desirable

• Senior leadership experience in the policing, law enforcement or national security community.
• Substantial insight in the digital and data strategies of the UK intelligence and national security community and policing.
• Leadership of analytical or research functions and sponsorship of professional practice, ideally in intelligence or investigative functions.
• Leadership experience in commissioning scientific and academic research, ideally in a national security, policing or defence function.
• Understanding of (and ideally previous involvement in) compliance and assurance in a law enforcement and/or national security environment.