Chief Information Officer

Package Description

In addition to your salary, we offer a range of benefits including:

• Great holiday benefits - most roles include 28 days annual leave every year on top of public (bank) holidays, increasing to 32 days after five years. In addition, there is a holiday purchase scheme allowing staff to purchase up to 5 additional days of leave each year.
• Excellent pension – everyone who works for us can join the national Local Government Pension Scheme, widely regarded as one of the best available.
• A full range of family friendly policies including enhanced maternity, adoption and paternity support and a childcare subsidy.
• Access to an award-winning employee benefits programme that includes a health cash plan, a low-cost bike purchase scheme as well as high street discounts and money off entertainment and travel.
• Salary sacrifice car scheme - eligible employees can access low‑cost leasing of electric and low‑emission vehicles.
• Blue Light Card - employees working within social care can qualify for an additional range of discounts from national retailers and local businesses.

Why join us? Along with more on our Benefits, discover why Working at the City Council could be the right move for you here Working at the Council | Milton Keynes

Our roles are either designated ‘site based’ or ‘home based’. ‘Site based’ roles can include up to two days a week working from home whilst ‘home based’ roles are based at home four days a week. Of course, managers designate which category roles are in based on the needs of the service and the circumstances.

Job Introduction

Shape the Future of Our City

We are seeking an outstanding Chief Information Officer (CIO) to lead digital innovation and technology transformation across Milton Keynes City Council.

This is a rare opportunity to play a pivotal role at the heart of a forward-thinking organisation, driving the adoption of emerging technologies, including AI and data-driven solutions, to improve outcomes for our residents, communities, and businesses.

Reporting to the Director of Finance and Resources, you will act as a strategic partner to the Chief Executive, Elected Members and Corporate Leadership Team. You will help deliver organisational transformation while ensuring that our technology platforms are secure, resilient, and future-ready.

If you would like an informal discussion about the role before applying, please contact lisa.hutchinson@milton-keynes.gov.uk to make arrangements.

Milton Keynes City Council’s ICT function has undergone significant modernisation, focused on building a secure, resilient, and future-ready digital foundation to support critical council services.

Key achievements include:

• Cloud Transformation: Transition from an on-premise Azure VMware Solution to a native Azure platform, delivering enhanced scalability, resilience, disaster recovery, and cost transparency
• Network Modernisation: Implementation of SD-WAN and consolidation of the wide area network to improve connectivity, performance, and sustainability
• Cyber Resilience: Strengthening of security through a refreshed Cyber Incident Response Plan, enhanced monitoring, and plans for a managed Security Operations Centre (SOC) with 24/7 incident response
• AI & Innovation: Scaling AI, particularly Copilot - from pilot initiatives into everyday use, supported by strong governance, risk frameworks, and benefits realisation
• Partnerships: Leveraging suppliers and external partners to accelerate innovation and integrate AI into core systems

Together, these initiatives position the Council to operate on a modern, secure, and resilient digital platform capable of supporting services in an increasingly complex environment.

Interviews for this role will be held on 10th July 2026

At Milton Keynes City Council, we aim to make a difference every day. We’re dedicated, respectful and collaborative. We act as one council, and we work hard to create cleaner, safer and healthier communities while tackling inequalities and supporting people to thrive.

Find out more about working with us here: www.mkcounciljobs.org.uk

Role Responsibilities

• Set Strategic Direction: Develop and deliver a bold, future-focused ICT and Digital Strategy aligned to Council ambitions
• Lead AI & Innovation: Drive the scalable, governed adoption of AI, automation, and data-driven solutions
• Deliver Transformation: Enable organisation-wide change through technology and digital services
• Ensure Service Excellence: Maintain high-performing, reliable ICT services across infrastructure, applications, and support
• Strengthen Cyber Security: Ensure robust, compliant, and resilient security frameworks aligned to best practice
• Lead People & Culture: Inspire and develop a high-performing, collaborative workforce
• Engage Stakeholders: Build effective relationships with Members, senior leaders, and external partners
• Drive Value: Manage significant budgets and supplier relationships to deliver value for money

Ideal Candidate

• Significant experience as a senior ICT leader, with a proven track record of delivering transformation across complex, multi-functional organisations
• Strong technical knowledge across cloud platforms (Azure), enterprise infrastructure, cyber security, networking (including SD-WAN), and digital service delivery
• Experience leading AI adoption and innovation, with a clear understanding of governance, risk, and value realisation
• A track record of delivering large-scale programmes and change, balancing competing priorities and managing risk effectively
• Strong commercial and financial acumen, including budget management and supplier oversight
• Excellent communication and influencing skills, with experience working with senior leaders and elected members
• A collaborative leadership style, with the ability to engage, inspire, and develop high-performing teams
• Sound judgement, resilience, and the ability to lead through complexity and ambiguity

About The Organisation

Milton Keynes City Council is a large, modern and financially stable employer with around 2,500 people working across our eight areas. Together we provide local residents and businesses with a wide range of important round-the-clock services and aim to make our city a better place to live.

We work hard because of the demands placed on us, like protecting children from harm or preventing homelessness. However, working for the city is always rewarding and everyone has the opportunity to make a real difference.

We’re very proud of our diversity and are committed to having a workforce that reflects the community we serve. Whatever your background, you will be welcome here if you share our values of being dedicated, respectful and collaborative.

We offer great training and support and because of the size and scale of the organisation there are always new opportunities to explore when it’s time for a new role.

If you’d like to know more about how we do things and what matters to us, take a look at our short booklet What makes us Milton Keynes City Council.