Chief Data Officer

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

Currently Police Scotland have guidance in place that allows appropriate roles to be operated on an agile basis, should you have an interest in working more flexibly then we would encourage your application