Chief Digital and Data Officer (CDDO)
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- Employer:
- London Fire Brigade
- Location:
- Southwark, London
- Salary:
- Up to £139,000
- Closing date:
- 12 noon - Monday 8th June 2026
- Job Ref:
- GSe132519
Description
London Fire Brigade (LFB) is London’s fire and rescue service where staff are driven by a strong sense of purpose: to serve and protect London. As one of the world’s most complex urban environments, London presents an extraordinary risk profile. Its dense mix of high-rise and subterranean structures, critical infrastructure, iconic national institutions, and a diverse, rapidly-evolving population demand a fire and rescue service of exceptional capability.
As one of the busiest and largest firefighting and rescue organisations in the world, we operate across more than 100 locations across London and protect almost 10 million people. We employ nearly 6,000 staff across our operational team (our firefighters), control (our call handlers who answer your 999 calls) and our non-operational team (who work behind the scenes to support our front-line services, including HR, IT, Finance, Procurement, Property, Communications and more).
The environment in which we operate is ever-changing, and we recognise the need to change with it to offer the best possible service to our staff and to the communities we serve with the resources that are available to us. The Chief digital & Data Officer (CDDO) is a key appointment within the LFB, being the senior leader responsible for driving the LFB’s digital and data transformation. Our focus is on security, accessibility and efficiency of our digital services, ensuring that we not only protect our city but also make our services more user-friendly and responsive.
The post holder will embed a data-driven culture, modernise technology, and lead the cultural shift towards agility and user-centric service delivery. The role involves accountability and oversight of risk-critical ICT operations, including for the Brigade’s 999 command and control system, as well as cyber security. This role is a member of the Corporate Services senior management team and is accountable for the delivery of a refreshed digital strategy.
This is a newly created post and is an exciting opportunity to make a huge impact by supporting business delivery right across LFB. The right candidate will be an experienced digital and data leader with a proven track record of successful transformation in a complex, regulated and possibly public sector environment. The candidate must have a deep understanding of digital methodologies, technologies and data analytics, as well as the ability to lead both strategic and operational change.
Our ideal candidate will be a skilled communicator and a collaborative leader, capable of influencing a diverse range of stakeholders. They will be resilient, always acting with integrity with the ability to challenge when needed. We want people with a passion and drive to do the right thing and achieve the best results. As a senior leader in the LFB, you will also contribute to wider improvements across the Corporate Services Directorate and LFB as a whole.
We value the diversity of our employees and aim to recruit a workforce which reflects our diverse communities across London. The London Fire Commissioner is an Equal Opportunities Employer and we positively welcome applications from all suitably qualified individuals, irrespective of people's age, disability, gender, race or ethnicity, religion or belief, sexual orientation, or other personal circumstances. We have guidance in place to ensure that all applicants are treated fairly and consistently at every stage of the recruitment process, including the consideration of reasonable adjustments for people who have a disability.
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How to Apply
The LFB will be seeking to appoint based on a combination of your written application, a video submission, an EDI Panel, and a final panel interview.
First register on Gatenbysanderson website, and then submit the following to us no later than the stated closing date:
- A tailored CV (maximum of 2 pages in PDF format), setting out your work history (paid and voluntary), responsibilities and achievements as they relate to this role;
- A cover letter (maximum of 2 pages in PDF format), setting out your suitability for the post;
- To accompany your application, and to help bring it to life, we would like you to record a short video (of no more than 2 minutes in length) using the following link only: https://myint.video/a1bjRGNnDs. In that video you should address the following topic: Why are you applying to join LFB, and what experience will you bring of leading the transformation of a technology function?
When you follow the video link, you will have the opportunity to practice recording a video, and to test your equipment, using the practice questions below. These recordings are not submitted and are for preparation purposes only.
- Why would you like to work for us?
- What are your strengths and weaknesses?
Once you’ve completed the practice questions and feel confident, click “I’m ready, proceed to start.” You will then move on to the actual question, where you can record 5 takes and submit the version you are most satisfied with.
If your application is successful at shortlisting stage, you will be called forward for an EDI Panel and final panel interview. These are on the dates shown in the timetable, and more details of these panels which will be provided nearer the time.
You will also be asked if you are applying under the Disability Confident Scheme or Veterans Interview Schemes.
If you have any questions about the role itself, or would like an informal discussion around your application, please contact Duncan Collins via email at duncan.collins@gatenbysanderson.com or by calling 07586 705 475.