Head of Digital Capability

About the Role

The Head of Digital Capability – Submarines role is a hybrid position based in Derby, working three days a week on site. You will lead, develop and engage Digital personnel to meet current and future business requirements, deploy staff to approved activities, own part of the RRSL Digital strategy and ensure compliance throughout the lifecycle while delivering world‑class products and services that satisfy business needs and align with operating principles and other capability leads. Key accountabilities include providing technical leadership to the Digital resource group, creating and maintaining resource plans to meet delivery commitments, securing sufficient resources through subcontracting and recruitment in line with the digital supply‑chain model, and owning sections of the business strategy to identify required capabilities. You will also manage performance, set objectives via the Business Plan Deployment Process, develop team members professionally, ensure staff qualifications and competency through multi‑skilling and rotation, and support budgeting and capacity planning with Digital Business Managers. The role ensures professional standards by applying corporate methodology, regulatory requirements and corporate checks, while driving knowledge management, lessons learned and best‑practice sharing. You will lead efficiency improvements, continuous improvement initiatives and operational best practice, oversee the digital‑supply chain relationship, apply Health, Safety and Environment policies, and steer the digital communication strategy in collaboration with the business communications team. • Provide technical leadership and ensure process compliance across the digital lifecycle. • Create and maintain resource plans to meet delivery commitments. • Secure required resources through subcontracting and recruitment aligned with the digital supply‑chain model. • Own sections of the business strategy and identify necessary capabilities and resources. • Manage performance, set objectives and drive professional development of team members. • Ensure staff qualifications, competency and future skill sustainability via multi‑skilling and rotation. • Support budgeting, capacity planning and collaborate with Digital Business Managers. • Act as the primary communication hub for the Resource Group and manage functional interfaces. • Uphold corporate methodology, regulatory requirements and highest professional standards. • Lead continuous improvement initiatives and operational best practices. • Oversee the digital‑supply chain relationship and ensure effective integration. • Apply Health, Safety and Environment policies and promote continuous improvement. • Lead the digital communication strategy in partnership with the business communications team. • Build high‑performing teams and foster positive behavioural change. • Apply quality policies, process improvement techniques and a business‑centric mindset.

Key Responsibilities

• ▸technical leadership
• ▸resource planning
• ▸digital supply
• ▸continuous improvement
• ▸digital communication
• ▸performance management

What You Bring

The ideal candidate holds at least a UK BEng degree (higher degree preferred), demonstrates a strong understanding of digital technology, engineering judgement and sector knowledge, and possesses effective leadership skills. You should be capable of building high‑performing teams, applying quality policies and process improvement techniques, and have experience working in a digital team or organisation with a business‑centric mindset focused on delivery, cost, quality and value. Rolls‑Royce is an equal‑opportunity employer and requires candidates to obtain a Security Check clearance, which the company will support, and to be a UK national or a MoD‑approved dual national. For further information, contact Alison Connaughton. The position is graded at Management Level B, with posting dates from 03 Feb 2026 to 16 Feb 2026. • Drive knowledge management, lessons learned and best‑practice sharing. • Hold at least a UK BEng degree (higher degree preferred) with strong digital technology understanding. • Demonstrate engineering judgement, sector knowledge and effective leadership. • Possess experience in a digital team/organisation focused on delivery, cost and quality. • Obtain Security Check clearance (supported by Rolls‑Royce) and be a UK national or MoD‑approved dual national.

Requirements

• ▸beng
• ▸digital tech
• ▸leadership
• ▸security check
• ▸uk national
• ▸digital team

Benefits

Rolls‑Royce offers a culture of caring and belonging, listening, feedback and integrity, with continuous learning, career development, a competitive salary, bonus, employee assistance, discounts and hybrid working (average three days a week in the office). The company is committed to diversity and inclusion, encouraging applications from all backgrounds and supporting employees to reach their full potential.

Work Environment

Hybrid