Geospatial Lead
| Posting date: | 14 January 2026 |
|---|---|
| Salary: | £67,730 to £75,480 per year |
| Additional salary information: | National: £67,730 - £75,480 London: £73,165 - £81,535 For details of our pay on appointment policy, please see below under the heading ‘Salary’. |
| Hours: | Full time |
| Closing date: | 26 January 2026 |
| Location: | Exeter |
| Company: | Government Recruitment Service |
| Job type: | Permanent |
| Job reference: | 443488/4 |
Summary
Defra is the UK government department responsible for protecting the environment, supporting food and farming, and sustaining rural economies. The Geospatial (Land) Programme seeks an experienced strategic leader to develop geospatial data products and engage stakeholders. Its purpose is to develop and implement a Defra wide geospatial data product which brings together all Defra geospatial data in an accessible and standard product, for use across Defra and its ALBs, covering role areas, such as policy, analytical, enforcement and delivery teams to improve decision-making and avoid conflicting interventions.
The Geospatial Lead will work closely with the Delivery Partner on prioritisation, decision-making, design consultation, backlog reviews, and providing geospatial guidance. They will connect key stakeholders across Defra agencies, including RPA, Core Defra, APHA, EA, Natural England, Forestry Commission, and Forestry Research. A critical part of the role is translating technical terms for non-technical stakeholders to ensure alignment and readiness for change. The lead will also run working and advisory groups to support programme delivery.
The Geospatial Programme team sits within the Change Directorate and manages programme controls, business cases, funding bids, and the programme board. The Geospatial Lead will contribute expertise, present to senior stakeholders, and help drive delivery forward. The role combines geospatial product ownership with stakeholder management.
Key Responsibilities
- Create a common geospatial land base map to support Defra outcomes.
- Lead integration of foundational land datasets from ALBs and third parties into a single Defra Land Model, preventing duplication and maximizing investment.
- Ensure accurate, high-quality geospatial data that can be exploited to streamline grants, improve spatial targeting, reduce fraud and increase efficiencies.
- Develop and implement a common geospatial data standard framework in collaboration with DDTS and the Chief Data Office to enable data sharing across Defra and externally.
- Establish a Centre of Excellence to build capability and equip teams to use geospatial tools for all Defra and ALBs users.
- Provide product ownership suppliers and stakeholders including translating user needs into deliverables.
- Work closely with suppliers and delivery partners to define standards, quality expectations, and service levels, ensuring products meet vision and user/business needs.
- Lead stakeholder engagement, presenting updates, running benefit and solution workshops, and ensuring alignment across technical and non-technical audiences.
- Collaborate with commercial teams on statements of work and contract performance measures.
- Monitor and track business benefits, ensuring they are created, managed, and achieved.
- Analyse impacts of change, keeping stakeholders informed and involved throughout implementation.
- Champion user-focused design, listening to concerns and ensuring products deliver efficiency and accuracy.
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