Chief of Digital Operations

Chief of Digital Operations

Derby (Hybrid - min 3 days on site)

Full Time

An exciting opportunity has arisen within the Central ET&S (Engineering, Technology and Safety) Digital Manufacturing team for a Chief of Digital Operations. This is a Senior Leadership Role reporting to the Head of Manufacturing Processes and Systems.

The ET&S Digital team is a delivery-focused group responsible for supporting, developing, and leading the deployment of digital solutions across the organisation.

Working closely with Information Technology, Design and Operations, the Chief of Digital Operations will be accountable for creating a comprehensive suite of digital capability that transforms the way that our domestic manufacturing footprint operates.

Why join Rolls-Royce?

At Rolls-Royce we are proud to be a business that has truly helped to shape the modern world and are committed to always being a force for progress; powering, protecting and connecting people everywhere.

By joining Rolls-Royce, you'll have the opportunity to work on world-class solutions, supported by a culture that believes individuality is our greatest strength, and all perspectives, experiences and backgrounds help us innovate and enable our high-performance culture.

Key Accountabilities:

As the Chief of Digital Operations, you will lead the team and have technical accountability for the creation and deployment of our digital capabilities within our domestic manufacturing ecosystem.

In this role, you will lead and develop a team of Digital Manufacturing Engineers operating across multiple manufacturing and assembly facilities, supporting major programmes both internally and within the external supply chain. You will also play a key role in the execution of the Group Digital & IT Strategy, ensuring alignment with business objectives and delivering measurable outcomes.

We are seeking candidates with strong experience in Digital Manufacturing, proven capability in programme leadership, and a successful track record of driving strategy and delivering results.

What you will be doing:

• Leading and developing a team of Digital Manufacturing Engineers across multiple manufacturing and assembly sites, supporting both internal operations and external supply chains.
• Collaborating with cross-functional teams including Group IT, Operations, PMO, and Finance to ensure alignment and effective delivery of digital initiatives.
• Championing the value and benefits of Digital Manufacturing across wider business functions to drive engagement and adoption.
• Supporting the development of critical Digital Manufacturing skills and digital awareness throughout the organisation at all levels.
• Managing relationships and communications with stakeholders at all levels of the business.
• Partnering with Digital Manufacturing Specialists to define, develop, and implement digital strategies and roadmaps.
• Accountable for ensuring that all technologies developed and deployed within the business are in full compliance to Health, Safety & Environmental Standards and meet the expectations of the Zero Harm programme.
• Accountable for ensuring that digital systems risks are understood and mitigated, and for promoting a product safety culture in the organisation.
• Create a culture of zero defects within the organisation. Ensure that digital systems within the business are developed and deployed to support Right First Time manufacture.
• Operate as an active member of the global Digital Manufacturing leadership team, supporting cross-business and sector collaboration, knowledge sharing, skills and process development to best utilise the available resources to deliver business needs and priorities.

Preferred requirements:

• Strong knowledge of Digital Manufacturing implementation processes and best practices.
• Demonstrated ability to influence working practices and drive cultural and operational change.
• Proven experience managing multiple workstreams and balancing priorities across complex stakeholder groups.
• Excellent communication, interpersonal, and relationship-building skills across all organisational levels.
• Experience in leading change initiatives, ideally within operational or manufacturing environments.
• Demonstrated experience in training, mentoring, and coaching others to develop capability and embed new ways of working.
• Project Planning and control techniques
• Broad knowledge of Manufacturing Engineering Processes
• Understanding for driving Operational Performance

Please be aware that the priority will be given to employees identified as being at high risk. 

The professional level and salary of the position will be dependent on the skills and experience of the successful candidate but is anticipated to be Level B.

We encourage applications from candidates with relevant experience from any grade.

It is advised that you inform your current manager of your application for this role. 

Our vision is to ensure that the excellence and ingenuity that shaped our history continues into our future. Our multi-year transformation programme aims to turn Rolls-Royce into a high-performing, competitive, resilient and growing company. Join us, and it can be your future vision too.

Rolls-Royce are committed to being a respectful, inclusive, and non-discriminatory workplace where individuality is valued, diverse perspectives fuel innovation, and everyone can thrive.

You can learn more about our global Inclusion strategy here.

Grade: Level B

Closing Date: 11th January 2026

For further information please contact: Ryan Harlow

Recruiter: Alison Haw – [email protected]