The General Dental Council (GDC) sits at the heart of the UK's dental system, protecting patients and maintaining confidence in the professionals who deliver dental care to millions of people every year.

With a new strategy, Trusted and Effective 2026-2028 , and a renewed ambition to become a more agile, digitally enabled and insight-driven organisation, we are embarking on one of the most significant periods of change in our recent history. From transforming Fitness to Practise and registration services to harnessing the opportunities presented by data, automation and AI, we are reshaping how regulation is delivered for the benefit of patients, the profession and the public.

We are now seeking an Associate Director, Change & Digital Transformation to help lead this next chapter. Reporting to the Chief Operating Officer, this is a rare opportunity to influence at the highest level, drive and support organisation-wide transformation and leave a lasting legacy in a regulator with a clear public purpose. Could this be you?

About the role

Reporting directly to the Chief Operating Officer and working closely with the Executive Leadership Team, Council and senior stakeholders, this is a pivotal leadership position at the heart of the GDC's future.

You will provide strategic leadership and support for the organisation's change and transformation agenda, shaping and delivering a portfolio of enterprise-wide programmes that improve services, operating models and organisational effectiveness.

A significant focus will be on leading the transformation of key regulatory and customer-facing services, including Fitness to Practise, registration, customer journeys and process improvement. You will also play a leading role in developing the organisation's approach to digital transformation, ensuring that data, automation and AI are applied responsibly to improve outcomes for the public, dental professionals and our colleagues.

Beyond programme delivery, you will establish and embed a strong organisational change capability, helping leaders across the GDC develop the confidence, skills and culture needed to sustain transformational change and continuous improvement.

Leading a growing multidisciplinary function spanning change, programme management, business analysis and service design, you will be responsible for ensuring that transformation activity delivers measurable benefits and supports the successful delivery of the GDC's strategic ambitions.

What you will bring

Successful candidates will be able to demonstrate:

• Strategic Transformation Leadership: Significant experience leading enterprise-wide business and digital transformation programmes in complex organisations, translating strategic ambition into measurable organisational, service and customer outcomes.
• Change, Service & Operating Model Design: A proven track record of redesigning services, customer journeys and operating models at scale, applying continuous improvement methodologies such as Lean and Six Sigma to deliver measurable improvements in efficiency, effectiveness, user experience and organisational performance.
• Digital, Data & Innovation: Strong understanding of how digital technologies, data, automation and AI can be applied to modernise services, improve decision-making and support sustainable organisational transformation.
• Influence & Stakeholder Leadership: Credibility and experience working with executive teams, boards and senior stakeholders, building trust, influencing priorities and delivering change through partnership and collaboration.
• Organisational Change & Culture: Experience establishing and embedding change capability, continuous improvement disciplines and a culture that enables people to embrace, sustain and benefit from transformation.
• Leadership, Delivery & Benefits Realisation: A strong record of leading high-performing teams and transformation portfolios, with clear accountability for governance, investment, benefits realisation and value for money.

If you are an accomplished transformation leader who is excited by the opportunity to help shape the future of a national regulator and deliver change with real public impact, we would love to hear from you.

The GDC is committed to equality, diversity and inclusion and welcomes applications from all sections of the community. We are dedicated to creating an inclusive workplace where everyone can thrive.

This campaign is being supported by our advising consultants, GatenbySanderson. To arrange a confidential discussion, please do contact Sarah Luxford (Partner) or Duncan Ewart (Principle Researcher) at GeneralDentalAD@gatenbysanderson.com

To access the candidate pack which includes the full job description and guidance on how to apply, please click on the 'Apply' link below.

To view the job description and person specification, please scroll to the bottom of the page, tick to agree to the privacy policy, then click 'Continue to full details'.

Recruitment Timetable

Closing Date - Strictly
12 noon, Monday 28 September 2026

Longlist Meeting
w/c Monday 5 October 2026

Preliminary Interviews with GatenbySanderson
w/c Monday 12 October 2026

Shortlist Meeting
w/c Monday 19 October 2026

Psychometric Assessments
w/c Monday 26 October and w/c Monday 2 November 2026

Final Panel Interview
Early w/c Monday 9 November 2026

How to Apply

This is an online application process. GatenbySanderson is acting as an advisor to the General Dental Council on this appointment.

Registering and Creating an Account

You will need to create an account by clicking the red 'Create my Account' button on the right. Choose a username and password. Keep these safe as you will need your account details to access your application and receive messages from us securely.

GatenbySanderson will communicate with you throughout the process via notification messages in your account. You will receive emails to alert you to a new message, but you will need to login to your account to access it. This is to protect your privacy.

Once you have set up an account, you can log in at any time using the username and password you have created.

When you have satisfied yourself that you meet the role criteria and eligibility requirements, click on the red 'Apply Now' button.

Application Process

To apply please submit:

• A copy of your CV
• A supporting statement of not more than 3 pages, setting out why you are interested in this post and detailing how you can address the criteria in the Person Specification, with particular focus on the 6 criteria on Page 6 of this pack.
• Daytime, evening and/or mobile telephone numbers as well as your personal email address (to be used with discretion)
• A completed diversity monitoring form, this will appear on screen as part of the application process.

Once submitted, you cannot retrieve your application to make any further amends so ensure you are happy that it is fully complete. Please also allow yourself sufficient time to complete the process, particularly if you are unfamiliar with online recruitment processes. Your application must be received by the deadline of 12 noon, Monday 28th September 2026. We regret that late applications will not be accepted.

Should you have any problems submitting your application, please contact Emma Clark before the deadline for applications at emma.clark@gatenbysanderson.com

If you contact us following the deadline, we will be unable to accept your application.

After you have completed the Equal Opportunities information, you will see a confirmation screen acknowledging your application. You will also receive an email to the email address you provided, confirming receipt of your application. If you do not receive this acknowledgment immediately, please check your spam and, if you still cannot see it, please email emma.clark@gatenbysanderson.com.

Reasonable adjustments

Please can you let us know in your application if you require any reasonable adjustments to be made to assist you in completing the application, attending the interview, or any reasonable adjustments that would need to be made to the role or the working environment if your application is successful.

Please email Emma Clark at GatenbySanderson at emma.clark@gatenbysanderson.com