GDS – What it’s like to work at GDS

When you join GDS, you’ll solve some of the nation’s highest-priority digital challenges, helping millions of people access services they need.

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I’m a carer for a member of my family and GDS has always given me the respect, time and space to fulfil those responsibilities. Because I work flexibly, I’m able to do the work and create impact for the department – and I’m also able to fulfil my private roles that I need to do with my family.

Christopher Brown

Performance Analyst

Hear from our people

“GDS is…”

Wondering what GDS is really like? Get an inside look from members of our team, and hear about their experiences of work and life at GDS.

Our promise to you

Join GDS, and you’ll be part of rewarding work with impact on a national scale. We’re known for our ability to make things happen: to deliver exceptional digital initiatives at pace, right from the centre of government.

You’ll be joining a team with a recognised impact on innovation across UK government: for example, GOV.UK One Login recently won the Best use of Data, Science, and Technology Award at the UK Civil Service Awards.
You’ll be at the forefront of digital government globally: our work has seen the UK rank in the top 3 in the world this year in the OECD Digital Government Index.
And we help maximise each others’ impact as a team: we share insights and work at ‘Show the Thing’, our monthly platform for community discussion; and we learn from some of the most inspiring individuals across tech and digital every month via our Speaker Series.

Our lives outside our jobs are important.

An inclusive, kind workplace helps you succeed while you’re working, and switch off when you’re not. At GDS, you get to be flexible in where and when you work.

Hybrid working: GDS offers hybrid working for all employees. This means that everyone can spend some time working from home, as well as some time in their local office.

Working compressed or part-time hours, or job sharing
An inclusive environment, with – support for carers, parents and health conditions: your needs matter to us.

We want you to be able to leave GDS more expert than when you arrived. If you’re part of GDS, we’re invested in your growth. From world-class learning provision to career opportunities, we’ll work to support your development.

A minimum of 10 paid working days a year for you to focus on your learning and development
A personal L&D budget for you to use on courses, conferences, books and more
GDS Learning Days: twice yearly all-company development days with a choice of courses from world experts
Specialist training in your field, from technical expertise to design

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How you’ll be rewarded

On top of your salary, there’s a range of extra benefits and support for you at GDS:

the Civil Service Pension Scheme, with an average employer contribution rate of 27%
25 days annual leave – increasing by a day each year up to 30 days – plus an extra day off for the King’s birthday
flexible working choices like hybrid working, compressed or part-time hours and job sharing
an in-year bonus scheme
a personal training budget to support your development through courses, books or conferences
supportive financing for season ticket travel, eye care, cycle-to-work and much more
26 weeks full pay for maternity, adoption and shared parental leave, and 12 consecutive days for paternity leave